Locomotive will not move

Without the item and  product numbers it will bee very tough.

What is your power supply.  Most Lionel engines run on AC power. As BobbyD mentioned what engines  are giving you problems ?

Some thoughts:

Have you confirmed power is running through the rails?

Could there be a short circuit on the track?

When you tested off the track did you provide electricity to the wheels or directly to the motor?

ok, I am new to this model railroad stuff so I will try and answer as best as I can. My off track testing, I ran power to the motor and the motor turned as well as the loco wheels. I have power running to the rail as I have other locos that do run on the same track. I am using an older MARX power supply to the lionel track.

Welcome to the hobby!  A couple of other possibilities I can think of: the wheels and rollers aren’t making good contact with the track and the Marx transformer isn’t providing enough voltage (how many watts is it?). What locomotives are you having trouble with, and are you trying to run them solo or with a consist?

So let me track down a Lionel Power Supply, I have a few locomotives that are doing the same thing so it very well may be the power supply. Thanks everyone for the help and I will post as to if the Power supply is the problem.

Well, was able to get my hand on a 130W Lionel Power supply and tried that but no luck, Trains still just sit and vibrate. Any one have any other ideas?

Thanks

William

I would start by taking a voltage measurement on the track wide open throttle should be 18 volts. Nick

Hard to say what's going on....without knowing the engine... We know  trying to run a engine  that is  suppose to run on DC current  will sit and vibrate on AC current.

130W Lionel Power supply potentially indicates a postwar SW transformer and therefore potentially period trains - maybe the mechanical e-unit is sticking? All of this is piecing together the very sparse information provided. As many have stated above, identify the locomotives and such and we may be better able to assist. Photos are great too if you are able!

ok, Have some great news. I tried a DC power supply and all Locomotive are running great and I still have a few hairs on my head left. Wife is totally happy that all my hair is not gone. Just to note: The Locomotive I was having trouble with was 2- Lionel 8007 and 2 - 8902. All is well now and thanks again for all the help. 

The Lionel 6-8007 is a DC powered locomotive: https://www.lionelsupport.com/...ents/70-1050-250.pdf

I believe the Lionel 8902 is also DC powered.

For what it is worth, Lionel O Gauge is traditionally AC powered - the DC powered units you have are oddities. They are easily converted to AC power by the addition of a bridge rectifier. If that is of interest, let us know and we can get you going down that path.

Always give product number. With the above numbers someone would have solved your problem back on Feb 7th.

Thanks again for the help. Like I said on my first post. I am new to this Model Railroad Hobby and still learning and learning sometimes take alot longer for those of us who are in their 70's.

Bmoran4,

  I would be interested in knowing how to convert both of these locomotive to AC, if you don't mind pointing down the right path.

Thanks

WRSoulsby

   If you want fwd/N/rev, you want an electronic reverse board (e-unit board) from Electric Railroad, or Dalee electronics etc.

It wil convert ac to dc for the motor and invert polarity to reverse it.

or

For a couple bucks, a 4 amp bride rectifier and or diodes can make it run one direction only. A dpdt switch on the loco could be added for a reverse too.

You may have done damage to the motors putting them on ac power.

To test, a 6v lantern battery, 9v, or 12v automotive battery would get the wheels spinning. New can motors for those are usually cheap $6 -$15.

  Funny , the posts are almost out of order from the way these threads usually go. I missed you had tried them on dc. 

With some weight added, lights, and a $3 BR running it cab forward, my dc dockside is a favorite; a little mule.