Is the tip of the drawbar touching the middle rail? Saw this in a post. Saw in some post where a strange type of tape was applied to the tip insulating it from the middle rail; also Norton mentioned in this post using a pencil as leverage to bend the drawbar up a bit and bend the tender bar up a bit to match the drawbar optical device. The tip on mine is about 1/8" above the middle rail.
Drawbar hitting the middle rail doesn't sound great. My conventional Mohawk 3001 did that with the rear coupler several years back and that wasn't pleasant. I think that was impart to the big load of cars I had behind it. VL engines shouldn't be having drawbars hitting the third rail, heck, shouldn't have anything crazy like that.
Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:Drawbar hitting the middle rail doesn't sound great. My conventional Mohawk 3001 did that with the rear coupler several years back and that wasn't pleasant. I think that was impart to the big load of cars I had behind it. VL engines shouldn't be having drawbars hitting the third rail, heck, shouldn't have anything crazy like that.
Its an easy fix. Its thinner, maybe to make it less intrusive or have something to do with the force transducer. Just has to be bent back up.
Pete
Norton posted:Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:Drawbar hitting the middle rail doesn't sound great. My conventional Mohawk 3001 did that with the rear coupler several years back and that wasn't pleasant. I think that was impart to the big load of cars I had behind it. VL engines shouldn't be having drawbars hitting the third rail, heck, shouldn't have anything crazy like that.
Its an easy fix. Its thinner, maybe to make it less intrusive or have something to do with the force transducer. Just has to be bent back up.
Pete
Yeah, I don't remember what old engine my uncle had, but I believe that was his fix for his old engine. 
RickM46 posted:Is the tip of the drawbar touching the middle rail? Saw this in a post. Saw in some post where a strange type of tape was applied to the tip insulating it from the middle rail; also Norton mentioned in this post using a pencil as leverage to bend the drawbar up a bit and bend the tender bar up a bit to match the drawbar optical device. The tip on mine is about 1/8" above the middle rail.
Didn’t have that problem running forward but the drawbar did touch the center rail when I was backing the engine up to the train. Only happened once.
My drawbar fix was relatively easy; just bent the TENDER drawbar "up" to a level position with a pair of needle nose pliers. The engine drawbar then automatically comes up to match when the tender and engine couple together as the engine drawbar has a lot of movement built-in.
D&H 65 posted:My drawbar fix was relatively easy; just bent the TENDER drawbar "up" to a level position with a pair of needle nose pliers. The engine drawbar then automatically comes up to match when the tender and engine couple together as the engine drawbar has a lot of movement built-in.
Nice easy fix!!
I have ran my VL Niagara for this past week with no issues until Saturday night. After about an hour the Niagara shredded a traction tire. No big deal but getting the screw out to replace was. I don't know if Lionel used Loc tite on the threads but wow it was tough to break the joint. I did get it changed, put on MTH traction tires and continued running great. However the Phillips head was a little buggered up.
My question is I would like to get a few extra Phillips head screws for this engine and was wondering if the CCII Niagara used the same screws? Or does anyone know what size screw Lionel uses for this on the drivers? I could get them from Lionel if the Parts site ever gets back up. Thanks for your input.
Oh yes forgot to mention on the above post, that the VL Niagara was and has been pulling 10 MTH 18inch Madison cars running on Lionel 0-72 Fast Track.
laz1957 posted:I have ran my VL Niagara for this past week with no issues until Saturday night. After about an hour the Niagara shredded a traction tire. No big deal but getting the screw out to replace was. I don't know if Lionel used Loc tite on the threads but wow it was tough to break the joint. I did get it changed, put on MTH traction tires and continued running great. However the Phillips head was a little buggered up.
My question is I would like to get a few extra Phillips head screws for this engine and was wondering if the CCII Niagara used the same screws? Or does anyone know what size screw Lionel uses for this on the drivers? I could get them from Lionel if the Parts site ever gets back up. Thanks for your input.
They do use Loctite. I started to remove a screw from my Vision Niagara and quit when I realized it was loctited in. I can only guess that its the same as the CC Niagara which are 2.5mm diameter, common thread pitch. I was able to remove one from my CC Niagara by using heat from my resistance soldering tool. Lionel listed the screw as 14mm long but the one I removed was 10mm long. There are at least three different lengths used here. Drivers 1 and 4 are the same, 2 and 3 are longer but won't know the length for sure until I take them out which won't be anytime soon.
10 cars are good start. I have pulled 13 18" cars with my CC Niagara after the gear and driveshaft change.
Pete
Heres our new video of the Niagara!
It was pretty awesome seeing the new Niagara showing off the trackpan overflow effect on our clubs model of the Rome NY trackpans at New York State’s biggest train show this weekend! I wish I had some video of it in action.
Yes, I still have a few Niagara’s in stock, but not for long.
Has anyone removed the smoke deflectors on their Niagara yet? just wondered how it looked.
laz1957 posted:Oh yes forgot to mention on the above post, that the VL Niagara was and has been pulling 10 MTH 18inch Madison cars running on Lionel 0-72 Fast Track.
I pulled 17 troop sleepers plus a new b60 baggage over the weekend without issue. Those troop cars are heavy!!
JEREMY FERRELL 
ReadingFan posted:JEREMY FERRELL
Excellent thank you
ReadingFan posted:JEREMY FERRELL
Great pic! I’ve gotten into weathering a lot this year and will use this as a reference. Thanks!
DJ
ReadingFan posted:JEREMY FERRELL
That main rod sure looks glossy in this image. Do the drivers appear glossy black? It really shows the boiler. Nice!
I have ran my VL Niagara for this past week with no issues until Saturday night. After about an hour the Niagara shredded a traction tire. No big deal but getting the screw out to replace was. I don't know if Lionel used Loc tite on the threads but wow it was tough to break the joint. I did get it changed, put on MTH traction tires and continued running great. However the Phillips head was a little buggered up.
My question is I would like to get a few extra Phillips head screws for this engine and was wondering if the CCII Niagara used the same screws? Or does anyone know what size screw Lionel uses for this on the drivers? I could get them from Lionel if the Parts site ever gets back up. Thanks for your input.
Stay frosty my friends,
laz57
what size mth tires did you use?
tangoman posted:I have ran my VL Niagara for this past week with no issues until Saturday night. After about an hour the Niagara shredded a traction tire. No big deal but getting the screw out to replace was. I don't know if Lionel used Loc tite on the threads but wow it was tough to break the joint. I did get it changed, put on MTH traction tires and continued running great. However the Phillips head was a little buggered up.
My question is I would like to get a few extra Phillips head screws for this engine and was wondering if the CCII Niagara used the same screws? Or does anyone know what size screw Lionel uses for this on the drivers? I could get them from Lionel if the Parts site ever gets back up. Thanks for your input.
Stay frosty my friends,
laz57
what size mth tires did you use?
Hi TANGOMAN,
I used the MTH DE0000031. I get them at YORK for a buck apiece. They work great on all my Lionel and MTH engines.
Here is MTH traction Tire Chart.
D&H 65 posted:My drawbar fix was relatively easy; just bent the TENDER drawbar "up" to a level position with a pair of needle nose pliers. The engine drawbar then automatically comes up to match when the tender and engine couple together as the engine drawbar has a lot of movement built-in.
D&H, another way to fix the drawbar is to just Gently push the TENDER drawbar up; it bends easily and will be level so the engine drawbar, as you mentioned, will come up to match it. From 1/8", I now have north of a 1/4" clearance from the middle rail. I think Norton mentioned the same.
ReadingFan posted:JEREMY FERRELL
Take a look! Sorry the pics aren't great but I really like the look.
Attachments
Images (3)
jeremy ferrell posted:ReadingFan posted:JEREMY FERRELL
Take a look! Sorry the pics aren't great but I really like the look.
Hey Jeremy, were the smoke lifters/elephant ears easy to remove? I don't see any screw holes or such, where did they attach to?
Dave; The smoke lifters are held on by two screws into the running boards from above and one from below the pilot.
Once you cut off the ears, it's a face only a mother could love! 
Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:jeremy ferrell posted:ReadingFan posted:JEREMY FERRELL
Take a look! Sorry the pics aren't great but I really like the look.
Hey Jeremy, were the smoke lifters/elephant ears easy to remove? I don't see any screw holes or such, where did they attach to?
I think they’re is 3 on top and one on the bottom actually. Really easy to do.
Its good that its easy. People can change it to however they want it to look I suppose. I have heard with other models made that it was a little bit tougher and the holes were easy to see and may detract from the look.
Norton posted:laz1957 posted:I have ran my VL Niagara for this past week with no issues until Saturday night. After about an hour the Niagara shredded a traction tire. No big deal but getting the screw out to replace was. I don't know if Lionel used Loc tite on the threads but wow it was tough to break the joint. I did get it changed, put on MTH traction tires and continued running great. However the Phillips head was a little buggered up.
My question is I would like to get a few extra Phillips head screws for this engine and was wondering if the CCII Niagara used the same screws? Or does anyone know what size screw Lionel uses for this on the drivers? I could get them from Lionel if the Parts site ever gets back up. Thanks for your input.
They do use Loctite. I started to remove a screw from my Vision Niagara and quit when I realized it was loctited in. I can only guess that its the same as the CC Niagara which are 2.5mm diameter, common thread pitch. I was able to remove one from my CC Niagara by using heat from my resistance soldering tool. Lionel listed the screw as 14mm long but the one I removed was 10mm long. There are at least three different lengths used here. Drivers 1 and 4 are the same, 2 and 3 are longer but won't know the length for sure until I take them out which won't be anytime soon.
10 cars are good start. I have pulled 13 18" cars with my CC Niagara after the gear and driveshaft change.
Pete
If they use Loctite then shame on them. Removable loctite on 1/4” screws and below may be permanent. There will be many screws messed up. Best to use heat if removal is necessary.
laz1957 posted:tangoman posted:I have ran my VL Niagara for this past week with no issues until Saturday night. After about an hour the Niagara shredded a traction tire. No big deal but getting the screw out to replace was. I don't know if Lionel used Loc tite on the threads but wow it was tough to break the joint. I did get it changed, put on MTH traction tires and continued running great. However the Phillips head was a little buggered up.
My question is I would like to get a few extra Phillips head screws for this engine and was wondering if the CCII Niagara used the same screws? Or does anyone know what size screw Lionel uses for this on the drivers? I could get them from Lionel if the Parts site ever gets back up. Thanks for your input.
Stay frosty my friends,
laz57
what size mth tires did you use?
Hi TANGOMAN,
I used the MTH DE0000031. I get them at YORK for a buck apiece. They work great on all my Lionel and MTH engines.
thanks much. any idea how to get some without paying the outrageous mth shipping costs ($40 for a $20 order)?
Anyone having a headlight issue with new VL Niagara? I got #6005 from wife for Christmas (been here at house un-opened waiting for the day). Engine worked great for several hours but noticed headlight was getting dim and had a flicker in it. Now out completely. I've tried everything I know with Legacy CAB2 to turn back on...no luck. Also tried on a test track...no luck. All other Legacy Locos are working fine so don't think its a signal issue. Any ideas before I call Lionel and possibly ship for repairs?
Went to the Lionel parts site and found versions of Niagara's here: https://www.lionelsupport.com/...;submitButton=Search
From that, went to the Lionel parts site for the VL Niagara 6005 and found the headlight is Unavailable: https://www.lionelsupport.com/...A5-A42D-0251CA1EA993
Item 5 boiler front with headlight and Item 42, Part 6804960310 both unavailable.
Took a look at the JLC headlight but it doesn't look the same.
So, this looks like a call to Lionel. I feel your pain - got into the hobby in 2014 and have sent 4 new Legacy locomotives back to Lionel for repair (smoke unit failures) - so far, had excellent service from them.
MAN that is a heart breaker. I will have to say though that is one bad Mamajamma. Don't worry you will get it fixed. Nick
It has an LED. You don't have replace the whole assembly. Its more likely a bad connection.
Pete
Bulldog, see Norton's suggestion above; don't know if anyone has removed the boiler yet to get at the leads.
I think its a bad ground connection. If loco wasn't new I would open up without hesitation. If I did have a look...would this void my warranty?
Bulldog_65 posted:I think its a bad ground connection. If loco wasn't new I would open up without hesitation. If I did have a look...would this void my warranty?
There is no good answer to this; if you ask Lionel support, they say it will void the warranty; knowing what I know now to forgo shipping and handling damage, I would have a go at it but would not touch a thing unless the fix is obvious and simple.
Alex M has posted a picture of the boiler off the frame. It looks like 4 screws and it just lifts off, unlike the CC version. As for voiding the warranty, how would they know unless you damaged something? I don't think the screws are loctited in.
Pete
I thought I saw somewhere that someone said there was a hold up on the VL milk cars, anyone know?
