LionChief GP7 Wobble

HI, Yeah we could send a man to the Moon but we can't to seem to make tracking tire for for our Train.  Just change them out they dry out over time.

Thanks, John 

Wobbles on a perfectly straight, smooth track?  Hmmm?  My LC+ UP GP7 arrived today and it is running like a champ.  I had a ATSF version a couple of weeks ago that arrived with in less perfect shape, lost a couple of screws in the initial run, gears jammed, and then had a short of some sort.  It went back to retailer.   So, batting .500 at the moment with Lionel QC On this version.  Had a ATSF Mikado LC+ two weeks ago, and smoker gave up the ghost in the first weekend.  Went back to retailer, and UPS says new one will be here next week.  Not sure what the Chinese equivalent of Super Bowl is, but apparently some of these were assembled the day after!  

The tires get flatspotted while the loco sits in the box for however many weeks/ months from the time its manufactured until the day you buy it and take it out.

I've never had a scale diesel that didn't have at least a small amount of wobble when first placed on the track. Some run time, or some time on a shelf on the flanges, instead of the tire usually eliminates the wobble.

This is not an issue for steamers, between the larger diameter of the wheel and heavier weight of their diecast nature compressing the tire on the track. Any flatspot on a steamer is usually undetectable.

Thanks!!! Guess I have a good excuse to run the trains with my son tonight!

I had two early LC+ GP7s, both UP.  One of them wobbled badly, the other just a bit.  It was indeed poorly fitted traction tires.  I worked the traction tires fully into their slots on the wheels, and the wobble went away.  Both locos had gearing that jammed and defies all my efforts to free it, but that is another matter (I hope since corrected by Lionel). 

Turn it up side down and run it with jumper cables if you can't find a problem with the tires. Look down at the wheels while they rotate, I once had a MTH with a bent axle and a Lionel Polar Express steam with a defective wheel.

My LionChief GP7 also came with a wobble.   I worked the traction tires a bit to restretch them so they fit more evenly in the slot.   That helped some.   Then running a good bit helped almost all of the remaining wobble disappear.  Mine runs very smooth, but is noisier than my other LC+ locos.

Well, I think the problem may be worse than I thought. The stuttering problem is being caused by one of the trucks not operating smoothly. I flipped the engine over on a bench and put power to it. The wheels on the rear truck run smoothly at all speeds. The ones on the front truck move and stop, move and stop.

The engine seems so complex, I am hesitant to start ripping it apart. Any ideas on where I should start?

My son wants a GP7 because he saw one prominently featured in a "I Love Toy Trains" video.  An LC+ with the new controller would be perfect for a kid but I continue to see problems posted here with that model.  It's unfortunate.  I am rooting for Lionel but they need to get these straightened out.  

To the original poster, I would not mess with it.  You paid hard-earned dollars for a product and it should operate properly.  While it is a toy (and certainly problems with a toy are minor overall), I would make Lionel or the dealer replace it or repair it.  

If in doubt, send it back.  No, it is not a $1,000+ big boy, but at $300 it shouldn't give you grief.   I have dealt with several of the big on-line train retailers, and they made it right when something didn't seem right.  I have also read about successful resolutions dealing directly with Lionel.  Might even be the quickest way to get a resolution.   Ran my new UP GP7 again tonight, and no problems whatsoever.   I love the LC+ concept, simple constant voltage to the track, handheld remote.  

Hello guys and gals

Is there any problems like that on the LC 4-6-2 or 2-8-2's ? I am interesting in purchasing

one of them. I never had one of the LC engine before. 

Tiffany

Tiffany, I have not had problems with any of the steamers, I own one of each.  Traction tires have been perfect.  Love them!  -Ken

While I am having problems with my GP7, my LionChief Plus Hudson is fantastic. No problems at all and very powerful.

Well, I hate to say it, but that is how the problem with my two started, before thye "stutter" stopped, because that truck totally locked.  

They are not a nightmare to take apart but they are complex.  There are a lot of screws to remove (I don't remember the details), some tight fits to pry loose, etc..  There is stuff (small circuit boards, wires, lights, glued to the ceiling on the body which means you have to be a bit careful with and that is annoying because the wires keep body close to the chassis as you are trying to inspect it (there are clips that can be undone but I have learned to avoid fiddling with them, because frankly many seem to have been made to assemble once and never take apart again). 

I worked a long time to try to disassemble, find the problem and fix one of mine.  It defied everything I can do.  I'm pretty bummed about it and plan a second round with it soon.  In the meantime, I'm not buying any LC+ diesels until my pre-order set of FAs arrives.