Pat and Rod,
I will call Katie in Lionel Parts and see if I can purchase a new Universal Shaft that has not had the pins rounded. I will also let her know that several people have had to lengthen the part by 1/8 to 3/16 inch. I don't know if Lionel lengthened the shaft in the new 4-8-4 engines. There is no reason to perpetuate the problem.
Thank you.
Sincerely, John Rowlen