Legacy FA AA Set Lash-up Wheels Slip

Are you running them with Legacy or Bluetooth? If Legacy make sure both are programmed as Legacy engines and not the default Cab1.

Pete

@Norton posted:

Are you running them with Legacy or Bluetooth? If Legacy make sure both are programmed as Legacy engines and not the default Cab1.

Pete

Thank you Pete. It does it on Bluetooth I’ll check the remote

Others have reported issues with these engines running bluetooth. Maybe due to signal delays in reception between both engines.

Pete

That is not normal and I would not operate them together until you find a cause.  Some troubleshooting is in order.  I would keep them uncoupled and try different suggestions above.  This way you are not causing any strain on the one that is operating correctly.

Thank you Pete and Marty.

They are both in the CAB-2 as "Legacy".

When I operate them as a "train" but uncoupled and separated, one locomotive is always faster than the other. Are there any other troubleshooting recommendations? New Traction tires?

they should still be under warranty, perhaps I will reach out to Lionel. At least I now know this is not right how it is intended to operate.

These were a Nick Smith custom run, so I am unsure of the product number. Here is the link: http://www.nicholassmithtrains...A-AA-SET/LIO1933740/

If I had to venture a guess, one of the two has a motor that came loose.  Or maybe the tach reader and/or flyweel-tach.  I’ve had the former happen on three other F units, all of different vintages.

P.S. These are Alco FA1s or FA2s.  Not EMD F7s.  I only point that out because it might help you determine the product number.

Because this has Liondrive you can disconnect the trucks from the engine by twisting them 90 degrees. One way they only swing about 45 degrees. The correct way will allow near 90 degrees where you will feel some resistance. Just continue turning. Only pull down slightly as there well still be a few wires attached but that will be far enough that will allow you to turn the wheels making sure they are not binding and also turn the motor. This won’t void the warranty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1b7aUdUW38

Pete

@rplst8 posted:

If I had to venture a guess, one of the two has a motor that came loose.  Or maybe the tach reader and/or flyweel-tach.  I’ve had the former happen on three other F units, all of different vintages.

P.S. These are Alco FA1s or FA2s.  Not EMD F7s.  I only point that out because it might help you determine the product number.

I think you’re right about the sensor equipment because it’s only at low speeds and the run fine independently.

I am not sure how much poking around I want to do, so looks like these might be taking a trip south to Lionel repairs.

Thank you for your help and the clarification on the identification. I Really appreciate this community.

@Norton posted:

Because this has Liondrive you can disconnect the trucks from the engine by twisting them 90 degrees. One way they only swing about 45 degrees. The correct way will allow near 90 degrees where you will feel some resistance. Just continue turning. Only pull down slightly as there well still be a few wires attached but that will be far enough that will allow you to turn the wheels making sure they are not binding and also turn the motor. This won’t void the warranty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1b7aUdUW38

Pete

Thank you Pete, I fear it’s something with the electronics because I can run each engine separately with no issues. Only as a lash-up do I have the problem. However, I am going to give this a try to get to know the units better.

Tony I love these engines!  Did you ever take Pete's (Norton) suggestion and run it with the CAB-2 remote?  Also, what happens if you make them a TR(ain) but don't couple them and run them 6 inches apart?  Just thinking aloud here.  Although it's pretty easy to remove the trucks, personally I would experiment some more on the track before I tried taking them apart.

@Ted S posted:

Tony I love these engines!  Did you ever take Pete's (Norton) suggestion and run it with the CAB-2 remote?  Also, what happens if you make them a TR(ain) but don't couple them and run them 6 inches apart?  Just thinking aloud here.  Although it's pretty easy to remove the trucks, personally I would experiment some more on the track before I tried taking them apart.

Thanks Ted. These are among the my favorite in the collection.

Cab-2

I did check, they are programed as two separate locos as legacy.

6 inches apart

When I run them as a train but 6 inches apart, they both operate normally, only one is faster than the other.

One other thing.

I was just playing around and noticed that the engines synchronize their speed almost exactly when the speed hits 30 on the Cab-2. Then they go out of sync when slowed back down under 30. Could there be a speed step setting? I reset both to factory defaults.

Tony,

     Use the same Engine ID in both A units. Lionel designed them to run as a set one unit starts in forward and the other starts in reverse. I would program each A unit to ID# 30. Place the A unit that starts in forward in front and the A unit that starts in reverse following, address them as engine #30. The units should be back to back. Leave them un-coupled and start them in forward. Test them at different speeds and different momentum settings. The engines should stay relatively close to each other change directions etc and note any separations larger than a few inches. If they do separate significantly in a few laps if your layout is small or one lap if the layout is large give Lionel a call or if you live in the NJ/Eastern Pa give Alex M or GRJ a call to take a look at them. The more info you can give them the better include the Lionel Part number for the engines. If you are running them in Legacy using a Cab2 try running using Bluetooth. Good luck

JohnB

I had the same problem with my 2020 Legacy E8 AA set (see my video in that thread…just like yours). Spoke with Dave Olsen and they had to be sent back and be reprogrammed. It seems there were a few misses on the new Legacy electronics. For example, there is no air brake release sound when the engine starts rolling, and the Rule 17 function does not work. I got my set back and the problem was fixed.

Here’s a link to the previous discussion: https://ogrforum.com/...c/153040682356460301

Tony any update on your issue?

@JamesRx posted:

Tony any update on your issue?

The locomotives are in the Lionel warranty service dept.’s hands now. I expect them back in two months.