Lionel 11140 3 Truck Shay vibration noise (in reverse)

this may or may not help but check the 2 screws that hold the 3 cylinder block assembly to the engine if they loosen up they create issues.  if loose put a dab of locktite on threads keeps them snug yet removeable. other than that watch reciprocating areas and see if something is not right also as a heads up the 3 cylinder block crank has a weak area unsupported where brass gear meshes with motor gear under boiler shell mine broke in 2 but thanks to lionel reissuing them in legacy a year ago I was able to buy that assembly and my shay lives again.

good luck hope some or all helps

Thanks so much for the reply!  The cylinder assembly seems tight and the noise does seem to come from the area where the drive & cylinder gears mesh but I can feel the vibration at the top of the cylinders...do you think the motor might be a bit loose and causing this noise from inside the shell?   I have not pulled the shell off yet since the engine is not mine and did not want to that unless it would really help resolve the issue...

Thanks again,

Mike

I have never taken the boiler off so really cannot expand on that it is possible the motor came loose but would think it would possibly have same noise forward?

 do you have an engine cradle? if so turn engine upside down and run it slowly or if you have the engine bearing blocks that allows engine to run but goes no where that might help you locate the issue.

oh that cylinder block assembly it has screws that also hold the reciprocating assembly to it as well as I think 3 screws on the backside that hold that long metal rod in place to check them you have to remove the 2 screws holding the 3 cylinder block assembly to the engine.

while you have it off turn the crankshaft and see if you feel any binding in either direction of rotation hope these ideas help you locate the issue.  you might also run engine with that cylinder assembly off see if noise is still present if so a look into innards under boiler needs to be done.

that's all the ideas I have 

Thanks for the additional insights!  I'll check those things.  I have found in the past that a loose motor mount can result in different effects in different directions given the torque change on the motor.  The other challenge I have is I only have O-36 curves at home...really need to bring this to our club to fully check out...

Thanks again!

S/F Mike

Mike, let us know what you find.

It's like punctuation costs extra!