Lionel Conventional/RTR 0-8-0 loco

My 0-8-0 from about 2009 doesn't have a wobble.  It is geared lower than the older 4-4-2 models, but as a switcher you wouldn't want to run it fast anyway.  It's a decent engine IMO, my only complaint is that the air whistle isn't loud enough.

These 0-8-0s came in three versions. Simple valve gear and air whistle, detailed valve gear and air whistle, and detailed valve gear and trainsounds. I would say the latter is the most desirable. They all have a single traction tire which can come out of its groove and cause a wobble, easily fixed. They are nicely detailed and close in size to the scale 0-8-0s. 

Pete

I like mine quite a bit:  Lionel 6-30096 (set) PRR #561 0-8-0 Steam Switcher

More pictures:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/...ms/72157677356308074

I have several and they are all nice. No wobble problems. A  good value, IMO. 

No wobble issues for me either, however be aware that being a rtr starter locomotive it has a small motor designed to pull only the number of cars that come with it in the rtr set. Expecting it to pull many additional cars will strain and stress the motor causing it to fail over time.

Mine is from the first basic set. I was very surprised how well it ran. Well worth the $99 I paid for the whole set. 

My son's Strasburg doesn't wobble. 

Thanks - I have always liked the look of these. If I don't pick up the "base model" that is available, I will look for an upgraded version. I particularly like the Southern Pacific Daylight version and a few others in production.

This is my starter set deluxe 0-8-0 in the foreground with its scale brother in the background. Its been upgraded with the larger motor from the scale engine and second traction tire added.

Pete

Norton posted:

This is my starter set deluxe 0-8-0 in the foreground with its scale brother in the background. Its been upgraded with the larger motor from the scale engine and second traction tire added.

Pete

Was the upgrade to the larger motor difficult or easy? Would you recommend a person with no experience upgrading engines try doing it?

I thought it would be a 30 minute job. Turned into about 5 hours. The motor mount appears to be just right for the larger motor but required a lot of dremel work to get the motor to fit. The hardest part is removing the gear from the small motor and installing it on the larger motor. It comes off easily with a proper puller which I had to fabricate. Then the gear has to be bored out for the larger diameter shaft. A press fit is ideal but the chances of bending the shaft is likely so I made the bore slightly oversize and used CA to hold it in place. Also the flywheel had to be machined down to fit in the shell. Pretty much requires a lathe to do and keep in concentric.

Pete

Finally broke down at got the engine. Runs beautifully. It will get "souped up" soon - better smoke, better sound, and a few customizations. 

I'm very impressed with how it runs. Glass smooth. There was terrible gear noise at first. After "popping the hood" it was obvious the gears were BONE DRY! A little Labelle Grease and it was dead quiet orbiting the layout. Once it gets souped up, I think it will be a winner. 

I'd like to also get one of the LionCheif versions, preferably with the upgraded drivetrain. 

That's a good looking nice engine. May it continue to always run trouble free. Enjoy!

I seem to recall a website that sold Lionel products but had lots and lots of RTR break ups. I can't remember the website. Does anyone know of a store/website that sells lots of these locos and set breakups? Searching the forum won't find the post with the link I'm thinking of .

Thanks. 

Hobbyspeed has a lot of break ups...

Train Nut posted:

Hobbyspeed has a lot of break ups...

That is EXACTLY what I was trying to remember! Thanks!

SJC posted:

I seem to recall a website that sold Lionel products but had lots and lots of RTR break ups. I can't remember the website. Does anyone know of a store/website that sells lots of these locos and set breakups? Searching the forum won't find the post with the link I'm thinking of .

Thanks. 

Grzyboski's does a lot of set break-ups, too. 

SJC posted:

I have the opportunity to purchase one of these - no remote, plain conventional from a PRR Flyer set. 

I've seen them run and it seems they have quite the wobble or shake to them. Maybe the one I saw had an issue but....

Having had several of the old Lionel RTR 4-4-2 locos that are bulletproof, does the 0-8-0 match up? Would appreciate any comments anyone has. I've always liked the look of them. 

I agree with the 4-4-2 comments. I have several also. I've picked the most abused engine of this group and run and run it. It just keeps on going. I don't care for the 0-8-0 as a set engine. I view it as a switcher engine; an engine that should be working in the yards and not out on the main line.

Steve