I have a dilemma, I have a Lionel Scale Dreyfuss Hudson that I purchased as new old stock from a dealer last year. The engine was never run and it looked like I removed it from its box and plastic protection for the first time.
The first time I put it on the track. (MTH Real Trax, 072 MTH switches, Z4000, isolated switched blocks, and Conventional operation). I raised the voltage to 10 volts and the Loco launched itself at break neck speed down the track. I tested the ten-volt speed through timed over distance methods to be about 40-scale mph and that’s the slowest it will run . (Note the engine was running light/no carsbut runs about the same speed with 5 or 6 cars in tow). It would not start below this voltage. The top speed observed via the same test method was about 130mph at 18 volts. The top speed seems normal to me.
I presented the issue to the forum and the consensus was that it might have a timing ring failure. This phenomenon was seen in other Lionel locomotives of that era. This turned out to NOT be the case with this loco. At the time all the normal maintenance and gear box cleaning/lubing procedures where carried out and also checking for any binding or out of square wheel/linkage issues. Nothing was found to be wrong or unusual with the engine.
The engine was then run for several hours at varying speeds/ voltages, directions and with different amounts of cars to give it a good break in. This netted a lower starting voltage of 9.5 volts but the same speed to voltage ratio. I then contacted E.R.R. as the forum members suggested and talked to the tech person and on his advise purchase a Cruise Commander M board for the loco as per his specifications. He also said the ERR modification would/does eliminate the use of the timing ring.
(NOTE this is not an ERR bashing post)
The Tech rep and ERR personnel where /are superb and very, very helpful. They helped me install the board and at one point talked me through the serial port wire install.
After installation the engine was tested in the same manner. The findings where that the engine didn’t start moving until the 15 volt level was achieved. The engine crawled along at what I believe to be a tested 3 MPH scale speed. The difference in the engine was unbelievable, smooth and steady, with no lurch and it would crawl very nicely. I then tested it at varying voltages and found it to run extremely slow in all voltages up to 18 volts. With a top speed of only 47mph at the 18v limit specified by ERR. ERR was contacted and further installation verification and diagnostics where performed. Every thing was in order and rechecked a half dozen more times. They suggested I send the engine and or board back to them and they would repair/replace what ever was necessary to fix/diagnose the engine.
I chose not to do so at that time because it was Christmas time and this engine was a gift for one of my boys. Move a head one year later to this year and the engine still runs slow and it has the same original lurch issues when the Lionel factory board is reinstalled again. The engine is a nice example of a Hudson but it has been a shelf queen for the most part of the year because of these issues. In original configuration if the engine is started on a curve it will string line a set of cars and in ERR configuration it can’t get out of its own way. For my boy it is a no win situation.
Since last year my boys have run the engine up to the max output voltage of the Z4000 to get some speed out of the engine. That’s about 4 volts higher than specified. (9 and 11 year old boys go figure). This over voltage has nuked the sound system and degraded its quality; it also has blown out some of the lighting on the engine.
My reason for the long story and long post is I want to change over /repair this engine for him so he can operate it like it was supposed to run.
I felt the background was needed to help with my options and dilemma.
Should/I have somebody gut and start all over with a new ERR system and sound system?
Should I see if a PS-2 or PS-3 system is available and can be adapted and installed in the engine?
Can the engine be set up to have a conventional E unit but with out all the electronics so it doesn’t lurch on start up?
My son prefers MTH PS-2, PS-3 Locomotive operating characteristics (speed control, 4 chuffs per revolution) to the Lionel Odyssey system in their Lionel engines. This is a big factor to him in the decision process also.
Cost could also be a factor in the rebuild decision.
What say yee? Your expertise, opinions, experiences and advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
