2020 axle bearings missing from factory?

I have a lionel 2020 turbine, and noticed none of the drive axles have bearings.Has anyone ever seen this before? The engine seems to run ok. Thanks

I am not aware of any postwar engines with bearings on the axles. I think they all have bushings.

Earl

Hello,

I have worked on many postwar Lionel turbines, of all types: 2020, 671, 681, and 682.

I don’t recall ever seeing one without axle bushing (bearings).

I don’t see how one of these engines could run with the bushings missing.