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Problem with LionChief Polar Berk

M MoonmanOGR Forum Member

I have the 6-30218 LionChief Polar express set, which I purchased to replace the conventional 6-31960 set. I am having a problem with the leading truck on the engine. It will derail randomly. Not enough to short to the center rail, but derails. (gets really messed up and shorts when the grandson is running at ludicrous speed) This occurs at every speed except a crawl. Running on 036 & 048 FasTrack. I didn't have this problem with the conventional engine.

 

There doesn't seem to be enough weight or downward pressure from the spring to keep it on the rails. In fact, it seems the spring may be too strong. I have also considered that perhaps the fixed coupler with the tender (which the conventional didn't have) may be holding down the rear of the loco and taking weight from the front.

 

Has anyone had this problem with a leading truck on an engine and found a solution?

Last edited by Moonman
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M MoonmanOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by baltimoretrainworks:

I had a similar problem with my Polar Express. There's a bushing in the trucks the axle goes into and one of mine had fallen out. The wheels were then very loose and sloppy and would derail easily.

 

Jerry

Jerry,

Thanks, just checked, the axle bearings are there. Seems like a lot of side-to-side play the way the wheels are set. More than the rear truck. About twice the clearance of the rear truck wheel from the inside edge of the side plates by eyeballing it.

M MoonmanOGR Forum Member

Update: While checking the wheel sets I discovered that one of the axle bearings on the large wheel set in the rear pilot was broken trackside. The axle tip was riding low. So, perhaps it was binding or doing bad things causing the front to jump around.

 

Really strange, it's never flopped or been dropped. New in Nov. 13.

 

None of the four dealers in driving distance had them. Order placed with Lionel. I'll update at the end of the week after I get the parts.

 

Thanks for your input, I would have never looked at the axle bearings.

Last edited by Moonman
M MoonmanOGR Forum Member

I replaced the axle bearing for the large wheel axle in the trailing truck. That solved the problem!

It was difficult to see. The axle would be ok and then get of whack and made the pilot truck jump enough to derail. Never thought to check the rear or other wheels.

 

I still don't know how it broke. When I was installing the new bearing with the axle set it was very tempting to just press on the axle. I pressed on both bearings until they seated and clicked. Perhaps an assembly person trying to make quota.

 

Anyway, the Pole Ex is heading for Flat Top tunnel again! Thanks for the help.

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