Better ops from first run AF U33c and SD70ACe

Sounds like a great idea. Carl Tuveson has a fix for this also on his website but it is very involved. Thanks for the tip.

 

Rich

 

I went to the Lionel site, I could find no such part listed in the parts directory.

Ray

That # was copied and pasted from the Lionel web site and I have purchased a few.  Try searching on U33c, go to one of the Flyer models (I used the SP on the third page), click on View Parts next to six wheel power truck.  It is #6 on the parts diagram.  There's also the 2052 with magnet for $7.20.

Hi Sgaugian,

 

"Remove the now bare (formerly full-width pulmor band clad) wheel by twisting it off the axle with your hand.  Replace it with the solid steel counterpart from one of the replacement wheel sets."

 

I have purchased the wheel sets you suggested. First issue U33's are to be modified, as per your instructions. If you could, would you clarify what you mean by "twisting it off the axle with your hand". My sample will not budge by hand. Does one require a wheel puller or other tools for gripping the axle and wheel for this step?

 

Thanks in advance for your suggestion and help.

 

Bob 

Bob,

The wheel on the end of the axle without the gear will pull off if you grab it with your hand, twist, and pull.  IOW, the right wheel in the attached photo.  The wheel on the gear end of the axle does require a wheel/gear puller to remove it, and that is used to upgrade an early run AF SD70ACe in a similar fashion.  Hope that helps.  

 

BTW - I see now where this wheel set is no longer available from Lionel.  I hope that's not from anyone hoarding these to sell them at marked-up prices.  Not inferring that it was you Bob, but anyone.  Wouldn't be the first time.  Sucks anytime it happens.  I mean really.  To those who can't help themselves, get a life.    

 

My friend and I have now refitted our two U33's as per Sgaugian's instructions posted above. My U33C generally ran pretty well, but my friend's had a severe case of the herky-gerkies on Gilbert track. Both engines now run without any difficulties on Gilbert track and turnouts. One may still need to keep an eye on track cleanliness. The wheels on our 640-8142-051 sets would not twist off by hand, but if one starts the process of removal by tapping on the end of the axle with a small diameter nail driver, they are easily removed. 

 

I bought just enough wheel sets to retrofit our two engines. I do not believe that there is any great conspiracy about the wheel set availability. Lionel obtains its spare parts by disassembling finished pieces and, then, carefully bagging and inventorying the cannibalized parts. As a consequence, the supply was likely to be limited to start with.

 

Thanks, Sgaugian, for passing along this procedure for this important retrofit. 

 

Bob

Apparently, I bought the last 2 wheelsets last week for my EL U33C as they were no longer available after that. Thanks for the info SGaugian.

 

Rich

You're welcome guys.  Glad it's helping you out. I did my U-boat and SD70 and then a customer's and observed the difference in them before posting. The 640-8142-052 wheel set with magnet for $7.20 works as well.  

Sgaugian - I write the Roundhouse for the S Gaugian Magazine.  I have just followed the instrctions to complete this proceedure on my two U33 and two SD70s.  It worked fine and I like to write about this is a subject for my column.  Of course I will credit you and this website for finding out about it.  

 

I would like to make contact with you so I can credit you by name.  contact me at billstrains@aol.com please.

 

Thanks

Thanks Bill.  Great talking with you last night.

Some Bad News - Lionel is out of both wheel sets that are needed to do this great fix.  I am in contact with the Service Manager if Lionel to see if more are ever going to be available.  I will keep this site updated when I know more.

I met with Lioenl at York and discussed the need for more solid wheels to fix this issue.  My contact was Matt Ashiba, Director of Product Planning.  He said he would look into it.  I also sent him the message from Sgaugian that started this conversation.

 

I did think of a sourse for the wheels today and checked it out.  The non powered units of these engines have 12 solid wheels.  I looked at my UP SD70 non powered unit to be sure.  So there is a souce for wheels for you guys that couldn't get the wheels from Lionel before they were gone who also happened to have a non powered locomotive.

The engines operate OK as delivered and as designed.  Most products produced can be improved upon though.  This conversation is about improving the operation of the early issues of these locomotives.  

Lionel has improved the later ones and the new ES44.

Just thought I'd follow-up on this with my test runs of my recently purchased AF LV ES44ac on our club (less than perfect track work) layout.  It ran without any interruptions to the sound system or any stalling.  It ran fine.  This engine, knock on wood, runs and ran well without modification out-of-the box even under less than ideal conditions.  First one, but finally.  The closest to this otherwise so far was the N&W Y3 which only "required" me to improve its smoke production.  Otherwise flawless also.  Early SD70 and U33c units, Challengers, and Big Boy -- a different story, at least for me, but now enjoy running all of them now too.  Thanks Lionel for providing new motive power and improving them along the way.  

Sgaugian, what problem did you encounter with the smoke production on the Y3A and what was the solution? I was pretty satisfied with mine out of the box.

FlyerRich, 

Which road name and cab numbers is your Y3?  Mine is the first available N&W with cab number 2009.  Thanks.

That's quite the smoke output! Is that running conventional? I have the Pennsylvania #6-48179 but nowhere near that kind of runtime.

Thanks.  Legacy mode.