Legacy F-3 don't move when powered up

Don't Fret... Check the traction tires are not interfering with the truck brake shoes. This was a known issue that the tires were too large in profile and caused the motors to bind.

RRaddict2,

If you are using a CAB2 remote make sure the train brake is not on. If you used it the last time you ran the engine slide the brake up and down a few times as they do stick every now and then.

JohnB

I had same issue with mine, rraddict2.  It was the traction tires binding. You'll need to remove them and leave off or replace with newer tighter fit ones.

Also be aware of what JohnB said as I too had that issue didn't know what the heck was going on and it was the train brake slider on left of cab-2.

Thanks, but I am not familiar with any sort of brakes at all. This was tested in conventional mode. If any one can supply a picture of the brake that would be great.

Do I need to get different tires other than the spares that came with the locomotive?

What the previous posters are trying to tell you is the traction tires supplied with this production run of F units were oversized. This makes them physically rub on the simulated brake shoes cast into the side-frames. it is not an electronic issue and will occur in conventional and command operating modes.

MTH traction tires are a good replacement for these.

Thanks so much and I have a bunch of MTH traction tires. I just couldn't figure out what it could be as I could hear the motors moving.  I just hope I didn't mess anything up when I removed the truck to see if something was binding the gears. I will change the tires and post the results.

I changed the traction tires and the locomotive runs great.  Thanks to all here, you all saved me a lot of time and aggravation. One other thing how did these get out of the factory with the wrong size tires?  These tires were very thick and big like I had never seen before. Thanks again!

I have replaced many tires on those engines.  Use the MTH tires and you will be a very happy camper.

Marty Fitzhenry posted:

I have replaced many tires on those engines.  Use the MTH tires and you will be a very happy camper.

Which MTH tire is the correct fit? Part #?

Thanks!

I use the MTH diesel tires on these, MTH DE-0000018.

MTH Part # DE-0000018   

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I use the MTH diesel tires on these, MTH DE-0000018.

RRaddict2 posted:

MTH Part # DE-0000018   

Great! That's the one I ordered! It's been a couple weeks so I wonder if they are back ordered.

Those tires are always available.  If you have any MTH engines, you should have spares in the box.  The MTH tire is perfect.  I have about 50 Lionel diesels and everyone of them have these tires.