Recent Quality

Based on my experience, it isn't just Lionel. Since 2022, every brand-new loco I have purchased has gone back for warranty work. There is major room for improvement, but as long as people keep buying, there is no incentive to improve quality.

I have a set of Lionel NYC green e8s,  they sound fine in one direction, but make a grinding type noise in the other direction.

The issue of apparent excess side-to-side play in Lionel's diesel axles isn't new.  I remember reading and posting about this problem circa 2018?  Before the pandemic, for sure.  If the wheels are gauged wide or not fully pressed on their axles, you might be able to squeeze them in a vise.  You could also take up the slack by inserting thin washers on the opposite side of the axle.

Nuclear option, order a couple of replacement trucks from Lionel.  Keep the best ones, and send the worst ones back to them as defective!

I’ve bought only 2 new Lionel locos since 2021, one has gone back due to a board problem, the other has been fine. No mechanical issues that I can tell.

I haven't bought anything from Lionel for several years either for the reason mentioned above. 

After reading this post, I realized the "grinding" was the same result of my Conrail SD-50!  I thought I was just running it too heavy, but noticed the same results running light!

I remedied the issue by installing 2 C-clamps or (E-clamps? I never know what to call them) on the axles opposite the gears.  (Yes, there was that much space that two clamps are needed!)  I was able to place them above the axle and then push down with a rivet tool.  They "popped" in nicely and are snug and secure.

Now the engine runs smooth with no grinding!

These were clamps that I found in my workbench that were unlabelled so I took a pic in case anyone wants to make the repair.