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I have a lionel mod 2055. It has been sitting in a box for at 60 years. Recently decided to set it up for my grandson. When I put it on the track in will go forward and reverse but the was a lot of noise like gears grinding. After carefully looking for the problem I noticed the gear on the armature was badly damaged. I have a lionel mod 2055. It has been sitting in a box for at 60 years. Recently decided to set it up for my grandson. When I put it on the track in will go forward and reverse but the was a lot of noise like gears grinding. After carefully looking for the problem I noticed that the gear's teeth were badly wore down. I have included a picture. I hope that someone has a solution. First I need to know if I can purchase a gear and from where, and second what is the best way to remove the old gear without damaging the armature. In industry we would simply cut it off. If you have a suggestion I hope to hear from someone chas.peebles@outlook.com.  can't get attachment to load. Be glad to email picture if needed.

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I have a 2065 with the same problem.  I purchased the "correct" pinion per the Greenberg Lionel book, but the teeth were far too course to mesh with the idler gear.  I ended up picking up a used motor from ebay (complete with drive wheels) which finally solved the problem.

I have not yet tried it, but I think a pinion puller for RC cars would be very useful in pulling the pinion (that was what I was going to do before discovering I had the wrong, new pinion).

 

In looking at the service manual there may be room for confusion on this pinion. The early 675 with the 675-40 armature uses the 1668E-43 pinion.  In about 1950 Lionel changes their gear designs from the 12.5 degree pressure angle to the 20 degree pressure angle. The 675-50 armature should have a later pinion, the 2035-132 or the 2035-186.  All these pinions should had an outside diameter of 0.292", the number of teeth is 12, and a diametral pitch of 48.  The only significant difference is the pressure angle on the earlier design and a built in flange of the latest design. 

A couple of quick questions about this loco:

(1) For the benefit of the original poster... can the whole armature be removed without pulling wheels?  If so, this would be much easier than a new chassis OR replacing the pinion gear on the existing armature shaft.

(2) @David Johnston very interesting!  Which pressure angle would you say is "better?"  I.e. which will give the best slow-speed performance, transmit the most torque, etc.?  Why do you suppose Lionel changed it??

Last edited by Ted S

I believe the wheels have to be pulled to remove the armature; also try to lubricate the armature shaft at the brush plate; if the noise reduces with the lube, the brush plate armature hole may be  worn and cause the grinding noise; the lube only helps for awhile; a new brushplate eliminates the racket.  The pinion gear can cause noise if the crowns are extremely worn; but not very common.  Falcon70

 

The change from the 14.5 degree pressure angle to the 20 degree pressure occurred industry wide in the middle of the 20th century. The 20 degree pressure angle gears have a stronger tooth, but are noisier.  The important thing is that mixing gears with the two different pressure angles probably will not work well.  Today if you order a gear, it should be supplied with the 20 degree pressure angle unless something else is specified. 

A model train, slot car or RC car gear/wheel puller would be able to remove the pinion.  The trick is to re-install- NOT by using a sledge hammer (I tried that as a kid) - but to reinstall the pinion straight w/o bending the armature shaft.  Try a C-Clamp.  You can even drill holes (one the OD of the pinion and one the size of the shaft at the non-pinion end) to help. 

 

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  • Pinion Gear installation: These and more sophisticated ones are available online.
Last edited by Mike Wyatt

INSTCHUCK , just checked mine to make sure but unfortunately the armature does not have the room to come out by itself unlike some other older Lionels.

Did replace the gear on a prewar electric as armature easily came out without removing wheels, cut off the gear on the end carefully with a dremel in several spots and pried it gently right off and used a small socket to gently hammer new one on and works as it should.

One has to be careful though because the shaft running through armature could move and thats not good i was lucky it stayed in place when i put new gear on.

Thank you for your reply. Great information. I was able to remove the armature. I was able to remove one back wheel opposite the gear side and removal was complete. That's as far as I have gone with. I have another answer member that sent me a picture of the device to remove gear. My local Hobby shop is pretty sure they have the necessary tools for removal and reinstall the wheel. Time will now. 

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