Lionel TMCC era Camelback steamer 4-6-0

Before doing anything, you need to diagnose the issue …..start by turning the flywheel by hand, ( since you have the shell off ) and feel for any binding and or tight spots ….if unsure, a better method of diag is to remove the worm shaft from the gear box so you can roll the chassis easily like a hot wheels car, then you can find if things are binding or too tight …..if it seems to roll ok ( ish ) then do some simple maintenance while you have the worm shaft out,….if it moves, it needs to be lubed…axles, rod bolts, linkages, etc,.etc, etc,….look at levers, ( If puffer smoke unit equipped ) looking for things binding up, stuck or gummed up,…..if you’ve performed those checks, reinstall the worm shaft with a dose of fresh grease (clean it out if it’s nasty) and you can rule out mechanical issues and move onto possible electrical issues knowing the chassis is squared away…..

Pat

Thanks Pat,

I will try what you have here.  I dont mind flying blind on servicing (that was how I rebuilt my 64' van drum brakes as a kid, and lived to tell the tale) but is there an internet accessible service manual for the worn gear assembly?

BTW love your water level route logo.  Have not done the former Century route yet but will.

Robbin

@Robbin posted:

I have a recently acquired tmcc era camel back steam engine bought at auction.  It is running very differently than the other steamers of the era that I have (an EM-1 and a mountain).

Are there some ideas on what I could try to get the engine to run more like my other lionel steamers?

Thanks!

Your TMCC-era Camelback doesn't have Odyssey speed control, which is why it runs different from your EM-1 and Mountain. While it doesn't hurt to check the lubrication and the other points that Pat mentions above on a locomotive that's almost 20 years old, the operating characteristics you're describing are exactly what you'd expect to see in a locomotive without speed control.

Your best option would be to look into the installation of an ERR Cruise Commander.

TRW

@PaperTRW posted:

Your best option would be to look into the installation of an ERR Cruise Commander.

True enough, but note that the TMCC Camelback is a pretty ugly mechanical installation for the CC.  You end up moving several MB connectors in order to fit it in.

Thank you TRW!  That makes sense.  I did not realize that tmcc had any differences from Odyssey.  And yes that is the case that the EM-1 and Mountain have Odyssey on the box and the Camelback does not.  Boy this is quite an evolution eh?  The tmcc runs very much like the post war lionels that I have.  0-60 in no voltage change flat!  While the Odyssey's are just a joy to run.  What to do what to do...

I would be willing to upgrade the with a cruise (I have a pending upgrade of a scale GG-1 sitting on my bench) but that engine has so much space in it compared to the Camelback that I appreciate at a high level what John is saying here.  I could barely get the boiler back on with the one wire nut that Lionel had used on a wiring splice.  I dont know what MB connectors are though.  Remember I have spent my last 50 years in HO land so dont speak O, MTH or Lionel fluently (see my comment about tmcc and Odyssey above ).

John, is the tender a possibility?  This setup already has an umbilical cord coming across that could be made thicker.  Not that the tender is that large either compared to my other engines.

Thank you all for the great information!  I love this site and you all that contribute to help out others!

The motor driver really has to be with the rest of the electronics, so putting it in the tender would involve more than just the cruise module installation.  It's possible to get it into the locomotive, I've done half a dozen of them.  It's just more work (read that expense) to make room for it.

Thanks John!  Understood.