Lionel 6-18046 Wabash Hudson. Help Me!

Is this a Lionel C&O "Yellowbelly" steam engine? If so, I'd check to see whether any side rod screws have backed out to jam the motion of the rods or possibly the main eccentric screw has dropped out.....

Actually this would apply to any steam engine....

No this is the Wabash Hudson from 1996. Also, nothing has dropped out of the locomotive. It is still intact. I believe there is a problem with the motor. 

2046 shell and mechanism.  Check the eccentric crank to see if the screw back out a bit.  You don't want strip anything by forcing it.  The mechanicals inside are super simple, so I'll assume it's the drive rods.

Jon

I don't really want to open it up because it's a TMCC engine and under warranty. Also the motor and drive gear do not seem to be jammed, as they can move freely, but the engine runs slowly, erratically, and will stop at intervals unless otherwise pushed. 

Being a pullmor motor, a couple drops of oil might help.

I oiled the armature and gears, but the engine still operated erratically. Also, the engine has a lot of trouble starting in either forward and reverse. Thank you, though. 

Maybe, but it ran exceptionally well for a period, then it's condition deteriorated. 

Just a question, who is warrantying a 1996 engine? I highly suspect weak brush springs. With a pair of test leads and running, hold the loco in your hand and take a pencil and push in on the brushes one at a time. If the motor takes off you have found the problem and  have who ever warranted the loco replace them.

Ok, thank you. Btw do I have to open up the engine to do this? Also how would the warranty process work with this engine? Is it still applicable? I just assumed it was under warranty. 

Yeah... in spite of the now infamous "Lifetime Warranty"... I'm pretty sure that's shot by now.  

Jon  

You don't have to take the loco apart. You can reach the brush wells with the body on with a pencil or similar object.

Hmmm...that's a bit disheartening about the warranty. Where can I get it repaired if I can't do it myself by chance? 

Any Lionel service station can do that. I can do that simple repair if needed, but I live in Denver and would need to be sent in.

Ok thanks. One final question though (I promise)...How do I make sure the e-unit isn't busted, just to ensure there isn't anything else wrong with the engine? 

Engine is a carbon copy of the PW 646/2056/2046 types.  Getting the shell of involves in removing about two screws in front and a top screw in front of the cab.  Might find the brushes sticking in the brush plate or a dirty commutator..

Marty

Thank you and Merry Christmas to everyone who has replied so far to help me with this engine. Hope everyone else is having fun with their trains! ��

There is no mechanical Eunit in the engine, it has electronic reversing via the TMCC board.

How do I check if that is busted? The motor has the ability to move forward and back, I'm just asking to possibly anticipate future problems. 

It will either work or not, no in between.

I know it has Command in it, does it run for you without the TMCC being one,  unplug the base unit so the green power lite is off and test with your transformer...

Marty

Thanks for all the help from everyone. I'm very grateful. 

Edit: Btw the engine is running perfectly now. Just had to adjust the brushes. Thanks!