Have you tried to lubricate the gears or axles? That might be the problem.

You should be able to remove the shell very easy with just a few screws, and add some lubricating oil to the gears and /or axles.

Lee Fritz

I've never heard anyone suggest that taking the Plymouth Switcher apart is easy Lee!   The gears are all in the bottom with the horizontal motor, you may be able to drop the bottom with the four screws and lube the gears.

Your correct John , I have not had the Plymouth switcher apart. I must have been thinking of the MP-15 by K-Line. 

Thanks for the heads up on the Plymouth switcher, as I have a set with one in it.

Lee Fritz

I've read posts here about motors going bad on the K Line Plymouth switchers. I also read that motors are readily available and relatively cheap. I would do as Lee and John have suggested, lubricate.

I had an issue with one of the K Line hand cars, three of the plastic mounting posts were broken, not keeping pressure on the drive gear. Without pulling my switcher out and inspecting it, I can't say if they are assembled the same. I corrected the issue with the hand car by super gluing the posts and re-assembling.

Don

I have the K-Line Porter and had to re-motor it (same motor/configuration as the Plymouth).  However, you can access the gears without opening it:

I poke some grease in on the gears with a toothpick. The motor has a dual shaft.  The axles can also be oiled from the outside.   But I believe the motors fail prematurely on these units,

Hope this helps!

Take care, Joe.

I believe you could get to the gears taking the four visible screws out, but I'm not 100% sure.  I've yet to disassemble my Plymouth for it's command upgrade, but other K-Line stuff has the same powertrain.  I have had my Porter apart, it's already received it's command upgrade.

Where can one get motors for the Kline Plymouth Switchers?

Just for my information only, just how do these things come apart?  I removed the 4 screws from the bottom (apparently this loco was assembled by elves)  attempted to drop the wheels away from the body, movement was about 2 inches which left me with a decision, pull harder or abandon the effort.  I deferred.  Oiled the axles and will try shoving grease past the power pickup to see if it helps.  

When I added tethers to my Plymouths (so I could MU them and retain contact over switches) I found that there are motor connections into the reverse board located in the cab. I wound up removing the cab and hood (in that order, the hood hooks under the front of the cab) to disconnect the plugs since there was very little slack in the factory wiring.

---PCJ