Problem with Lionel Animated Pylon with Airplane

If you take the plane and rod off, does the motor hum away and sound like it's moving freely?  Look at the top and see if the D shaped hole in the coupling the rod mounts to seems to be spinning properly.

 

If this is new old stock and it's the original single airplane pylon, maybe there is some gunked up grease in the gears after the last 15 years or so?

 

There is a plastic piece on the end of the rod (inside the building) that attaches to the motor gear.  If memory serves (I believe all pylons are the same in this regard), it is just a friction fit.

 

Assuming your motor doesn't sound like it's about to die, it could be something with this piece or the mating surface on the gear box.

 

In the past I think this part was listed as unavailable on the Lionel Website.  There is a service sheet page for the original airplane accessory in the Service manuals section, probably in one of the higher numbered documents.

 

Good luck.

 

-Dave

Funny thing, just went downstairs and turned it on and now it is working.  It worked last night and this morning it did not want to work.  I turned it on just now and it is working again.  It makes a clicking sound as it turns around.  Is that right?  Thanks! for your reply.  Dana 

Sounds like a cracked plastic gear if it stops again.

I'm thinking from what you describe I had the same problem.  I bought the santas pylon it was new old stock and would only partially spin and kinda made a funny noise as it attempted to spin.  If I remember correctly there were plastic gears inside that were stripped preventing from spinning properly.  I took mine to my LHS and they found a new motor and replaced it.  The Whole motor had to be replaced as lionel doesn't sell the individual parts inside the motor houseing. It Works like a champ now.

I had the Same problem. Lionel does not stock the Gear Case. The said they won't unless,they come out with another Accessory like that!!! AND I don't see one in there new Catalog!!