You may want to check your Lionel lionchief Polar Express motor.

Thanks for the post. Good advice

Was this on the model with the newer, large motor, or the older, small motor version?  

Edit:  Thanks for the replies.  I should probably learn to read, as I missed the part about it being a LionChief.  

JGL

JohnGaltLine posted:

Was this on the model with the newer, large motor, or the older, small motor version?  

I understand all the LC units have the larger motor.

I would say it is the larger motor. I went to a local shop which had a motor for a Berkshire Jr. but that motor was about half the size of the one I have to replace.

This is the motor

This is what happens to the gear

That says a lot about quality. Wonder how much money they saved using one screw ??

The engine was made for both screws as the recessed pockets are in the frame for them. It might just be they got overlooked on the assembly line. Maybe it was Friday quitting time or going to lunch thing.

Jim

You funny. I had a good laugh on that one.

Even though I do think the China fellow might have did a boo boo.

Larry

Looks like this may end up being a common problem.  I've been running my LionChief PE for its third season.  The kids and I were playing on the lay out when the Loco started seizing up.  It was making a horrid sound as it desperately needed grease.  Upon taking apart I discovered one of the screws for the motor stuck to the screw mechanism.  Luckily, no damage was done.  I cleaned up the threads, added a little locktite and re-installed.  Good as new!  Adding this as an inspection point when greasing from now on.

Interesting that the PE and Berkshire Jr. have different motors.  I had thought they were the same engine.

Originally they were the same... but then Lionel manufactured so many add-on cars, they had to beef up the motors.

Jon  

This is a very common issue. I have observed this condition on many entry level steam locos like the Pennsy Flyer and others. Sometimes the worm shaft gets destroyed. Sometimes it's the worm wheel on the axle. 

I can verify Nelson's post. I have had to replace 2 motors in Polar Express LionChief  engines because of only 1 screw.

I don't think Lionel is trying to save money by only using 1 screw, I think it's just the typical quality control we are forced to live with.

Thanks to the OP for posting this.  I have a few engines that may fall into this even though they are not LionChief.

One question, can older PE units accept the new motor?  I am thinking if Lionel thought to use a more expensive part in the newer ones, I should upgrade while parts are available if I can...  I also have a PRR Horseshoe curve set with the Berkshire.

Tony

You can, but it will require re-drilling the motor mount screw holes in the frame, and enlarging the motor mount hole.

Are those bronze axle wipes on the upside down truck ??  I hate those things.

Yes, and they wear out very quickly and as of now Lionel is out of replacements.

I cannot believe this. This is totally unacceptable. I almost bought one of these sets too. This is such an iconic set for lionel, it is hard to belive it is not getting more attention from them.

Joe Gozzo

That is sad quality.  Don't feel bad, I just received my two Chinese digital panel meters which were supposed to be 200volts AC.  They are clearly marked on the box and on the meter label 200volts DC.  Both meters.  At least they are consistent.   Just took me 10 weeks to get them.

I don't know what competition is like in China but Lionel definitely needs to fire their contractor. It may be too late to save the Lionel name. I simply cannot buy these lower end sets.

Rod Miller

Being in to Prewar and Postwar trains I thought I would get my feet wet and buy a Polar Express set.  Don't think so. Unacceptable.  And so it continues, back to my Standard gauge.

I think the Lioncheif series as a whole is good. However, the way it is being executed is not. These starter sets are supposed to get get people interested in our hobby, and it is doing the opposite.

I know some were going to order this set from amazon, and because of the horrible reviews, they chose not to. Poses the question about the higher end lioncheif's quality as well.

Joe Gozzo

Amazon reviews show an almost 50/50 split on good and bad for the Polar Express Lionchief set.

Some of the reviews are downright hostile towards Lionel.

Sean

These threads on here about quality lately seriously kept me from buying any new motive power this holiday season.  

I ended up buying a Lionel Polar Express tender shell on the web, it fits perfectly on my postwar tender (screw holes are exactly the same) which is pulled by a restored nearly 70 year old 671 turbine that runs flawlessly and is easy to fix.  I also bought some used Polar Express cars for cheap.  It looks awesome and nobody knows the difference.  I don't need any headaches running modern junk.

Sean007 posted:

Amazon reviews show an almost 50/50 split on good and bad for the Polar Express Lionchief set.

Some of the reviews are downright hostile towards Lionel.

Sean

I hear what you are saying. However, it is difficult when we as hobbyists try to promote Lionel, and other manufacturers as well as hobby in general. I would think most of these buyers on amazon either are new to the hobby or remember a set that was in their household long ago.

Either way, seeing 50% of the reviews on the negative side is not helping and leaving a question mark. I have been a Lionel fan for 60 years, and have prewar, postwar, and new production. All I am saying as these reviews and other issues that have been posted on this forum are concerning, as perception is reality.

Joe Gozzo

I just opened up mine and there was no grease. I took care of that, but now I lost my chuffing sounds! I'll get a chuff or two every few minutes...

You made me look; opened mine up too. Two screws, check. Modest amount of grease, check. Gears are in great shape and the motor is tight. Packed it well with Red-n-Tacky grease, oiled the axles and put it up. Ready for next year.

The locomotive sees exclusive use on our club's modular layout. Handing off the remote to the children to run it a major plus. It routinely pulls 10 cars for 2-4 hours at a stretch. This is it's third season on the layout w/o failure. My Gen1 version was getting repaired/rebuilt at least once a year.

The only deficit, I may get Gunrunnerjohn to upgrade the smoke unit. 

In defense of John Q Public that wants to buy a toy and run it; they don't understand that you actually have to work on these things. We had a family visit the layout on Friday with a 10 yr old Lionel 2-4-2 steamer. It would barely move under its own power. Gears/axles were dry and had wadded up cat hair. The pickup rollers would not turn. Five minutes of cleaning, oiling, and greasing, and it took off an ran like a scalded duck. VERY happy little boy!!!!

Well said Gilly!

These issues have not prevented me from getting further into the Hobby.  In fact, the opposite.  I'm learning lots more about them and how to maintain them, and gives me an avenue to teach my kids about maintaining things so that they last.  It's been a ton of fun.  I started with  a Pennsylvania Flyer LionChief kit and loved it.  Move onto the LionChief PE, then the 10th Anni. PE, and now awaiting the Mickeys Christmas set that came out this season.  Loving all the fun we can have as a family with them

It is interesting to see "1946" technology  in those wheel sets and bearings setting them in place like that pictured above.

 Lionel made in "1946" 1 year only production #726 Berkshire similar wheels sets similar bearings where each set is able to come out once the pickup plate and drive rods are removed has worm gear on front and rear set.

Just interesting personally to see that setup on a modern engine.

I opened up my 10th anniversary PE Berk today to check the motor mounting screws.  Fortunately both screws were present, I did tighten them a little bit.  Wasn't a major excess of grease but what was extra was gathered up and spread on the worm gear.  Put it all back together, oiled all the linkage and put it under the tree.  Seems to be running like new.

In 2018 I purchased a Lionel Lionchief Polar Express with remote SKU: 6-30218, for my Grandson. It's the NON-Bluetooth version. I oil it up each year. My Grandsons are 6 & 3 and probably played with the trains more this year than usual. We alternate between various Lionchief engines, mostly for variety.

The engine has been used only as a Xmas layout set. It's been an excellent runner, quite, smooth, nice slow speed performance, but at the end of this past Xmas season, it developed a noticeable whine when running. Boys being boys, they like to run fast. With 2 loops of track, it's never, lets run the trains but lets race them! How could you blame them. I always use a variable transformer to keep the voltage low & high speed within reason. I also monitor them to be sure they're careful.

I decided to remove the engine until I could at least grease up the gears. I only removed the bottom plate, cleaned up some excess oil & grease then re-lubricated. Inspection showed little to no wear. Back together & on the track with no change in the noise.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Joe