ADCX Rob posted:RaritanRiverRailroadFan4 posted:Maintaining postwar engines has always been troublesome for me. I've made several posts asking what the right way is but I still can't seem to get it right. I have a 611 NW-2 that makes a horrible grinding noise as it putters along. ..
This is a different problem -
The problem is the lower bearing plate is floating in the stamped aluminum motor side frames as the factory staking has worked loose over the years. The old Lionel fix for this was to "dent" the side frames with a punch, some shops used cardstock jammed in to firm up the plate.
I have had good luck using tiny black anodized self-tapping screws into drilled pilot holes to hold the bearing in place.
For a satisfactory non-destructive fix, use CRC QD or any non-residue contact cleaner, clean ALL oil & residue from between the sideframes & the bearing, using the nozzle to spray into the crevice. Dry it out well, several hours or overnight.
Now use the regular "thin"(not gel) CA adhesive("Super Glue", Eastman 910, etc.) and flow the cement into the crevice on both sides, letting it creep in by capillary action to fill the gap.
In about 10 minutes, the loco is ready to be lubed(grease on gears, oil on pivots & bearings/axles), will run like new, and the repair is next to invisible.
Rob,
Would you mind posting a pic of the lower bearing plate as I'm having the same issue with my PW NW2. I've cleaned her up pretty well but haven't completely removed the engine just yet. I'm new at this as well and don't want to damage my first locomotive but would love to restore my 602 Seaboard to near mint condition. The problem I'm having here is with the terminology... 
