Lionel 2035 Steam Engine

Is it lubricated?  Is the commutator copper colored or black?  Do the brushes appear to be sunk in the brush holders (meaning they are worn)?  Sounds like it needs to be serviced.

Totally agree with Jon G and I've also seen  "E" units in disrepair cause the symptoms you're having.

@Dch112 posted:

Hi. Hope this the proper place to post this. I have Lionel 2035 steam engine. I noticed the last few weeks or so the engine has been slowing down in speed. Tonight it slowed down to the point close to a crawl, it actually stopped a couple of times. I put it in reverse and it moved much faster. Something is wrong but I don't what. Anyone have any ideas?

Here is a parts list if you need anything I use the traintender Jeff is a good supplier, sounds like it need a good cleaning and brushes. Hope this helps those are good running engines. Good Luck!

If you do order brushes, buy new springs as well.

Thanks for your responses. I'm going to open it up today. I'm really nervous about working on the 2035 as I once tried to take it a part and parts started falling out before I could see how to re-install it. One of the parts was a large lever I believe is part of the smoke unit. I had to have a repair man fix it. This was about 5 years ago. He has since retired. There is no longer anyone to repair trains in my area. The closest is about 120 miles. I know how to service the motor I just worry about putting it back to together. I've been watching Youtube videos. I think the e-unit is working fine, as it changes directions normal without problems. I do keep it lubricated. The smoke until isn't working to good either, but it works. Right now I just want to get the engine running like it use to.

@Dch112 posted:

...the engine has been slowing down in speed. Tonight it slowed down to the point close to a crawl, it actually stopped a couple of times. I put it in reverse and it moved much faster. Something is wrong but I don't what. Anyone have any ideas?

Brushes, springs, clean the commutator.  No major disassembly needed for this.

@charles mcdaniel posted:

...I've also seen  "E" units in disrepair cause the symptoms you're having.

Swap the two wires to the brushes to eliminate the E-unit as a cause.

If the operation continues like this after cleaning & lube, the wiring on the armature is breaking down.

I disassembled the 2035, noticed the commutator was dirty but I’ve seen worse. I cleaned it and the brushes. The brushes were just a hair over ¼” long. I don’t know what they are when new. The armature metal plates were very dirty, dusty, lint or whatever, cleaned that the best I could. I removed smoke unit clean it a little, didn’t open it though. Had a lot of trouble putting it back together especially the front part. Oiled it and put it on the track. It’s working good now. The E unit is working, but don’t know for how long. The 2035 is running  good in both forward and reverse now, and it’s smoking much better than before. Thanks all for your suggestions.

@Dch112 posted:

Thanks for your responses. I'm going to open it up today. I'm really nervous about working on the 2035 as I once tried to take it a part and parts started falling out before I could see how to re-install it. One of the parts was a large lever I believe is part of the smoke unit. I had to have a repair man fix it. This was about 5 years ago. He has since retired. There is no longer anyone to repair trains in my area. The closest is about 120 miles. I know how to service the motor I just worry about putting it back to together. I've been watching Youtube videos. I think the e-unit is working fine, as it changes directions normal without problems. I do keep it lubricated. The smoke until isn't working to good either, but it works. Right now I just want to get the engine running like it use to.

I've worked on a few @#2035s and it took me a while to get the hang of that smoke unit "bell" puffer. It's actually called "lever and piston assembly".

Hold the loco upside down and test-fit this smoke piston piece. Look for the place between the uppermost sliding rod and the next one down to slip into place. When you get it in, you should notice that it sticks out and pushes back and forth as the drive wheels move. Then you know you've got it in. The 2035 has a few drive parts, some thing that makes it look so good when it's moving. While you've got it apart and before reassembling, you might want to clean out the smoke unit; maybe even replacing the trad smoker with a replacement liquid unit, so easy to install and wow! Great smoke output...