Lionel Auto Rack trucks won't release

I would try penetrating oil if it is still made or a small dab of brake fluid(Dot 3) should work. Let it sit for at least four hours and see if it will loosen up.

 

Lee Fritz

Try a cordless impact driver? 
You can try something like PB blaster, but make sure it's plastic safe first, or apply very carefully.

Brake fluid is a good idea.  But it's awfully harsh and I'd like to hear about any other options I may have.

 

If I use it, I will be very careful with a very small amount

Once the head is stripped your only option is to drill it out, which I've done before with screws that wouldn't loosen.

I'd be careful using brake fluid around any painted plastic-some people use it to strip paint.

Lionel also has the habit of using screws that aren't really a phillips head, but MAY be a "Posi-drive" head. Wiha tools in Germany sells #0 & #1 Pozi-drivers to get these screws positively engaged for removal or insertion.

It took me 14 months of trying to get the front electro-coupler retaining screw out of my Flyonel SD70 due to this issue.

I think the assemblers in China also go overboard on some of their installation torque usage as well. I have also had the brass thread insert come out of my Flyonel U33C due to being cross-threaded at the factory.

I'd be careful using brake fluid around any painted plastic-some people use it to strip paint.

Lionel also has the habit of using screws that aren't really a phillips head, but MAY be a "Posi-drive" head. Wiha tools in Germany sells #0 & #1 Pozi-drivers to get these screws positively engaged for removal or insertion.

It took me 14 months of trying to get the front electro-coupler retaining screw out of my Flyonel SD70 due to this issue.

I think the assemblers in China also go overboard on some of their installation torque usage as well. I have also had the brass thread insert come out of my Flyonel U33C due to being cross-threaded at the factory.

Well after several treatments of heat, wd40, and carburetor cleaner it still wouldn't budge.  So I ended up drilling it out. 

 

No big deal.  That's an easy screw to replace, but I wonder why Lionel put these on so tight in the first place.

 

Martin