Sorry for being late replying on this topic. I had a similar experience with the AF Seaboard Coaler #752. Mine was a reproduction model, not an original. I bought it new right after they came out. It worked fine for years. We used mini M&M's candies instead of coal. The kids loved it. A few years ago I packed it away in its original foam package because I thought I was moving. I just got it out and hooked it up, and now it works, but the screeching noise is unbearable. At first it only made the noise when the bucket was coming down, but now it is all the time. I lubed every moving part that I could see without completely removing the motor and transmission. The cost of just shipping this huge item both ways, plus the repair cost is keeping me from doing anything right now. The noise seems to be coming from the large plastic gear you see when you take off the house roof. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks Ted