lionel 18001 Rock Island Northern from the late 1980's

I have the 18003 Lackawanna.  It is indeed a beauty.  Both are available as NOS in several venues.  I think 150 to fix one up is well worth it imho.  It is best to go with an experienced repair man.

Mine runs ok but sounds like it's grinding up rocks, I run it frequently though.

This was one of the last made in America engines for Lionel. The castings for the engine were full of grind marks and irregularities. Richard Kughn soon made a deal with Mike Wolf to have the die cast steam engines made in Korea by Samhongsa. The subsequent engines including the Reading T-1, Chessie Steam Special and several others were beautifully made with perfect castings that put the Rock Island to shame. These engines also ran well and put Lionel in a good place until they shot themselves in the foot by ending the relationship with Mike Wolf who in 1994 brought out his own line of engines.

Ummm... pretty sure Lionel made engines in both the U.S. and Korea up through 2001.

Jon

I have all 3 versions of this loco, the Rock Island, The Lackawanna and the Northern Pacific.

I serviced mine with new oil and red and tacky #2 grease, and they all run smoothly! Never had a problem with the bearings.

I know Jim Barrett did an article on changing the bearings years ago, because the wrong one is printed in the schematic.

I would be far cheaper to just put a new motor in it for about $55.00...

Marty

I have the 18003 DL&W, bought it new (& cheap) in the late 90's, had the armature bearing fix done, a' la Barrett, before I ran it and it has always run well since. Ran it today in fact.       I know it's old technology but I just like it.