I have post war linonel train circ 1955 i laid the track and the problem is the engine stands in place and the wheel spins like its on a hill, im sure its because it has been boxed up for many years any suggestions on oil etc reconditioning that I can do. Its an f unit, My dad pre war engine works fine so im pretty sure its not the tracks, any suggestions on getting it running better. The nearest place to take it in in 120 miles away and Id like to run them just a little this Christmas. Any help or suggetions wopuld be appreciated. Ken in Missouri.
Have you tried cleaning the wheels on the engine? Sounds like dirt has built up on them, take a small flat tip screwdriver and run it over the wheels one time if any dirt comes off that is most likely your problem. Also you may want to take the shell off and clean the motor and brushes while you are at it.
Lee F.
thanks I will try that are you or anyone aware of a site that shows how to clean the motor contacts etc?
Ken, it’s pretty easy. Flip the locomotive over, find the rollers and clean those thoroughly, then clean the wheels. 91% isopropyl alcohol on cotton swabs would be fine.
thanks i will try that what about the motor and brushes
Theres tons of info out there, start here. http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd1.htm, click on loco service for more. If you know the # of your loco, [it’s stamped on the side of loco] you can even search his site for a blow up of your loco for part #'s if you need them. Follow directions and take your time and be very careful of small parts as they get lost super easy. Have a cup or something to put all parts in so as not to lose them. I even lay a old towel down so things won’t roll off table. Good Luck
great site thanks for the information stubbsO
I would start by just cleaning the wheels and rollers. Sometimes that’s all the train needs. No point in doing extra work, right? [:)]
Good luck getting it running and let us know how it works out for you.
make sure the wheels on the other truck spin freely. I had a 45 marine rocket launcher that did the same thing. Between the dirty drive wheels and the stiff spinning wheels, it would just sit there and spin. cleaning the drive wheels and oiling the others solved the problem
Sure, clean it all. Then a “oil and lube” job will make it run good. Grease will have a habit of getting hard when stored for years. I stored some for 18 years. Cleaned and lubed. Ran like new.
Is it a dual motor unit? If it is, make sure that both motors are working.
does anyone know of a site that describes how to oil and clean the unit the wheels are easy but as far as other areas need cleaning a diagram instuctions would be helpfull thanks to everyone who replied
OOOH, that is a hard one. I am mechanically inclined. I just took my first one apart remembering how it came apart. Reversed the order. Seen some videos on this [OGR Backshop is good]. If you are not comfortable doing it, take it to a shop. If they let you, watch. Then you can do it.
What is the number on the engine. (reason asking if we new exactly what you have some can help more this way and may even have a diagram of it includine oil/lube points.
Olsen’s has diagrams and exploded views of Lionel post war locomotives. These drawings clearly show how the assemblies go together and go so far as to label each piece with their part number. Go there and look up yours.
Jim
Since the wheels are spinning, don’t worry about the “guts” for now. As others have said, clean the track, wheels, and pick-up rollers. Also make sure it’s not pulling too many cars, ESPECIALLY ones that need their wheels oiled. Joe
my engine is 2333, its the typical red SF from around 1954 or 55 I went to the olsens site they did have an parts diagram but what i need is lube points etc what to clean etc. I could take it in to a repair shop but its quite along way from here. Also I always try and do things myself, maybe Im cheap but also its fun and I get a sense of satification when I do it and it works. I wont say how many times I have failed but thats another story thanks rtraincollector for your help
Gears, lube. Axles where they touch metal [bears or other] oil. If you take motor armature or the whole thing out, pinion gear, lube. On motors mounted on an angle, tiny hole near end where shaft comes out, oil. This should cover all engines. Not just this one. Now you know.
Your train is older than that. It was made in the late 1940’s. Lube and oil points are as Chief pointed out. Lubing (grease) gears on those F units may be a little tricky for a newbie. You must remove hardened grease first. I’ll bet you can do it!
Jim
I think Joseph has a good point. If it is a 2333, it has two motors. One of them seems not to be working. The wheels that do turn are just on one truck, right? Check the wiring to the other truck first.