Lionel Legacy Southern 2-10-4 Squeaking

First step is to lubricate all the rod moving parts, the wheels axles, and the pickup rollers.  Don't forget the tender as well.  The timing of the squeak suggests it's something to do with the rods.

Just went back and put a dab of oil on everything - including the spots you spoke of.  Gear box is greased. All moving joints of rods are oiled.  I even opened the shell to make sure it wasn't the motor or worm gear (which didn't sound like those to start with).  I'm at a sincere loss.

Look at all the brake shoes and make sure one isnt rubbing a wheel, ....while it’s flipped over, look at the cross head guides, and make sure no. 1; one of them isn’t closed too much, no.2; make sure they’re not bent inwards, allowing the rods or hardware to rub the back side of the crosshead or guides.....hard to say from a video, but also check things you wouldn’t always consider, like pick up rollers, anything that’s a rotational part....

Pat

I've removed all of the brake shoes, as well as traction tires.  Looking at the rods closely from side at top of engine with shell off - nothing is touching or rubbing. Crossheads are not rubbing anything and they're not hitting the frame of the engine or anything.  Agh, doesn't make any sense.  Could it actually be a problem with one of the wheels?

Also to note: I hear the noise mainly if the engine is moving forward.  I barely hear it when going in reverse.  

This is where test rollers come in handy....have you taken the grease plugs out of each axle and given them a shot of grease?.....if you have a pin oiler, .....you should be able to put a tiny shot of oil at the point where the axle protrudes through the frame....right at the wheel....push come to shove, since you have the shell off, take the gear box cover off, and take out the worm shaft, now you can roll the wheels with your hands and try to duplicate the squeak....

Pat

My 2-10-4 does the same. Following in hopes to find a solution. 

You guys do realize that there is some creaking, etc. in the sound set for many Legacy locomotives, right?  If you totally kill the sounds, do you still hear the creaking?

I feel so stupid, haha.  Turns out I didn't oil enough of the "rod joints" where the rods connect to the wheels.  I kept thinking the sound was coming from the front left wheel. 

I did what harmonyards suggested and pulled out the worm gear.  I held the engine next to my ear and kept rolling the wheels until I pinpointed exactly where the sound was coming from.  Hit the spot directly with with an oil needle (before just dropped from further away).  

Not sure why the sound started, but will keep and ear out in case it starts up again.

Sound is gone.   Thanks all!

Good, glad you figured it out.....looks like your railroad’s purchasing agent needs to have his ears boxed....🤣🤣🤣🤣.....aint this two in a row?....at least they were simple fixes....

Pat

I see a lot of them that need oil, but I've also had a couple come in with "odd noises" and I show them the volume control.   The newer Legacy sound sets have some creaks and groans in the sound track.

@harmonyards posted:

Good, glad you figured it out.....looks like your railroad’s purchasing agent needs to have his ears boxed....🤣🤣🤣🤣.....aint this two in a row?....at least they were simple fixes....

Pat

Yep, lol. I've been back and forth with the ebay dealer and their repair guy the last few days about the issues.  When I first bought the engine it wouldn't move forward and flashed a "motor stalled" cab light code.  Sent it back and they said it was an issue with the rods locking up - fixed it and sent it back to me.  I initially thought all of these issues were due to that first problem, but alas... at least they gave me a pretty hefty discount/partial refund on this engine, happy about that.

gunrunnerjohn, yeah I like those legacy railsounds creaks on these engines... just not these kind of creaks, haha.