Lionel LC+2.0 Amtrak Genesis Pre-mature Grooved Pickup Rollers

They did not seize up. They most likely never did spin freely. Sometimes the rivets are crimped too tight at the factory. I use needle nose pliers pushed between the two sides and pull the pliers open to spread the sides away from the roller. Make it a habit to always check the rollers on any new engine.

If it’s new and it’s done that already, it would seem to me that the warranty would cover it.

You need new rollers now, I'd contact Lionel.  As stated, they should be covered.

FWIW I have the exact model.  After a few hours of runtime, the rollers still look new… with a little of the normal build up.  As others mentioned, it may be a problem with the assembly of your specific engine.

A few months ago, I finally received the PRR SD45 and super bass dummy.  When I opened the box, the engine’s couplers, front and rear, were detached and damaged beyond an easy repair.   From what I heard, no one else experienced that same issue.

Not just Lionel, but quality in general with a lot of things seem to be hit or miss nowadays.  

If you can swap out the rollers with out having to take the shell off, and it isn’t a chore, I’d be willing to bet they might send you a set,……send them that picture, alongside of your receipt, ……not excusing them, but it might save you the hassle of packing it back up and what not,….

Pat

@romiller49 posted:

They did not seize up. They most likely never did spin freely. Sometimes the rivets are crimped too tight at the factory. I use needle nose pliers pushed between the two sides and pull the pliers open to spread the sides away from the roller. Make it a habit to always check the rollers on any new engine.

This is the only logical explanation. My bad for not checking in the first place. Lionel should be getting back to me about the availability of new collectors with double rollers. I failed to mention why I needed them. I was more concerned on whether or not they are available, considering this particular engine was released as recently as May of this year. What my next move is depends on their answer. If the collectors are NOT available, then I'll ask for a warranty exchange from the dealer.

@VJandP posted:

FWIW I have the exact model.  After a few hours of runtime, the rollers still look new… with a little of the normal build up.  As others mentioned, it may be a problem with the assembly of your specific engine.

A few months ago, I finally received the PRR SD45 and super bass dummy.  When I opened the box, the engine’s couplers, front and rear, were detached and damaged beyond an easy repair.   From what I heard, no one else experienced that same issue.

Not just Lionel, but quality in general with a lot of things seem to be hit or miss nowadays.  

OK- good to know there's no inherent design flaw on the rollers. Now that I know that you have the same model and have no problems, I think my next move will be to get a warranty exchange from the dealer, and this time, I WILL check that the rivets weren't over tightened at the factory before I place it on the track!

Thanks for the feedback

-Jim

@harmonyards posted:

If you can swap out the rollers with out having to take the shell off, and it isn’t a chore, I’d be willing to bet they might send you a set,……send them that picture, alongside of your receipt, ……not excusing them, but it might save you the hassle of packing it back up and what not,….

Pat

The collectors with the double roller come off with just one screw. No problem to replace them. Good idea about sending them that picture, with a copy of my receipt- IF the parts are available yet. It may be too new. If  that's the case, then I'll ask the dealer for a warranty  exchange.

Thanks,

Jim

@jpepe3691 posted:

This is the only logical explanation. My bad for not checking in the first place. Lionel should be getting back to me about the availability of new collectors with double rollers. I failed to mention why I needed them. I was more concerned on whether or not they are available, considering this particular engine was released as recently as May of this year. What my next move is depends on their answer. If the collectors are NOT available, then I'll ask for a warranty exchange from the dealer.

Curious if you saw the MTH sticker on or around the fuel tank on yours?

Note, Lionel did change things, so these are not exactly just rebadged MTH engines with Lionel electronics but again it was pointed out to me there was many of these that had leftover MTH stickers on the bottom and specifically around the fuel tank.

I tried checking MTH parts for a premier genesis diagram but not yet listed. The Railking versions used a single roller variant truck. While the insulated style roller is an MTH like design (ends of roller insulating black plastic) , that very copper looking roller composition was not typical MTH I am aware of.

I searched for keyword "PICK UP" and then refined using "double"

https://www.mthpartsandsales.com/shop/search

VS

@Vernon Barry posted:

Curious if you saw the MTH sticker on or around the fuel tank on yours?

Note, Lionel did change things, so these are not exactly just rebadged MTH engines with Lionel electronics but again it was pointed out to me there was many of these that had leftover MTH stickers on the bottom and specifically around the fuel tank.

I tried checking MTH parts for a premier genesis diagram but not yet listed. The Railking versions used a single roller variant truck. While the insulated style roller is an MTH like design (ends of roller insulating black plastic) , that very copper looking roller composition was not typical MTH I am aware of.

I searched for keyword "PICK UP" and then refined using "double"

https://www.mthpartsandsales.com/shop/search

VS

The only stickers on the bottom are the numbers 3 and 8, plus one that says PS3 Freight. I have to hand it to you, that BD0000105 pickup is EXACTLY what mine is, and I checked the measurements with a micrometer. I don't know how you did that??

I went to the MTH site, and NOWHERE does it SHOW that particular number, and I did the search as you indicated, with the search filters.   As a matter of fact, doing  a GENERAL  search with that part number comes up empty. But, it all may be a moot point, because it sounds like the dealer will do a warranty exchange, and this time I'll definitely check to make sure the rollers are free spinning.

UPDATE- Scratch that! I went to the site, and this time, I ACCEPTED COOKIES, and VOILA- I came up with BD000105!    I still would like to know how you came up with the exact match?

UPDATE UPDATE------OK- I can see now these pickups are the ONLY ones listed that have the OUTSIDE INSULATORS.  I apologize for being a little "dense"!

https://ogrforum.com/...7#165432855914877627

Thanks AGAIN,

Jim

Vernon Barry wrote:

“(ends of roller insulating black plastic)”

What is the purpose of insulating rollers?

Good to know and glad this thread illustrates potential issues. I just received my Genesis loco (Midnight Blue #100 livery) and so far so good. But I'll give the pick up rollers a once over.

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

Vernon Barry wrote:

“(ends of roller insulating black plastic)”

What is the purpose of insulating rollers?

So that they do not short out over switches or thinks like operating tracks with multiple rails.

Same concept as to why some rollers are narrow and have tapered edges.

This is because depending on where the pivot point of the truck is, in comparison to the mounting point of the pickup rollers they may not perfectly track the middle rail.

@jpepe3691 posted:

The only stickers on the bottom are the numbers 3 and 8, plus one that says PS3 Freight.

Jim

PS3 Freight and the others are MTH stickers. Funny because this is a Lionel Lionchief Plus 2.0, maybe even with passenger sounds.

FWIW, discussion on Lionels tooling purchase from MTH regarding these Genesis. That's why I found the PS3 Freight stickers and other inspection stickers left on the chassis somewhat humorous (bet the big "L" doesn't feel that way).

https://ogrforum.com/...7#156701992500039317

Again, what is interesting is, the 2 roller pickup was not part of the Railking version of the motor truck design. That's why I said these are different and of Lionel's own choosing it appears to have different elements. Again, in that debate, there was talk of which version- Railking or Premier and it follows more the Railking size and details, however, then we get to the motor truck and pickup, and it's not the same Railking parts?

Again, the Railking variant lists single roller only https://www.mthpartsandsales.c...lists/252?type=lists

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