Found a postwar steam locomotive in good shape its a lionel 2026 from 1951-52 but she stopped running i can spin the drive wheels halfway by hand but get nothing under track power
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sounds like a wire came off, have you taken the shell off? had the same thing happen to my 675 when I first got it.
A 51-52 2026 does not have eccentric rods, so they cannot be causing your problem.
If the drive wheels will not turn, then look for something caught in the mechanism.
Common problems would be something in the gear teeth, or in the path of the armature.
Look for signs that there is hair or tinsel wrapped around the drive wheel's axle.
Is a wheel severely bent to the point where it is preventing the wheels from turning?
Another thought: could be something preventing the drive rods from moving all the way?
I have seen problems where the smoke unit piston lever prevented the drive rods from going forward all they way. (It was not installed correctly)
Is there a hum?
Have you tried the E-Unit switch?
Is the headlamp illuminating?
Is the smoke unit working?
Do you have power to the track?
What transformer(s) are you using?
It sounds like one of the rod eccentrics is out of sorts or there is something physically binding the gears and is not letting the wheels make a complete revolution. Can you post pics of both sides of the engine wheels?
I've never tried removing the shell nor do I believe I have the skill to carryout repairs I have been in the hobby for part of my life since i was 8 i did notice a center wheel wobbling on the right side she ran fine before i set her on her side two years ago
she ran at the show just fine and at home john
I'll bet you do have the skills. nothing easier than Postwar Lionel to get your feet wet.
i have never tried fixing anything i was born with a mild physical disability i wouldn't want to make things worse inside the engine
well look at it this way....it's not running now, so what do you have to loose? I'm not talking about tearing the engine down completely, just take the shell off. If it is a broken wire, you should spot it easily. If it is a side rod binding, before you remove the shell, just gently move the wheels back and forth and look for something binding. These engine have just a few screws and a pin holding the shell on. And don't worry if you feel like you're over your head...you've got the best support team on the net right here. take pics of anything you find or think is wrong. some one will chime in and lead you thru it. we all had to learn!
ill keep you guys posted i know there are two screws near the cylinders and one on the boiler ill start with that and take photos as i do things
Here is an easy way to check for side rod binding: remove them.
On a 1952 version of the 2026, each side rod is held on by one hex head shouldered screw. Remove the screws. The cross heads should just slide off their guides now. (You may have to rotate the wheels a bit for clearance).
(Heck, are the hex head screws on the front wheels hitting a bent cross head guide?)
Do the wheels turn freely now? If so, then you have identified your problem.
I use a nutdriver to remove hex head side rod screws.
I hired a technician at work, with a fine resume, and noticed he didn't know which way to turn a wrench to get a nut off.
Good grief, even if you mess it up, you will learn something. Go for it. Or if you are really afraid, go to a train show and buy a junker and have at it.
Met this guy at a house warming party, only to find out like three hours later he is a major Lionel nut too. Then if I go to DuPage County he is one of the sellers. And he says it is hard to sell anything postwar American Flyer any more unless it is in really good shape. Some of the stuff he is selling was from a widow who waited too long to clear it out for sentimental reasons. I can tell already my wife won't have any issue with that.
I know what you mean Michael. with the loss of my Uncle this spring, Dad and I are the only ones these trains mean anything to.
Make as many mistakes as you possibly can.Each time you will know the right way to do it.Nick
Trainguy, are you in western Iowa?
ross im in cedar rapids iowa
Nebraska-Iowa Railroaders has some people that could help you, but the club is in Council Bluffs.
As many have already said, it's not running now, so what do you have to lose? Apart from what has been already said, make notes on what you do, take your time and look for the obvious. It's NOT rocket science. Go for it! You can do it!
Simon
I was nervous too the first time I took my 2026 apart. Start with removing all the screws in the front, I believe there are 7. And then let the front of the wheel set hinge away until you can clear the back from that horizontal rod. Be careful not to bend your e-unit switch. That can be a bugger to fix.
There are two screws for the lead truck, two screws for the side rod guides, and two screws for the steam chest. Then remove the screw from the top of the engine. Get in there and have fun.
