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Post by Traindiesel! on May 30, 2024 5:09:41 GMT
It seems this model has the same wandering gear drive as the problematic PRR K4 Pacific, L1 Mikado and I1 Decapod, including the current Strasburg #90. I’m wondering if this is a debilitating issue and they’ll eventually become door stops or not.
I have three of the Lionel K4’s that potentially have this issue. Luckily I haven’t operated them much yet and thinking about getting preventative maintenance done before they can fail.
I hope the #40 will be fine but with the reported issues it’s too expensive to gamble on it for me.
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Post by runamuckchuck on May 30, 2024 12:46:04 GMT
It seems this model has the same wandering gear drive as the problematic PRR K4 Pacific, L1 Mikado and I1 Decapod, including the current Strasburg #90. I’m wondering if this is a debilitating issue and they’ll eventually become door stops or not.
I have three of the Lionel K4’s that potentially have this issue. Luckily I haven’t operated them much yet and thinking about getting preventative maintenance done before they can fail.
I hope the #40 will be fine but with the reported issues it’s too expensive to gamble on it for me. With extended warranties on everything from homes and autos to toasters, someone should come up with extended warranties for model train engines! 
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Post by trainman9 on May 30, 2024 14:45:25 GMT
I’ve heard a number of postings concerning gear issues on several Lionel steamers mentioned here. One not mentioned was the Legacy H10 produced a few years ago. There was an individual that was offering a repair with a cost of $200 per engine. The repair consisted of putting a metal shim in the gear box and fastening it with a screw. While this method apparently works it seems rather crude to me plus the cost for shipping both ways not to mention the cost of insurance was a little prohibitive.
I did find an individual that produced some shims that could be used instead by taking off one of the drive wheel sets pushing the shaft out and inserting the shim and then reassembling everything. I have not be able to find anyone to install the shims. In speaking with a Lionel service center person at York in April he was not interested citing the potential of cracking the frame in the process. He also pointed out that if the gears are properly pressed onto the shaft there is no need for a shim. I’ve got two of the H10’s and so far I’ve not had any issues.
I’m still going to try to find someone to install my shims in spite of the fact that I have two replacement frames.
Here is what the shims look like installed.
 
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Post by david1 on May 30, 2024 21:34:39 GMT
A buddy of mine bought the #90 and it has stopped running because of the gear jamming. He sent it back to Lionel for a refund. They gave him a choice, to fix it or refund. He picked the refund!! He has now sworn off any Lionel steam engine.
According to him they have known about this problem and have done nothing to correct it.
Dave
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Post by runamuckchuck on May 30, 2024 22:36:23 GMT
A buddy of mine bought the #90 and it has stopped running because of the gear jamming. He sent it back to Lionel for a refund. They gave him a choice, to fix it or refund. He picked the refund!! He has now sworn off any Lionel steam engine. According to him they have known about this problem and have done nothing to correct it. Dave My inclination was to show support for Dave's post by showing a thumbs up. While I appreciate the information Dave conveys a  is more appropriate response to be what seems to be the issue with some of Lionel's products currently. Too, too bad for the health of the hobby IMO.
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is more appropriate response to be what seems to be the issue with some of Lionel's products currently.