Lionel FM 2331 Winter Project

franktrainOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

I picked this Lionel FM today at an estate sale, it was in parts mixed in with a box of track. The shell is dirty and has some scratches the biggest problem is one window strut is broken but it is fifty nine years old.

I started cleaning up poking around to see what parts I will need. I came across a problem with one of the trucks as I was cleaning the grease off the gearbox. The drive gear was spinning on the axle, so I removed axle to see what was wrong. I found a cracked gear so a replacement is needed.

I wonder if the gear was cracked when it was made and the engine ran sluggish and the owner took it apart to fix it and it spent the rest of its life apart.

I will keep updating as I go along with this restore.

franktrain

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1/9/1410:36 PM

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Martin DerouinOGR Forum Member

Replacement brass gears are available from most parts dealers. Since the old one is off, and I see where it is split. Putting the new one will take a little effort but it is doable. First I would put the new gear on the axle and see how it fits at mid axle at the swedge marks. If it is tight then install it in the truck frame...

Marty

1/10/1411:40 AM

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franktrainOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Thanks Marty.

I was thinking about heating the new one in boiling water to get it hot then installing on axle for a good fit.

franktrain

1/10/1411:52 AM

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C W BurfleOGR Forum Member

The gear just presses on. The ridges on the center of the axle will bite into the gear.

The gear should slide over the smooth part of the axle.

1/10/1412:04 PM

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toddstrickOGR Forum Member

You could also put the axle in the freezer a bit. It will shrink just a tiny amount to help slide the gear on.

Todd

1/10/142:52 PM

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Renovo PRROGR Forum Member

I had the same gear on the same train crack too. I was lazy I sent it out for a repair.

1/10/143:18 PM

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jaygeeOGR Forum Member

Multiply this by a thousand and you have the nylon gear FM fiasco of the late '70s and early '80s ! What a mess, but repairable, if you have the tools and know how to use 'em correctly. Quite rare to see a bronze gear crack like that.

1/10/145:48 PM

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franktrainOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Picked up my new gear from Rusty's parts at the Dupage train show on Sunday.

Have it installed and ready to go. Installation was not to bad, I did not heat or cool the gear just pressed it on.

Next I will have to get the frame and motors cleaned up.

franktrain

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1/13/141:34 PM

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bigo426OGR Forum Member

Did the removal / replacement of the wheel and axel affect the strength of the magnetraction?

1/13/147:58 PM

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jaygeeOGR Forum Member

Loss of Magne-Traction and wobbly wheels are two reasons you don't want to do this one unless you got the right tools and absolutely know how to use 'em !

1/13/1411:27 PM

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franktrainOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

As far as I can tell the magna traction is as strong as before and the wheels are running true.

I used an arbor press and wheel puller for the operation.

franktrain

1/13/1411:44 PM

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franktrainOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

We are up and running! A lot of cleaning and resoldering. Ran on the first try, only problem is a flickering headlight. They sure built these robust back in 1955 the frame seems heavier then the newer ones.

franktrain