For those of you who have a Lionel L1, can you please describe the gearbox issue that is apparently common among these models? Is it really a widespread problem, or a fluke on certain models?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
In reverse, especially under a load, the gears can skip, causing a jam. To date, I’ve repaired 27 units. Some even made the trip to Lionel first for warranty, where they were not repaired to the customer’s satisfaction.
Pat
I have the Santa Fe version of this locomotive. I do not have the stall problem and never did.
From what has been described it sounds like it is mostly the Pennsy versions that are affected as I have not read any complaints about the other road names.
From what has been it written it sounds like the problem is when the locomotive is run in reverse. The worm wheel pulls the worm shaft into the chassis. The friction between the worm shaft and the worm shaft digging into the chassis stalls the motor. The fix is putting in a shim that prevents the worm shaft digging into the chassis and so the motor does not stall in reverse.
@WBC posted:I have the Santa Fe version of this locomotive. I do not have the stall problem and never did.
From what has been described it sounds like it is mostly the Pennsy versions that are affected as I have not read any complaints about the other road names.
From what has been it written it sounds like the problem is when the locomotive is run in reverse. The worm wheel pulls the worm shaft into the chassis. The friction between the worm shaft and the worm shaft digging into the chassis stalls the motor. The fix is putting in a shim that prevents the worm shaft digging into the chassis and so the motor does not stall in reverse.
Pennsy, Smhennsy, that don’t make a lick of difference.
and it’s not the worm shaft digging into the chassis. The worm shaft is riding on top of the worm wheel on the blind spot in reverse. I have yet to see one “ digging into the chassis “
Pat
@JJScholten posted:For those of you who have a Lionel L1, can you please describe the gearbox issue that is apparently common among these models? Is it really a widespread problem, or a fluke on certain models?
This has NOTHING to do with 3RS modeling, per the descriptions at the top of this forum. Why didn't you post this on a Lionel forum?
These engines aren’t 3RS models?
@ironman1 posted:These engines aren’t 3RS models?
That’s not the point, however, out of the box, no they are not,….3RS is a forum devoted to the art of scale fidelity while still being on 3 rail track,…..the subject matter on this tread deals specifically with a manufacturer issue,…..3RS is about the modeling aspect,….for example, had the poster installed kadees on his L1, and did some add on scale detail work, and wanted to showcase his work, THEN he’d put it in 3RS ….
Pat
