problem with the Lionel 3620 searchlight car

The searchlight has a plastic (perhaps rubber) drive ring. On most searchlight cars, the ring is cemented to the inside of the searchlight bracket with the fingers pointing down. Some very early searchlight cars have it cemented to the drive coil, with the fingers facing up.

Either way, the fingers on the drive ring may be worn, or stiff from age. The ring could even be missing.

If so, you need a new ring. Try to get an OEM Lionel one, IMHO some of the repros don't work so well.

Make certain the surface that the fingers contact is clean.

Do not lubricate the mechanism.

If the ring is good, more "advanced" problems I've seen include:

raised parting line on the drive coil form

poorly grounded drive coil

trucks too lose

coil loose

Thanks C.W, for helping me out. I inspected that ring again (glued in the bracket) and there hardly any fingers to be seen. Only a few almost flattened stubs. I think the years of standing still, the weight of the search light did it.

I'm gonna after a new ring.

thanks again, Kieffer

If you can't get a NOS Lionel ring, I have found that MTH rings that work well on either company's.

Definitely do not buy the repro rings. Most won't work.

Rob

Thanks again! This is really a great forum with helpful people.

The ring, on the net I found Olsen Parts, they call it a drive washer. They also list an 'adhesive washer', I guess that's the sticky paper ring?

A bit of topic, but I am happy with my searchlight car, as I do like the play value. Which is one of the reasons I am fascinated by Lionel products. I can't think of any other make that laid such emphasis on play value, a perfect match between toy and 'scale'.

regards, Kieffer

There are certain parts, including those drive rings, that I will only purchase directly from Lionel, or in person from a parts dealer (so I can determine whether they will be OK)

Unfortunately, most parts dealers no longer indicate whether their parts are original postwar, modern era Lionel, or repro.

I guess you could write and ask Olsens.

I mount my drive rings with a few (usually 4 spaced 90 degress out) small drops of thick, elastic super glue.

I find that the rings can be removed, and the super glue will peel off the metal of the searchlight bracket.

Kieffer, I got mine from Lionel parts department together with the replacement bulbs, cheap as chips and it all works fine now.

I fixed mine with lugs (fingers) facing down with a couple of spots of glue