I inherited my dad’s Lionel train set “No. 1124 Steam Freight”. The engine number is 237 . I believe he bought in the 60’s. I wanted to get it going to help him relive the past while we still have time. I hooked up the tracks and transfer. The engine lights turn on and there is a slight hum from the engine but it won’t move. It does roll around the track easily with no power lose. I bought a second transfer hoping it would resolve this issue. Both are putting out 15v at full power so I assume they good.
Any thoughts/suggestions on why it won’t move? If you think it needs repair is there anyone around Richmond VA that could repair?
The motor mechanism in a postwar Lionel 237 can be finicky due to the design of it’s reversing mechanism.
Here are a couple of things to try:
There is a fiber lever sticking out of the top of the locomotive.
With the power off, flip the lever back and forth sharply several times, pausing between each flip. (Not so hard as to damage anything). Finish with the lever foward towards the cowcatcher.
Does it run at all now? - good.
If it runs backwards, turn off the power and flip it back and forth once!.
(remember to pause between flips)It should now run forward.
You can try putting the lever back towards the cab to turn the reversing unit back on. But it may hang up again.
If the above doesn’t work, put the lever back towards the cab, hold the engine in your hand and give it a sharp rap on the top with your other hand (not so hard as to damage anything or hurt your hand).
Put it on the track. If it runs fine, if not, retry the flipping above.
If you still have problems, then the loco probably should be checked by an experienced repair person.
Be aware that many repair persons will not work on those mechanisms, and will recommend you replace it. It is a time consuming repair that could be expensive.
But they are serviceable, I’ve done my share of them.
When I got my 237, it was by far the best locomotive I owned.
Thank you all for the suggestions. I have moved the switch but not in the way cwburfle described. I will try later today and provide an update. Thank you!
If you leave the switch back, the engine will reverse every time it is powered up, and the problem will reoccur from time to time. (But if it does, you know how to get it going again) Some individual motors are worse than others.
If you leave the switch forward, the engine will only run in one direction, and the problem should not reoccur.