Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:I could not help but enter into the fun everyone has or is enjoying with the marvelous set. Before we get into how dumb I was, I need your help to avoid being really dumb, please. In my defense, my layout has 2 loops (80+ and 90+ Atlas) with a good 3 feet as the shortest between 90 degree curves on the depth and about 9 feet on the width. Pretty much Oval within and oval. Layout is about 12.5 x 15.
I will say, my friend and Lionel dealer will inspect and test run it with his 2 high tech gurus (probably millennials) prior to shipping. My thoughts are as follows to expect upon unboxing:
1) Doors and other moving parts will need to be lubricated.
2) Something to do with a worm gear having lube that has dried out or is hardening.
3) Wheels and rollers obviously will need to be lubed.
4) Am I repacking any gear boxes? Didn't look at the drive specs yet.
This is the perfect thing for me to tinker with, as I tend to enjoy these types of challenges.
Thanks for looking and more thanks if you respond.
Fully finished testing #1 last night. Not bad on what needs to be done:
1) 4 of the doors on the add on set or not operating. Flashing lights indicate fault. Motors probably on a dead spot or need of fresh lube. Will apply 9 vdc directly to motor (with wires disconnected from control board) to verify motor status. Then clean and lube all gear assemblies. Should not be too tough. Most work should be in removing the shells.
2) Dummy catenary arms not working at all. No motor noise either. When out of the box, one worked and I fiddled with the other and it started to function also. Lubed pivot points, and both now dead. I will do the motor test, and confirm suspicion that I need to swap out the catenary control board with the updated (fix) one.
I will unbox number 2 and do the inspection procedure. When I determine what parts are needed for both I will place my order with Lionel parts to take advantage of the $10.00 flat rate shipping. After that, pure enjoyment. I am looking forward to running both in opposite directions on my 2 outer loops. Video to follow.
When this is all done, I will be writing a bit of a tips and tricks page with the draft going to Choochoopaul for his experienced sage additions and notes. I think if there was a procedure available, it would help everyone who owns this "much too maligned" set. One thing for sure is: "when joining couplers the plastic IR connectors and draw bars must be aligned on top of each other". If one is off a little bit, it will drive one nuts. More to follow.
Number 2, Catanary arms perfect. All doors on Cafe don't open. 1 door on 2 cars not opening. Not bad for 15 years in a box. No rush. Fun project to do in the kitchen after dinners. Really neat to run 2 at the same time.
