lionel 397 newer coal loader help please

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Sorry for posting this twice but another member recommended I post my question in this form for my chances of a solution…

I was lucky enough to find a modern version of the 397 6-14004 coal loader and it was in like new condition and operating great. That is until I discovered there was bits of coal jammed in the conveyor belt assembly and the belt would intermittently turn when power turned on.

So that issue I did fix by taking the conveyor and shaft assembly apart and cleaned everything out. Now the conveyor belt turns freely and nice but another problem has developed. (I do not believe it is anything I did not put back together correct and assembled and disassembled carefully.)

When I hook the hot and ground wire up to the wire posts the motor will not start. The coal loader will only work if I have the ground wire attached to one of the metal base screws. It is as if the metal base is acting as the ground and by passing the actual wire posts.

I have it wired to my MTH 14V Z1000 transformer power supply accessory voltage with the red on\off switch. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Steve

2

Here is the link to the manual. That might help.

https://www.lionelsupport.com/media/servicedocuments/71-4004-250.pdf

3

You beat me to it AL, [(-D]

4

Thanks I think I already looked through it when I first got it but I’ll double check. I don’t know what happened but maybe it is something I didn’t put back together correctly because it was fine until it was dismantled :frowning:

5

On the original 397, one of the binding posts is supposed to connect directly to the base, which is indeed part of the motor circuit.

6

Yes but the problem is when I try to utilize the two binding posts it does not kick on. It only kicks on when I attach the ground (black) wire to one of the two little black screws that holds a cover on the base. I was trying to upload a picture so you could see exactly what I am referring to but I don’t see any option to do that.

Regards,

Steve

7

If you restore the connection between one of the binding posts and the base (which seems to me to be the probable correct arrangement), then connecting to that binding post will be the same as connecting to the base; so the motor should run. Check your reassembly. Is there not a way to reassemble the binding posts so that one of them connects to the base?

8

Where do I find a replacement loader belt for my 397 Coal Loader?

Apologies for jumping on an existing thread, but the information is related…

Thanks in advance!

9

The belt for the 307 is #397-6 available at The Train Tender.

Larry

10

Thank you for the quick response TrainLarry! I’ve been lurking this forum for 3 weeks or so, and wasn’t having much luck (even if it is common knowledge to the regulars)!