Wobble

Glenn,

Check out the traction tires on the wheels. Sometimes the tire will not lay flat on the wheel, thus, producing a wobble as the engine moves. Just a thought.

I'm not familiar with the set you've purchased but I'm guessing it's diesel powered. The main problems I've discovered with wobble issues are the traction tires and a high center-of-gravity of the frame in relation to the trucks.

I've used foam pads used to prevent chair legs from scratching the floor on the trucks to keep the frame from wobbling in the past. Works very well and is reversable if desired.

Traction tire wobble is a different story. I haven't found a good way to fix this problem without effecting locomotive performance. Hopefully we'll both get an answer to this question.

Thanks guys.

Yes a Diesel.

I will check out the traction tires. I did notice that they appear in the form of an "O" ring

in lieu of a flat band.

The idea of sticky pads under the body seems to be a good idea.

Thank you for your suggestions.

The wobble is most likely resulting from the traction tires, so that's the first place to check.  This is not an uncommon problem.

Check the rubber traction tires to see if one is riding high (beyond the flange).  If so, see if you can simply push it down so it is even with the outer rim of the flange.  If the problem is the tire itself--meaning it's already fully seated but has a big spot on it, just a sharp single-edge razor blade to trim it flush with the flange rim.

Glenn, I have the same LIRR set and know what you mean with the wobble problem. I ended up removing the traction tires altogether which helped a bit, but there is still a slight wobble left. I will try the pad idea next.

An instructional video...

Jon

Try MTH traction tires.  If that is no better you might want to exchange the locomotive because there may be excessive wobble in one or more axles.  The final thing you can do is to try to add some weight to the chassis of the locomotive.  I have seen people use anything from wheel weights you purchase in an automotive store (the square type with stick on pads) to door hinges.  Finally, sometimes there is, despite your efforts, some wobble with certain locomotives.  It was much more of an issue during the MPC era, and it's really just a question of seeing how much you can improve the issue, and if you can live with it.  If not, return the locomotive.  Happily, LIRR (another LI native here) is not that uncommon anymore, so hopefully you can find a decent running locomotive.  Good luck.

As others have said it really does sound like a traction tire that is not quite down in its groove.  This happens from time and time and the most likely suspect anytime there is a wobble - the the left-right movement happens, too.  Playing with weights and all might solve the problem but I doubt it - it could make it worse.  

Another option is to call Nassau Hobby and just ask to talk to someone about it.  They are maybe the best guys in the industry and take a real interest in both their customers and people who love the hobby.  They may have some ideas on how you can either fix it or exchange it easily for another.  

Man it totally suc@@ to have trains not working properly right out of the box.Hope Lionel will give you a new one.I have a couple of deisels that wobble when they are under heavy load.Nick

Run the engine real slow at eye level and I'd bet you'll find that a wheel is off center on the axle.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I did look again at the traction tire, but did not notice anything unusual. But

my eyes are not that great without a lot of light, I may have to reinspect the tires.

I do have a bad habit of purchasing items and letting them sit for some time before opening them. I know this can get me into trouble if the product was physically broke.

I will try to remedy the situation, I will not try to contact Nassau Hobby for a exchange

because I waited so long after the sale. I would not feel right doing so.

In the event of a wheel being off center to it's axle, how would one remedy this?

Traction tires get flat spotted because the loco sits in the packaging on the wheels for many months from the time it is manufactured to when you finally take it out of the box.

The few diesels I own all had some degree of wobble when first placed on the track.

The best way to verify the tire problem is to put the rail at eye level (if thats possible) and observe the wheel and tire as the locomotive rolls past slowly. You will see the metal part of the wheel rise and fall in response to the "out of round" tire.

All reduced and eventually stopped wobbling with some run time. The biggest change was on a diesel that spent several weeks shelved in favor of steamers.

As it sat on the shelf on its flanges, the flat spots went away.