new i.c.r.r. berkshire arrives

Hope the problem with the truck is not going to be a common one. My buddy had the same problem with his 4-12-2.

 

>>>Hope the problem with the truck is not going to be a common one. My buddy had the same problem with his 4-12-2.<<

try the lionel parts site.  put "berk" in the search area, if it is not already there on the link,  find a loco close to yours or yours.

 

http://www.lionel.com/CustomerService/ReplacementParts/index.cfm?setID=&productID=&doAction=productFilter&q=berk&match=0&submitButton=Search

 

you need a part like this, 

6SP8052056

BEARING / AXLE / TRUCK

If Lionel has not changed the design, I have some K-line bearing inserts. I would need a pix of the truck and bearing if Lionel doesn't have it or the trailing truck.

Thanks for the replies...I will see if I can take off the truck and go from there.

You may not need to remove the truck ,the plastic bearing should just snap out of the truck and is replaceable. Lionel wants photos because you requested an entire replacement truck. Gently prying the plastic bearing with a flat blade screwdriver should release it. Make sure it is broken at all, I've received locos with these bearings either loose and in one instance installed upside down, I rotated it 180' and snapped it back into place and all was well. Look closely at the "unbroken" side to get an idea whats really going on with the bearing

Should you have to send anything in,I've had great success via email through the Lionel customer service/repairs question link on their websitehttp://www.lionel.com/ContactUs/.  Just fill out the form with the necessary information, they usually will respond next day. This seems a more direct link to the "guys who know" in the service department. Repair turnaround is only a week or two.

Thanks for the replies...lionel wants the whole loco back to help me.  I just cant see doing that.  I removed the truck...wish I could just send it in.  I guess the broken part is called a "plastic bearing"?  Looks like it might snap out but not really sure.  They said new parts for the 6-11391 berkshire are not in yet.  The trailing loco trucks on the parts section are not exactly like this new one...there is extra cast detail at the rear of the newer ones...but exactly alike in other ways.

I had the same problem om my Southern crescent limited. The trailer truck plastic bearing was broken. I ordered new ones and ended up taking it to a service center for

Other problems. Also the paint under the trailer truck was all chiped up like it had been 

droped. Thats where it is now. Can't wait to get it back.

I have same problem with new B & O EM1.  Locomotive runs ok anyway, but I would like to get it fixed. 

 

Well I just ordered some truck bearings from the parts site at lionel as suggested by big dodge...thanks...we will see what we get...

You shouldn't have any problems. There pretty easy to install.

I got the plastic bearings back from lionel...the replacement was shorter...different design...but works fine.  This loco is the smoothest and quietest runner I have without the sound on.  The sounds are awesome...creaking secondary sounds at speed step 1...great old braking sound...smoke fan make no sound at all and smokes more than enough on lowest setting.  I like it!

The bearing inserts aren't a new problem for Lionel. I had the same problem with broken truck bearings several times in two different examples of the Lionel SP 4-4-2 from 2001! The first time I had to send them the engine anyway for a TMCC problem and they fixed the truck while they had it. When it happened on my second engine they sent me a new truck. The last time it happened they had run out of parts and I wound up making bearing inserts from brass (this was the leading truck; I imagine it would be harder in a trailing truck).  The material the inserts were molded from was extremely brittle and the inserts would actually shatter. 

 

You would think that in 11 years Lionel would learn to try a new material for bearing inserts.