Lionel O-Gauge #6-18001 Rock Island 4-8-4 Northern Locomotive
I just found out that there is a defect in these engines concerning the bushings on the motor, that they need to be replaced and it is a repair best done by a factory service person. Any one have this experience?
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Jim Barrett did an article about this in a long ago issue of OGR. Maybe he could chime in on this one and give you the straight scoop.
If I remember correctly there was a main article and then some further small updates, so, you may want to get them all before ordering any parts. I think the big thing was, catching the problem before it had severely messed up the running gear. If you can catch it quick, it is not too hard to replace the bearings. But, if you have run it enough to where the gear on the axle has been damaged, then you should send it to a pro.
I will try to dig out the article. Not all engines were defective. Only the first batch I believe. I have this engine, and the other 2 that followed after this one, and have had no problems.
It's an easy DIY, after removing the armature just punch out the original bushings and press in the new ones. While you have it apart give it a nice coat of white grease.
Jim,
I spoke to some guy at Lionel & they said they dont have the parts ! Is this some thing I can do without a press of some sort?
Read this thread.
I just had two posts in a row deleted. The first one had a link, so I thought that was the reason. So I reposted without the link. Deleted again. I am new to this forum. Did a search for previous posts using the Lionel product number, but got no results. Why was my post deleted? Already posts about this, like this one? Am I going to receive an email with an explanation?
@William B Davis posted:I just had two posts in a row deleted. The first one had a link, so I thought that was the reason. So I reposted without the link. Deleted again. I am new to this forum. Did a search for previous posts using the Lionel product number, but got no results. Why was my post deleted?
Because you posted on the 3RS (3-Rail SCALE) Forum, and your post/question was NOT related to 3RS modeling.
Already posts about this, like this one?
Generally speaking, if you are inquiring about a specific Lionel product, it is best to post on the appropriate Lionel Forum.
Am I going to receive an email with an explanation?
No. Although you now have some answers.
Just use key words in your search query, ......not all topics carry an item# for discussion,....since you’re new, take a minute or two and read the TOS in the side bar when you click on your user name, down at the bottom,.....this is the appropriate forum for your particular locomotive......traditional 3 rail.....
Pat
@Hot Water posted:
Okay. That makes sense. Thank you.
@Big Jim posted:Jim Barrett did an article about this in a long ago issue of OGR. Maybe he could chime in on this one and give you the straight scoop.
If I remember correctly there was a main article and then some further small updates, so, you may want to get them all before ordering any parts. I think the big thing was, catching the problem before it had severely messed up the running gear. If you can catch it quick, it is not too hard to replace the bearings. But, if you have run it enough to where the gear on the axle has been damaged, then you should send it to a pro.
Wow. Are the parts still available?
@William B Davis posted:Wow. Are the parts still available?
Do we really expect the current Lionel to have parts for a 33 year locomotive old from 1987?
Rusty
@Rusty Traque posted:Do we really expect the current Lionel to have parts for a 33 year locomotive old from 1987?
Rusty
And why would you assume I was referring to Lionel? Plenty of other possibilities (eBay, etc.). Perhaps even my Lionel repairman, who has been doing this for 30 or more years.
@William B Davis posted:Wow. Are the parts still available?
@Rusty Traque posted:Do we really expect the current Lionel to have parts for a 33 year locomotive old from 1987?
Rusty
They are readily available... even for the 1947 version of this locomotive.
I went through all of this earlier this year - got the new bearings installed, etc - and it still didn't run great. You can try it, or save yourself the hassle and get a used 736 motor (681-100). That's what I ended up doing and it runs much better.
Don
@William B Davis posted:And why would you assume I was referring to Lionel? Plenty of other possibilities (eBay, etc.). Perhaps even my Lionel repairman, who has been doing this for 30 or more years.
Because the OP mentioned calling Lionel.
Rusty
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