LIONEL POST WAR; THE TEXAS SPECIAL BLUES😭
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- The engine alone runs fast, but with a load of a B unit non powered and three passenger cars, it slows down considerably. Also requires 5+ minutes of warm up time to get moving.
I ve got some 50s single motor engines that pull pretty well. If the motor is hot to the touch. It might be in the armature. I had one I could wiggle the winding. I replaced the armature and it worked fine. Ken
Thanks Ken for the information. I did end up ordering a replacement motor. Hope it takes care of the issues. 👍
Assuming you cleaned, greased and oiled the gears in the power truck. One other issue I had were the two studs/bolts that hold the motor pieces together loosened up. That caused the motor to run slow.
Checked those also and they were good. I did notice the motor when hand spinning it was binding some. Not a nice clean spin. I ordered a motor off of eBay and I am going to replace the one in my engine. I believe my motor had the issue. My gears were clean and free moving but when the motor was screwed in place the wheels and gears did not move like they should. They weren’t easy to move then.
Sorry to hear the Texas Special is still giving you some issues. Nice running session.
Thanks Frank🙏🙏❤️👍
Early horizontal motors have two spur gears on end of motor casting. One is fixed to armature. The second is on a shaft with a oilite bearing it spins in. With age/use this bearing wears and then fails to maintain the gear in position for proper mesh with top gear and the larger spur gear in the truck. Thus the load to run goes up and engine is slow till lube reduces this added friction. Newer F3’s have a solid fixed pin the gear spins on. A better design that Lionel started widely using. Also the two block oilite bearings in the truck for the worm gear/spur gear shaft are a sloppy fit in truck causing frictional issues. I suggest shimming these block bearings for limited end play and side slop. Worm gears need to be rigidly positioned for proper mesh. Tests have proven the most amount of power consumed is this gear train. So limiting friction in it is essential for proper performance. Wear is your major issue. You can make things acceptable and come close to new performance. Be also aware of replacement high resistance motor brushes. I have replace the motor idler oilite bearing with a pair of miniature ball bearings. Another fix would be to install a fixed pin and size the gear for spinning fit on the pin as in the newer F3’s.
WOW! I never realized how many issues and repair fixes there are for the post war Lionel f3’s Thank You for the information. Very Appreciated! 🙏🙏👍
The post war horizontal motored F3’s are in a first class category all by themselves. They are a mechanical marvel for then as well as today. Don’t fret with F3’s being so popular there are plenty of parts available to keep them running for generations. A very robust made engine. Exploring suggestions here and getting more familiar with internal working you will solve issue. Personally not owning a single motor F3 only double motor versions & knowing the pulling power they possess a single motor should still be exceptional puller.😊
@ Thank You Very Much for the encouragement and support. I really appreciate it. I sure hope the replacement motor does the trick. I actually like the engine a lot in spite of its age and issues. It has character and history. Very nostalgic. 👍👍🙏❤️
Such a beautiful locomotive. They can be frustrating at times. You mentioned that you cleaned the motor and lubricated it, but did you inspect the commutator brushes to make sure they’re not too worn down, and also check the spring tension on the brushes to make sure they are even and provide enough pressure on the commutator brushes? That is a common problem with older Postwar locomotives that their commutator brushes are worn down, and the springs pushing down on the brushes are either uneven, or not enough pressure. Something to look into before you go and buy another 2 motor chassis. They’re not expensive, and not difficult to change at all. Tom
Thank You for all the suggestions. 👍🙏🙏❤️
I get it running, but it takes a warm up period and then have to run it higher on the transformer. 👍🙏
I want to get my son Hudson (11) a set of the postwar NYC f3s sometime. They are a little too much at moment with other things that we’ve been doing but I watch them on eBay.
When I tell him that a kid in 1954 etc got this for Xmas and that’s your grandfathers age . I think his mind will be blown. Because he only owns Williams and Kato in n scale. He’s never owned an antique.
Totally agree. I love the idea of owning a train that a child actually played with back in the 1940’s and 1950’s. I can see in my mind the child getting up on Christmas Morning and racing to the tree and finding the awesome brand new train set. ❤️❤️👍👍
I think something is up with it. I've got single motor MPC stuff that will fly off 0-72 curves. I'm gonna go run my only postwar loco (2037 steamer) and see what it does.
Both my steamers do great. They are both Post War Lionel. This The Texas Special is a Dog.
Same. I have a single A/C motor MPC era Geep and it pulls like crazy right out the gate. There must be resistance in the motor somewhere. The bering, the brushes, or the grease. Id confirm all the wiring has solid connections too.
@@PhilBender612 I did all. I need a replacement horizontal motor. I just confirmed it. Wonder if I can find a used good one.
@ I go to a lot of shows. If your in the north east, theres a Greenberg show in Delaware this weekend. Allentown is coming up as well.
@ I can get a used one on eBay for 45.00 plus shipping. Wonder if that’s a good deal?
Two motors will improve it tremendously or another single engine F3. It sure is a great looking locomotive, I'm a big fan of the F units.
I thought about another F3.👍
Your Z1000 is a starter set transformer and not a lot of wattage for that loco. The post war motors use more amperage to get them moving. I suggest a larger transformer like a ZW or a KW.
I really appreciate the suggestions and information. 🙏 Thank You.👍
Hope you can find a remedy for your Texas Special Woes!
Thanks. I guess I will accept it like it is. I don’t want to invest more money in it.👍
@RABSTRAINS I'm having money troubles too that affect my train spending. I just spent a lot of money on a new computer so that I can play the newest computer games for a few more years and now I can focus back on the trains
Something is definitely not right. That engine should be a pulling beast. Buy the sound of things it's likely a motor issue. Check the brushes and clean out the slots between the comutators on the armature. It sounds like it could be a motor ground issue. Sometimes, the motor halves can separate. Run it without the shell and see if you can detect arching where arching shouldn't be. Look between the bolt sections between the metal halves that are used to hold the brush plate on. I have ran a ground jumper wire from the frame directly to the motor housing and between the motor sections that sometimes helps if the motor sections aren't pressed together firmly. Sometimes, those bolt stubs can loosen over time, reeking havoc with grounding.
@@DRCRailroard I figured it out. The motor is shot. I need to replace it. I can get a used one off of eBay for 45.00 plus tax. Wonder if that’s a fair price. I just hate putting money into the engine.
That's not a bad price if it's a good motor and an exact match. I, myself, wouldn't hesitate to repair it. Check with Hennings or Trainz, especially with Jeff at the Train Tender in NYC. He will still take checks and is very knowledgeable with pre and postwar parts.
@ 🙏 Thank You. I ended up finding one on eBay and ordered it. We will see once I receive it and get it installed. 🙏🙏
I would be interested to know how many volts you are actually applying and what current it is pulling. That might give us a clue about whats going on.
Absolutely. I removed the old motor and I am going to replace it. It actually I feel was the issue and needed replaced. It just didn’t sound right when starting her up. I should receive the replacement motor in a few days and will do a video once I get it installed. I did all the usual things with removing the old grease, checking all solder joints, checking the brushes and degreasing and placing new grease. I did notice the motor would not spin without a slight binding/obstruction when turned by hand. I think the motor shaft was maybe slightly bent. All the gears worked great with the motor removed. We will see once I get the replacement motor installed.🙏🙏
What if the new transformer isn’t either powerful enough for the Texas special
Or isn’t working correctly?
I have z4000s and I had a zw a 50s one.
Is there a way to get a friend to test a different power zw or z4000 that loco somewhere or at a club
Great Question. I have two other Post War Lionel Engines and they do great with the transformers that I have. I don’t have anyone I know who could test the engine. I believe the actual motor is too old and worn out and needs replaced. I found one on eBay and ordered it. So I will see soon after it arrives and I get it installed. 🙏🙏🙏