What Did You Fix Today?

The term "wheezing" is a colorful description of what's going on - I like it. But the reality is, your oil most likely got in between the gear hole and the shaft or stud it is mounted on - that's where the noise originates from. It will likely come back some time in the future - next time just put the tiniest drop of oil on each gear center hole, or even do them one at a time if you want to find the offender! I always start with the motor's armature shaft, that's where I typically find the wheezing!!

I often like to do this while the engine is cradled in my lap with jumper wires attached and running at a moderate speed - it is gratifying to apply that one little drop and hear the noise instantly vanish!

Arnold,

Wheezing or not, that is a good-looking engine. Lionel really did an excellent job of scaling down locomotives to traditional size. But, as for myself, I didn't fix anything today.

MELGAR

Today I repaired a Lionel prewar Celebration Series #261E Steam Locomotive from the #269 O Gauge Freight Train Special.  I got this set back in 2006 and the unbelievably erratic trains sounds in this thing has been driving me crazy ever since I purchased it.   Interestingly enough this was the third one I bought because the first two were dead in the box.   Anyway I posted a photo of the train and its very colorful box on the Tinplate video and pics for the week of 3/5/20 topic and in the post I mentioned my troubles with this engine.  Steve "Papa" Eastman posted back that this engine was notorious for having  a screw on the pick up roller striking the axle and causing all sorts of problems.  I never noticed it before but when I checked there it was.  He recommended a quick fix by bending the screw mount away from the axle.  Today I did just that and the problem is cured.  Just one of the many reasons I have been a member on this forum for 19 years.

Repaired a new to me train.

MTH PS3 Black 261E

New 40mm drawbar and two new white flags. Runs great with awesome sound and smoke.

This is a good thread and Arnold started it five years ago. Thanks for resurrecting an informative topic.

Jay

I repaired a set of Williams 20in heavyweight cars. The pickup roller bushings (apparently a direct copy of Lionel parts) had worn out and the plastic springs were broken off or had lost all tension. I "improved" the design by getting new plastic bushings, cutting off the plastic springs, and adding a metal coil springs from my spare parts box. Also replaced a few of the rollers that looked worn with Lionel parts, again apparently a direct copy by Williams. They run well now with very little flickering. I've thought of adding detailed interiors but the colored passenger window strips do have a certain charm.

My nephew and train buddy came over yesterday to show me his new to him train purchase from our LHS in Newark Del. He picked up at a very good price a new old stock Williams B&O E7 with nine 70' passenger cars. I got him going on servicing the engine, all of the traction tires had to be removed as they were covered in grease probably from being stored in a hot climate, tires and wheels cleaned and reinstalled. Removed the old grease and relubed  the gearboxes and reassembled everything (I let him do all of the work) After a few laps she ran great pulling all nine cars. It was a great day!