Rick, you must be a die hard Lionel fan. I will keep mine and fix it up but will tell you the MTH version from the early 2000s has a bullet proof drivetrain, smokes like a typical MTH steamer, and has better detail. These still can be had for less than the CC Lionel engine goes for these days. The new PS3 versions are still 1/3rd less than a likely Legacy version and are even better detailed.
Opinion.
Pete
Out of the box one time, sent to Alex for a super chuffed and smoke unit. Decided to use it after it was returned and the gears ripped apart with 8 cars in tow,
Mine was the test unit for Lionel and I appreciate the work Lionel did. I cannot thank Mike and his team for taking the bull by the horns and getting this back to perfect form. Everyone's input was great.
Alex has my second unit and that is also going to get a complete upgrade. New Lionel gears, super chuffer and smoke unit. One will be my running unit the other my shelf queen inside the case I just was able to locate.
Supposed to get it back from Lionel this week and I will put it on the NJ HiRailers layout and get some video.
Alex, your are going to be very busy.
Kevin
Fellow Niagara Fans -- Mike, got the engine back on Monday. Put her on the test oval I have and gave her a nice test. Awesome. Quiet. Powerful. Worth the wait and I am going to have Alex, he has my second CCII Niagara exchange those gears when he installs the other upgrades.
If you have a Niagara, CCII version, upgrade and change out the nylon gears. Need to support Mike and his team's efforts and the cost is reasonable.
Thanks Mike.
Kevin
Hi all,
The Niagara gears are finally in stock at Lionel. The part number is 6208069900.
Thank you!
Mike
Thanks Mike,
I missed the opportunity to personally thank you and Lionel while I was at York last week for taking care of the problem. I am sure all owners of the CCII Niagara appreciate your efforts to ensure that our Niagaras will now continue to run well for many years to come.
Many Thanks,
Richard Gonzales
\\\
Problem solved. The NWSL gears were slightly noisy at first, but are now quiet after a brief break in period. Keep in mind these gears are lifetime guaranteed. Plus I didnt have to wait sixteen years to get them.
Duke, did you end up replacing the driveshaft with a pair of metal U joints off the unnamed auction site? If so did you have to shorten them or did they fit without altering them?
Pete
4mm stainless u joints were shortened. But Lionel now sells the shaft with BOTH ends staked for about 12 bucks.
dukeofnuke posted:4mm stainless u joints were shortened. But Lionel now sells the shaft with BOTH ends staked for about 12 bucks.
Any chance you know the exact part number?
Thanks,
Fred
Sorry, l had an over sixty moment. The shaft Lionel sells with the shaft redone is for the H7. My Niagara has the 4mm stainless u joints, upgraded smoke unit, and NWSL lifetime gears.
Does anyone have a link to the parts diagram?What supplement number contains this loco's information?
Or is there some other documentation that tells how to take the loco apart? I have one that has hardly been run, but the gears may be stripped.
RoyBoy posted:Does anyone have a link to the parts diagram?What supplement number contains this loco's information?
Or is there some other documentation that tells how to take the loco apart? I have one that has hardly been run, but the gears may be stripped.
Here is the parts page for what its worth. This engine differs from most other diecast engines because the boiler is in two parts, top and bottom To replace the driveshaft the top has to come off and the motor removed. To replace the gears the bottom half has to come off to access the screws holding the gearbox in place. Plan a couple of hours with an adult beverage close at hand. Make sure you keep track of the screws and their location. Also the shims next to the gears.
Pete
Thank you. I should have done more research before selling the locomotive.
Hello all,
Another Niagara lives to pull strong again, installed new brass gears and a steel driveshaft, i also added GRJ's super chuffer to this one.
I'll post a video shortly
Thanks, Alex
Thanks Alex,
Who would need a Legacy version of the CCII Niagara that will likely retail for $1,400 $1,600 when the original issue can be upgraded with many of the latest features?
I can't wait to get her back.
Richard
Alex M posted:Hello all,
Another Niagara lives to pull strong again, installed new brass gears and a steel driveshaft, i also added GRJ's super chuffer to this one.
I'll post a video shortly
Thanks, Alex
Awesome as I heard someone say on the video! Just super and awesome!
What flavor is the JT's Mega Steam? I use some Clove even though Lionel claims it wrecks the smoke fluid batting. I use the Lionel Premium or the newer stuff from them with a new Lionel product so as not to mess with the possible warranty, but then subsequently mix in a little Clove to modify the scent.
Alex, what flavor of speed control does the upgraded model have, which you show in the video?
Great work, thx for sharing!
Awesome!
Mike
Alex,
Your a Bad Man….!!!
Alex,
You have done it again !!! Amazing !
Scrapiron Scher
To some, a dumb question... What does NWSL stand for, and what is their address and contact information?
I have a Niagara CC2 that was a gift from a Lionel CEO. I actually had a problem, wherein the wheels would spin inside the metal sleeves
Has anyone updated the Niagara with ERR Cruise and RailSounds? Don't get around much, and believe it or not, I can't find any major train stores in the Phoenix metro area! Or hobby shops for that matter! Only one list price store with VERY few items on its shelves!!!
NWSL= Northwest Shortline. They have come up with a set of delrin gears for this engine but since then Lionel has made up a special set of bronze gears at a very reasonable price. You can update the engine with ERR cruise and newer railsounds if you wish but the original Odyssey speed control works just fine.
Pete
Ted Sowirka posted:Alex, what flavor of speed control does the upgraded model have, which you show in the video?
Great work, thx for sharing!
Hi Ted
In this video, the speed control is the original the way it came from the factory. If i added ERR cruise M it would operate like a Legacy engine.
Alex
Don,
Send it to Alex. I have 2 of them and I had him do a complete rebuild on my first one and the second is in his hands now for the same upgrades, gears, shaft, smoke, chuffer, etc. Well worth it as my first one just pulled 30 cars with Caboose on the NJ HiRailers layout.
Well worth it.
I Was Thrilled to Have my Niagara Upgraded by Mike Reagan at TrainWorx. I usually repair my own trains however I felt this one was a little over my head. While he had it opened up to replace the failed nylon gears I had the U joint replaced along with the cherry switch & smoke unit. The results were stunning. The engine pulls 11 NYC MTH Premier passenger cars like their not even there. Hint: Send the replacement parts along w/ your engine. 
Hi Tom,
Where did you get the replacement parts you show in your photo? I already have the Lionel replacement gears. I have two of these lococ new in the box from when they were issued and was very disappointed to read this long trail.... one of them had some paint flake of the drive wheels.... quality was really lacking on theses for sure!
Rob
The parts all appear to have Lionel Parts stickers on them. So I would look here...
Wow, great thanks!
Hi Rob, 3 0ut of 4 replacement parts came from Lionel. The U joint was purchased separately. I will look up the name of the company I purchased it from and post it here when I find it.
Regards,
Tom.
The gear and switch is Lionel. The driveshaft looks like a Stock Drive Parts item. The Lionel driveshaft has a double U joint with plastic spyders. There is a less expensive and even stronger U joint that can be made with a pair of 4mm U joints found on eBay. If you plan to do this yourself, the metal U joints have to be shortened. The SDP shaft can be used as is. They both work. I have used them both.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-...7:g:6uoAAOSwa-dWssbp
Pete
Thanks guys... much appreciated Tom
Hi Rob,
The U joint did come from SDP/SI.
It was a perfect fit w/ no cutting needed.
The Part # is (A 5Z 8MD 304)
SDP #'s are 1-800-819-8900 or 1-516-328-3300. Fax # 516-326-8827.
They are located in Hicksville, NY.
Happy New Year to All.
Tom.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
