Hey all, I have this new out of the box Lionel sw switcher. When I run it, it whines. I lubed everything and greased the gears but that didn’t help. Anyone know what the issue might be? I’d like to fix it myself if it’s something. Straight forward. Thanks in advance.
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Probably a very dry bearing or gear train due missed a lubrication point.
No hands-on experience with this loco, but always start with the easy things first - and it might be a wheel or traction tire/truck side frame interference. It gets louder on the curve.
I had a Williams NW-2 that ran poorly in one direction. Turns out that the side frame was mounted a bit off-center (couldn't see it) and the traction tire was rubbing the brake shoe - the brake shoe was actually acting as a real brake shoe! I removed the side frame and Moto-Tooled the inside of the shoe to a larger radius that did not rub the tire.
It does not sound like a tire problem - the sound, in fact, does not - but perhaps it is an accessible wheel/truck interference.
You must have missed a spot. Dry, friction, bearing surface needs a drop of oil. Be thorough, but oil SPARINGLY- one drop will do it!
Take a look here:
https://ogrforum.com/...-with-new-lionel-sw7
If this is your locomotive - different road name - choices are to either open it up and follow instructions for adding lube where needed or send it to Lionel service (this was my choice).
Now that the screeching is gone, this is one of my favorite engines - I have #1808 Union Pacific.
Good luck and I hope you get some peace and quiet soon!
Stan
Yes, this is a legacy sw7. Same engine as in that other tread. I'll give it shot! thanks everyone.
stangtrain posted:Take a look here:
https://ogrforum.com/...-with-new-lionel-sw7
If this is your locomotive - different road name - choices are to either open it up and follow instructions for adding lube where needed or send it to Lionel service (this was my choice).
No need to open it up. There is a grease port in each truck.
Why do it the hard way?
I found the grease ports, and force pushed in white grease 3 different times. It got a little better, but still howled like all get out when run slowly. I then went crazy on the outside gears and force/pushed grease as far down in those gears as I could, and used a toothpick to try and get some between the gear box and those small inside gears. After that purred like a kitten. No more howling.
It’s a terrific little engine. Enjoy!
Had that happen with a Legacy NW and a SW. SENT ‘em both to Lionel - now they run super quiet. One had a bad truck, the other had a drive shaft issue.
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