I just opened my new Lionel 6-84239 Western Maryland 3-Truck Shay. It looks great. After lubricating and programming the engine, I had it pull some cars. In reverse, the rear truck on the engine (not the tender) lifted up on the engineer's side. After running the engine back and forth for 15 minutes and hoping the gears were only stiff, a grinding sound occurred and the movement was not smooth anymore.
The rear axle moves up and down over a quarter inch and appears to have NO BUSHING to hold the axle on the engineer's side. All other axles are firmly in place. This is more than disappointing since I had the dealer inspect the engine before shipping it to me. A visual inspection was not enough to catch the problem.
Dean at Lionel has repaired many, many, steam engines for me in the past two years. From Allegheny, GS4. FEF-3, Cab Forward, Pennsy Turbine, two Coal Hauler M1a, etc., (You get the idea) my newly purchased steam engines have needed service. They run fine now, but I am cautious about buying anything new. Well here I am again. The diesels are usually perfect. Steam is another thing: usually pinched wires or LEDs or bad boards from the factory on the M1a.
I appreciate the good service from Lionel. I like the new team's visibility on OGR Forum. They are trying . I just wish the calls to Lionel Service were not a routine part of buying a new steam engine from a certified dealer. The previous steam engine I bought on Ebay, a C&O Steam Chest #3025, ran perfectly out of the box, and it was actually new and half the price of the Shay. Go figure.
