Lionel GP-9 Draws too many amps

It's not drawing too many amps.

Your PowerMax(sic) transformer only puts out 1.8 amps.

The PowerMax Plus transformer only puts out 2.5 amps.

You need more power Scotty!

Rob is correct, but I'd open it up and lube the gears with new grease, it's seventeen years old, the grease is probably more like cement by now!  I'd also oil all the wheels and the motor armature bearing.

Thanks for the quick response, guys! I really appreciate it! I'll start with gunnerjohn's advice and clean out the gears. It is interesting that the manual has no mention of transformer amps required and that it will run on 'virtually all Lionel and Lionel-compatible AC transformers'.

I originally thought the low amps thing, but the above statement from the manual threw me off. 

Thanks again, John

That information in the manual was correct when it was printed.

Thanks for your help! Cleaning up the gearbox and applying just a bit of thin grease did the trick! It runs around the track fine now; still pulls amps and cannot run the lit caboose too, but oh well. My 11 yr. old daughter is quite happy now!!

May have to look for a more powerful transformer or a different engine if necessary!

Thanks again, John

Look around for a PW 1033 or similar, you can frequently score those pretty cheaply.

The other thing to check is the brushes and commutator cleanliness.  There is a set screw to adjust rotor vertical free play.  The instructions may talk to it.  This can be another area that causes hi current draw.

But as stated AC Pulmore motors use more current then DC motor engines in general.  G