wobbly lionel sw-1 switcher

If it’s from that time period, you probably have wheels that are off-center on the axles. I have an SD9 with the same issue, any way you can post a video of what’s going on?

If it has traction tires and stored/displayed sitting on rails the tires could have flat spots from sitting.

i d not have a smart phone, but the traction tires look like snake skin, dry, rough, and slip when you touch them

Lionel traction tires are know to be too thick.  I'd replaced with MTH tires.

Yes, as mentioned above it is wheels pressed on the axle off center. Many blame the tires, but it's almost always the wheels. Run the engine real slow at eye level and you will see wobbly wheels.

I had an MTH MP-15 Switcher and found the wheels had casting imperfections on several sets. Like there was a Sprue on the Die Cast that wasn't fully removed.

I took a light file to the imperfections and now mine doesn't do the hulu while running down the track.

I had that same problem with a Lionel Burlington Northern SW1 from that era. Apparently a common problem.

thank you for all replies, i have fixed the problem by returning the engine to the seller. now my hunt for another alaska loco begins. thanks tim

NW-2

Jon

@KOOLjock1 posted:

NW-2

Jon

I was wondering about that, too. But apparently Lionel MPC was marketing it as an SW1 (marked as such on the boxes) even though it clearly was not. It looked like Lionel’s traditional NW2 tooling.

Yeah, Lionel screwed that up worse than their GP7, GP9, GP20 thing!

Jon

good morning, before i returned the locomtive i contacted lionel, as per lionel customer service, the 222-108 tires are too thick for these loco's the correct part 680-1365206. i do'nt know, but this might help someone. as for my search for an alaska diesel, i purchased an ARR RS-3 from a reputable dealer on ebay. let you know when it arrives next week. stay safe and thanks for the responses. tim