I am having a problem with an engine I just recently purchased. I purchased a Pennsylvania Berkshire 2-8-4 with railsounds. This engine was offered by Lionel in 2005 and is currently NOT available through them. I found this one in a hobby shop, BRAND NEW in the box. The problem? It wont pull a train!! By itself, it runs great! With eight O-27 MTH passenger cars behind it, it can hardly move them. With 3-4 cars, its so so. I stopped by a hobbyshop locally and told them about it and they told me that that is typical of a NEWER Lionel engine. NO pulling power!
Anyone out there have the same problem? Any cures? My first Lionel train and I am disappointed! Doesnt look like I will by another Lionel product if this is how they are made!
Is there a lot of empty space inside? If there is, you could try filling it with lead, or some other heavy metal. That should fix your problem, unless it’s an under-powered motor instead of a lack of traction.
Another idea is you could turn one of the wheels while grinding a groove into it for a traction tire.
This most certainly is NOT typical of newer Lionel engines-even a postwar steam engine with slick nickel-rimmed drivers should be able to pull the load you’ve describe.
Most of the newer O gauge engines, from Lionel or anyone else, have rubber “traction tires” around one or more of the wheels. The traction tires, when combined with the die-cast zinc shell, usually make even the inexpensive engines excellent pullers.
Although it would be unusual for a new engine, it’s possible that your traction tires have slipped off or broken. Look at the wheels, and see if you see black bands around one or two of them. If one of the wheels has a deep groove, you’ve found your problem.
If there is a tire missing, you’ll need to replace it before you get any sort of satisfactory performance. There should be replacements packed in the locomotive box, in the same bag along with the spare light bulbs and vial of smoke fluid. The manual will tell you how to install it.
By the way, ALL new Lionel engines come with replacement traction tires. If you don’t have any, take the engine back to the shop for a refund, because it’s most certainly not new in box as was claimed.
Your #28656 PRR “Baby Berkshire” should have two traction tires, one on each of the rear drivers.
The same drive system is used on the popular Polar Express Berk, which came in a set with three 12" passenger cars. Four additional passenger cars are offered separately; there have been some comments that the Berk has some difficulty pulling all seven. These cars are relatively light weight since they don’t include detailed interiors. In addition, they use needle-axles running in Delrin plastic bearings. As a result, they are relatively easy to pull.
Most MTH passenger cars contain detailed interiors and are relatively heavy. Check the axles to see if they are supported by brass plain bearings. Apparently MTH uses these bearings with some of their heavier passenger cars to improve bearing life. The downside is that there is considerably more friction. Use some lightweight oil on each of these bearing to see if that helps them run more freely.
ModelTrainer, Ben and Chris have it right. Sounds to me like the dealer you bought it from is just down on Lionel maybe due to some bad experiences. Or maybe he’s an MTH fan. But I know dealers who are down on MTH because they have to send so much back for repairs.
Another possibility is the Mabuchi motor Lionel uses in many of these locos. K-Line and RMT also use these motors. They’re fine motors for what they are, but they always don’t operate the same, even on diesels with dual motors in each truck.
While I have had no trouble with my Lionel steamers… even my cheaper plastic bodied ones, the MTH cars in general are much heavier that many Lionel cars. Which isn’t a bad thing, but it depends on what your preference is.
Also I have heard the complaint from even MTH buyers - and I’ve noticed it too - that the MTH trucks have poorer rollability than other trucks. On my MTH cars, I can clearly see MTH paints the trucks black instead of blackening the metal as other companies. The paint could certainly factor in to the free rolling movement of the wheel points inside the truck.
I have this same engine in C&O livery and it can pull all 7 of my MTH Streamlined Passenger cars with detailed interiors. So there is something else wrong with your engine. Check the traction tires, and check the pickup rollers to make sure they aren’t ‘lifting’ the engine off the track. Your LHS doesn’t know what they are talking about and I for one would recommend that you never go back there again… I’ve have engines from Lionel, MTH, and Williams and haven’t had a problem with any of them pulling nice long trains on flat track, pulling a grade is another story but certainly pulling 7 passenger cars on a flat track shouldn’t be a problem… Oh almost forgot, I put a LITTLE bit of oil on the trucks where the axles insert into the trucks. This gives a little bit of reduced friction and seems to help the cars roll smoother and quieter.
I have the 28656 PRR Baby Berk and have not had any problem with it pulling mixed 8-10 post war/modern car consists. Make sure you check the traction tires.
I have the (go figure) Southern Berkshire. I bought it at Charles Ro about a month ago, and I am impressed with it. I have 4 Lionel Southern Cresent MPC passenger cars and 4 Williams Semi-Scale Madison cars in the Chessie System Paint, and the big gal was able to haul it all.
As a test, I even placed my 681 S-2 Turbine on a flat car at then end of a 6 car freight, and again, the Baby Berk pulled it all, smoke and bell going strong.
It can’t go around my layout like that, as there is an overpass that limits the height of rolling stock on my layout.
I would concur with the suggestion to check/replace traction tires.
Ok everybody! I just fixed the problem with my Berkshire 2-8-4. I went to the Lionel site and ordered some parts. The “E” unit board and a new motor. Installed them tonight and gave the engine a test run. Yup it works much better! Upon closer look, I noticed the “E” unit board that was in the engine originally was a bit different. There was something (not sure what to call it), that looked broken or cracked. I think the original motor was ok, but I put a new one in anyway. Now the engine can pull the 8 MTH O-27 passenger cars with interiors. I have to admit though, it doesnt pull them like my MTH steamers do.