AF 6-44128: Pilot truck shorting

Try flipping the wheels over.  One side is probably insulated and the other side not

Rusty

@Rusty Traque posted:

Try flipping the wheels over.  One side is probably insulated and the other side not

Rusty

Flipped the wheels and it works! Thank you Rusty.

Same think happened to mine.  I guess bouncing around between China and our homes is hard on them.

While running on my layout it happened again and was a pain to find the missing piece. So I put a very small drop of superglue where the piece that holds the axle in place goes into the truck at both ends and the problem stopped.  You may want to do the same.

I have six of the flyer Chief Berkshires and five have had this problem while running usually causing board failure. They all have been to Lionel for repair and one just came back with a retainer missing.

They should have redesigned this flimsy part on the new production but from the above posts that did not happen. I will be very happy when AMERICAN MODELS gets my new pacific's in.

They test run em before shipping and the owner answers the phone!

Gunny

American Models engines are to basic in today's train world.  I have 5 of them and like them.  I just wish Ron would upgrade his product so you could add Legacy to make it current.

The problem wasn't in the trucks being poorly designed. The real problem was the wire breaking and shorting on front and rear trucks. All the early flyerchiefs wiring were breaking due to the wire being substandard including the polar express cars.I have rewired countless engines and cars due wires breaking. 

The holders for the axle that keep falling out is a poor design.

Gunny

@Roundhouse Bill posted:

American Models engines are to basic in today's train world.  I have 5 of them and like them.  I just wish Ron would upgrade his product so you could add Legacy to make it current.

Bill,

I have no interest in command control! I would much rather have the well detailed AM units that I know will work when they arrive and are backed by excellent service.

All my flyer TMCC steamers and Diesels have either been sold or sit on the shelf. The Flyerchief Berkshires (6) were the last straw.

Gunny

Guys, This conversation is not about the Flyerchief Berks.  It is about the new Legacy Berks.

Same pilot truck therefore prone to same problem

Gunny

My NKP Berkshire has the same shorting problem. Called Lionel this morning and told Katy about the problem and she did not hesitate to give me an RA. Some times she does question me before an RA. Must be a common problem.

ns1001

Is this with the Legacy or Flyerchief engine? If Legacy read near the top if the short is as mentioned.  If so see if the small piece that holds the axle in place is gone.  If so examine the box and where you took it out of the box to see if it is there.  Wording at the top explains the fix.

Its the Legacy version and the axle is firmly in place. But thanks for the tip.

Have an RA for this model and while packing the model for return decided to apply the plastic bearing to the leading truck as others have suggested. After replacing the part use CA glue to hold it in place. Still shorts out. Think maybe the circuit board was damaged when I first applied current.