Hi, New guy here. I'm basically prewar tinplate, but I have a postwar lionel 2343 F3 set.
Powered A, Dummy A and four aluminum cars. Can the dual motored locos pull any more cars?
A four car passenger train is way too short.
Thank you,
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Yes, I use a set to pull 7 cars and a b-unit no problem.
400E,
Thank you, what kind of lube would you recommend for the wheel sets?
I have a twin pullmor motored Lionel /MPC NYC F3 that pulls a 7 car aluminum car set without any problems whatsoever. Those motors are strong but being 3 pole they don't allow running at very slow speeds like the can motors do. I would say that the can motored F3's can also do the job.
I use LaBelle products. They're made for model trains.
Alan
Originally Posted by boucher:
400E,
Thank you, what kind of lube would you recommend for the wheel sets?
I wouldn't lube till I did a complete tune up on the innards of the power unit, this is a great performer and will benefit from a complete going over.
Mine pull 7-8 cars without breaking a sweat, remember to oil those car axles.
Good luck
Rod
Here's a link to a video of my 2343 pulling 54 and then 77 boxcars. The 2343 is dual motored.
I have a Lionel 2344 and it struggles to pull 4 AMT 14 inch aluminum cars on the S curve mounted on a 4 X 8 layout. On a stright run it does the job. Granted the AMT cars are heavier and the trucks leave alot to be desired but in my opinion the 14 inch size for a small 4 X 8 layout is perfect. Question I have is who else makes a aluminum passenger car in a 12-14 inch length not including the couplers ?
Boucher, I use Moreys red grease, Lucas red n tacky is almost the same, Labelle is good, I use mobile one for oil. With any grease make sure you get all the old out, that is the key to no problems.
Originally Posted by neffer:
I have a Lionel 2344 and it struggles to pull 4 AMT 14 inch aluminum cars on the S curve mounted on a 4 X 8 layout. On a stright run it does the job. Granted the AMT cars are heavier and the trucks leave alot to be desired but in my opinion the 14 inch size for a small 4 X 8 layout is perfect. Question I have is who else makes a aluminum passenger car in a 12-14 inch length not including the couplers ?
AMT/KMT aluminum passenger and freight cars are lead sleds with the factory wheels. Here's what I do to ease the burden on the transformer and get better rolling performance.
Disassemble one of the trucks (always go one truck at a time so you'll have a reference to work from), give the axles and inside of the sideframes a good scrubbing to remove old oil/grease build up, and then replace the AMT/KMT wheels with modern fast angle wheels. I scavenged the wheels from junker MPC and K-Line cars that were damaged, or from loose trucks found in junk boxes. Lionel used to sell loose wheels - I don't have a part number for those. You'll have to pop the wheels free by holding the axle/wheel assembly upright in a vise (don't tighten down too much, just leave enough room to slide the axle between the jaws), and then use a small nail set or punch and hammer to tap the axle through the wheel.
Pop the fast angle wheels onto the axles, reassemble the trucks, and add a drop of lightweight oil to each wheel. You'll be able to lug a lot more cars at a lower voltage. I'd also replace the incandescent bulbs with LED replacements to help lower the draw on the transformer.
