Hey gang, a new member here. Can someone post a link or 2 on cleaning/servicing lionel diesels? I’ve got a 2 motor Santa Fe 2343(i think is the number) and the wheels on the rear truck don’t turn, and the engine moves very very slowly. I’m guessing it’s just full of old dirt/grease and just needs to be serviced. The E-unit seems to work properly. I’ve completely disassembled, cleaned/lubed, & reassembled some Marx engines w/ good success, but they are much simpler than the Lionel engines. Also have a Texas Special & a Turbine that need a good cleaning.
I just take them apart. If you have problems remembering where screws and etc go, lay them out on a big white sheet of paper and lable them. I use alcohol and lots of swabs [I like the wooden ones like the DR. uses]. I lube the gears with Lebel synthetic grease. Other parts with synthetic oil in a needle bottle [helps cut down on excess]. Good luck.
Considering the pieces you have, I would suggest getting a copy of “Greenberg’s Guide to Lionel Trains 1945-1969”. It is a manual that gives the diagrams as well as suggested Maint.
Thanks for the reply. I don’t have the shell off the Santa Fe yet, but when I took the shell of the Texas
Special & saw the worm drive motor, I figured an exploded parts diagram would be a big asset in assembly/disassembly. The Marx motors are very simple, straight forward compared to this Lionel motor.
Dennis, that’s exactly what I want. Is there a website that has the drawings on it I can use until I can find the book? 2 of the engines i need to do were my fiance’s great grandpas. I really want to get at least 1 running well to put under the Christmas tree.
Take pictures and check axle bushings and gears for wear. One bad bushing will ruin the drive gear on the axle. It’s a good engine so a service manual would be a good idea.
I know Olsen’s Toy Train Parts had a website with diagrams. Have not been there in some time, but they had lots of good information. For awhile, they had some problems with the website. If it is up, go to the library section and they will guide you to the particular units you need.
Dwiemer, I looked up Olsen’s website. The diagrams they have are exactly what they needed. I took the motor apart on the Texas special, cleaned & oiled the drive gears, and it runs like a top now. Thank you so much, now when my Fiance comes over tuesday night I can show her one of her great grandpa’s trains up & running.