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Just picked up this set and it is very nice except that we noticed that the NON-PWD B unit in the set has a tremendous wobble when running. I have attached a video here to illustrate. Any feedback is appreciated before we try our own fixes. By the way this is a replacement unit since the the other one we had did the same thing and the replacement unit is also wobbling. We are using Atlas Track, the Powered unit runs fine even on it own.

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Budd Car Wobble
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Without knowing the exact cause (or your level of discretionary wealth, or your mechanical skill), buy a couple of extra trucks from Lionel parts:

cs-48-2335070-770-p4-WHEEL NON POWERED TRUCK w/ COUPLER AND PICK UP / RDC BUDD

Pick the smoothest-running ones and install them on one non-powered unit to make a "good" one.  Then dump what's left over on a popular auction site WITH FULL DISCLOSURE.  We don't need to be passing on frustration within the hobby!  What's more you had best hurry, before everyone else does the same thing and the parts are out of stock.  Sad state of affairs. 

Last edited by Ted S

I did see the parts on the Lionel site - I will call them as I picked the units up Brand new 2 days ago - they just arrived form Lionel and have already swapped the NON-PWD CAR for another BRAND NEW one and it has the same problem. Quality Control is NOT where it needs to be for a Brand new $500+ set.

Hoping Lionel will just send me some new trucks but I am guessing they will want me to SHIP the whole Set back to them for a "long wait" warranty repair.

I do love the Lionel product except for these type situations. Part of the fun is figuring out these types of issues just like a Real Railroad. I just think there has to be a better way to deal with these types of issues that does not cause so much pain on the customer especially when we are willing to help out and fix what we can. This car is NOT Complicated the trucks are simply "out of whack" and need to be replaced.

Very interested to see if others run into these issues - Hoping this is NOT another RMT (Ready Made Trains) situation.

Thanks to ALL for listening !!

Just got mine today, got the NH pair and the single car. The non-powered car is awful. The powered car does do it, but it hardly noticeable. The single powered car does it as well, but mid way between the other two with it’s wobble amount. If I put it on the table and push it while running on flanges it’s just fine. Only does it on my track, also Atlas track. I am very unhappy as they look and sound good. Did you get any fix?

Agree it has to do with the way they run on the flanges and seems that Atlas track brings it out. What I ended up doing is opening the non powered car and I filled it with people and I added  (4) 1 oz weights as well and the pair are running much better, still a bit of a wobble but it is tolerable. I plan to fill the powered unit with people next and see if there is any more improvement. I am suprised more people are not talking about it so I assumed it was just me having the issue.

Last edited by Maddog Steel

I took the side frame off of one of the trucks and looked closely, the wheel are not perpendicular to the axle, so they wheel sets were not pressed together right. I wonder how they do on the round Fastrack profile. Seems sad if they work there but not Atlas. So annoying as I can’t even run the car. That’s a lot of weight I’d have to add to make it stop.

Latest update on this, I got 2 sets of new trucks from Lionel (they were very accommodating) to fix the wobbly trucks on the car and both sets wobble on their own (4 complete truck sets - all wobble). I tested them on our Atlas track and they wobble, I then tested them on some Fast Track we used for our Trolley run and the DO NOT Wobble. I have reported this all back to Lionel and I asked that they pass this info on to Engineering so we can try to keep this form happening on future products. Looks like they ride OK on Tube Track but not so good on Flat Track like Atlas, Ross, Gargraves etc..  Looks like I will live with some wobble at this point on our dummy car.

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