My Lionel 2025 engine with nickle rim drivers wobbles side to side as it runs the track. What would cause that?
Hello ricsmart!
The 675/2025 series engines that Lionel made were famous for wobbling as their Drive Wheels were mounted off-center on the Axles by the Factory Workers. If you have a Lionel Service Station in your area, they may be able to help you out by re-mounting the drivers correctly. These days, this is not a problem as newer engines are made with more precise specifications at the factory. Hope this helps. Take Care.
I have not seen any mounted off center, but I have seen a few with worn out axle bushings that are egg shaped that cause the engine to hobble. Worn out axle bushings is the most common thing you will see I think. Grab your wheels and try to move them up and down and back and forth. You may be surprised how much slop there is.
Roger
I’m glad this subject was brought up.
I bought a Lionel train set around Christmas, the Denver, Rio Grande Western Fast Freight. It came with a 2-8-4 Birkshire that wobbles. I didn’t notice it at first then when I expanded the layout I noticed it. The box says the set was manufactured in May 2008. That makes it a fairly new set with all the new technology.
It certainly hasn’t had enough run time to wear out the bearings. I would think that the axle is not mounted in the center of the wheel, which would be a manufacutrer defect. I only recently noticed it so I’ll probably see if I can take it to the nearest authorized shop to get it corrected.
Bill
I can tell you first hand that some of the newest engines built in China for Lionel have VERY bad wheel problems, most notibly the wheel gages are way out. This is causing binding in turns and including wheels jumping out of the rails.
I guess we will now hear from the Orange and Blue defect suppression team.
Roger
Hello Trainrat!
Just connect two wires from a Transformer & hold your 2025 in your hand & you will see the wheels wobble while they turn. Worn out axle bushings can cause the same problem also. If there is any play in the axle bushings then they should be replaced too. All of the companies have some sort of quality control problem with the Chinese Factories. It isn’t just Lionel or MTH. It is all of them unfortunately. Most of the problems are with the Electronics & others are with Switch Tracks or Paint Application. It just depends on what you buy I guess. Take Care.
Your on the wrong forum if you want a brand war. As for the wobble on 2025s some do and some don’t. I have both and actually like to see it run that way because the real ones did too.
just for you knowlage MTH has had same problem and this comes from a freind that owns a hobby shop. in fact hes seen it with just about all makes rare in all cases but yes it happens with all makes the problem your talking about. not common as you make it sound.