Hi - On my Lionel 2026 (from an earlier post I believe this is the earlier version of the 2026, early 1940s) one of the steel rings around one of the wheels has come loose and occasionally pops off the wheel, stopping the train from moving. How do I get this piece (is it called a “steel rim”?) to stay on. The other 5 steel rings are on tight. Are they glued? Crimped? Other? Thanks.
It’s a “tire”. Prototype tires were heated to expand them, then placed on the wheel and allowed to shrink as they cooled.
I’ve never had this problem; but, if I did, I think I would try to upset the wheel, just a little and very cautiously, perhaps by driving a punch into it at a few spots around the periphery, enough to make the tire a force fit, but not so much that I couldn’t get it on.
Another possibility would be glue or loctite.
Do what Bob says, then drip a tiny amount of regular(non-gel) CA/Super Glue into the mating surface so it is drawn in by capillary action around the entire circumference. It will be ready to run in about 10 minutes.
Rob
Small drops of super glue placed 180 degrees apart worked well for me on the same type of engine and same problem.
Mike
Add me to the Super Glue list.
I’d clean the surfaces carefully with mineral spirits, and make certain they are completely dry before applying the glue.
Super Glue will also fix a wheel that is loose on it’s axle, as long as the hole isn’t distorted, or the axle bent.