Lionel 384 Classics Set

So, nobody knows how to replace the pickup rollers?

I also noticed the gears on the drive wheels have grease/dirt caked onto the gears. What would be the easiest way to clean? Remove motor from shell, and run a toothbrush over the teeth?

Thanks,

JoeG

Joe,

Give them time, they will respond about the roller replacement. Maybe you can post a picture of two since there are a few different roller pick-up set ups.

As for the wheels, generally a Q-tip and some rubbing alcohol work wonders on the wheels. For general cleaning, there is no need to remove the motor. The Lionel Classics have traditional open-frame motors, so you can spin the wheels by hand.

My concern with the motor is if it has worn out a set of rollers, you should take the motor out and preform some maintenance on it. Check the brushes, the axle bearings, etc. Clean away the old gunked up lube and then give it some fresh lubricant.

Hope this helps some.

ARNO

ok thanks ARNO,

I did clean the wheels on engine, tender, and all cars. It was later that I noticed the grease caked up on the large gears on the drive wheels. Thanks for pointing out the brushes, axle bearings, etc. Rubbing Alcohol on these parts as well?

Thanks

Arno,

I went onto MTH 's website and could not find any disassembly/assembly instructions for the Motor. Do you know if they made these exactly like the originals? Maybe I could use one of those instruction sheets?

JoeG

JoeG,(Trainlover160)

What's the road name on the engine? All of the sets that I find back to 2008 have at least PS2. Do you have the box with the set number?

Jon G,

Would you know which motor is similar? The new TinPlate parts list doesn't have a 384 listed.

All,

This is the Lionel Classics 384 engine (gray with red stripe) tender and cars. This was made by MTH for Lionel I believe. I was going to contact Lionel to see if they have parts for it. It says Lionel lines. I think this engine was made in the late 80's or early 90's when MTH had their first agreement with Lionel. I think the number might be 6-13800. I am researching it to make sure.

Thanks everyone for your input.

JoeG

From JoeG's original discription, he has a Lionel Classic 1-384e (6-13101) circa 1989.

JonG, the current trains made by MTH are Lionel Corp Tinplate.

Here is a breakdown of the MTH timeline:

1984-1987 MTH started making SG trains (after acquiring the tooling from Williams)

1987-1992 LTI era Lionel Classics (MTH made for Lionel)

1996-2008 MTH Tinplate Traditions line

2009-current Lionel Corp Tinplate by MTH

JoeG,

Be aware that the parts for current MTH/LCT 384's will most likely not fit your LTI era 384's, or originals for that matter. Original parts and older repro parts should fit your loco. The LTI Lionel Classics are very true to the originals in design and reproduction.

ARNO

Called Lionel for the parts, and they did not have them and referred me Brassuers. They have them and are working up the pricing and part numbers for the pick-up rollers, pins, Motor Brushes and springs. Is it ok to clean the engine parts with rubbing alcohol?

JoeG

I use denatured alcohol for parts cleaning and track cleaning. Lower water content and no additives. Hardware and home stores have it. Flashes off nicely. be careful with cloths or swabs and fumes as it's flammable.

It's the old coleman stove fuel in generic form.

Olsen's Library has the parts diagrams for the original pre-war 384E and motors. Nice to find out they followed the original with these.

Arno,

Really cool that you have the catalog.I am going to have  to start looking from one! I ordered the parts and am awating them now. Thank you everyone!!

JoeG

Update on my set-

Called Lionel for parts and they suggested it was too old,and to call Brassuer for parts.

Ordered  pick up roller assemblies, motor brushes, and springs.

Checked Olsen Parts for diagram. Their diagram does not show internals like the motor or whistle, it only shows the outer engine and tender.

Received an email from Charles Ro, and they are selling off several old catalogs. I was able to purchase the 1989 Lionel Classics Catalog for $2.00.

The motors are separate on the pre-war and a lot of post war because they were used in many models. Check the STD motor links and determine which style that you have. Whistles may be the same. One item in many tenders.

Motor link   STD Motors

Whistle link  Lionel Pre war whistles