I can't relate to this specific product number, but I have two gantry cranes of China production that I've had to completely service the gear box beneath the platform. Both did the same thing....squeals, balks, no motion, etc....after a while. And both for the same reason: so-called 'grease' that became gummy, gunky, ...just horrid!!!! What in God's name someone was thinking when they used this stuff is beyond me!!!
Anyhow, it's not too difficult to do....the second box went much faster than the first. But, if you're not up to it, I'm sure this problem is solvable by any well-practiced Lionel service tech. Once the gearbox is apart, thoroughly clean the old cruddy grease off of everything...gears, shafts, inner box surfaces. Re-lube sparingly with a quality lube (I used Labelle's 106, white grease with PTFE), re-assemble.
Since both of my gantries have been serviced, they've been flawless in rotation and cable action. Ergo, if your gantry was made in China, never thus serviced, I'd try this first.
Just a thought.
KD