Larger Lionel steam engines.

I've never seen that before.  When I first read your post I thought you were talking about the Odyssey lurch on first generation cruise control engines.  But that's no lurch, something is binding is my guess.

That model has the Pullmor open frame motor which is not very good a low speed performance. The issue is inherent of the motor design. The DC can motors have much better low speed control.  It sounds like you are wanting fine low speed control - if you are, you want something with cruise control.  The Odyssey I often also had "odyssey lurch" on initial startup but then runs smooth.  Odyssey II is amazing.  If you get an Odyssey I you can drop in an ERR board to replace the Odyssey board.  It isn't as good as Odyssey II but it is very nice and cures the Odyssey lurch.

The Lionel Niagara has a large Pittman DC motor. Only the 1990's Hudsons had Pulmores. The Niagara has a multitude of driveline issues. The uneven cadence is likely due to the cheap plastic double jointed U Joint. Very sloppy and tends to bind. The are better replacements to help this. There are other problems too but what I saw in the video was likely the U joint. Don't be put off of other large Lionel engines. This one just happens to be one of their less stellar designs.

Pete

It also looks as though one of the drivers is slightly out of quarter

A Lionel Niagara with a Pullmor and Odyssey. My, my.

First, the Pullmor is dead except in "retro" items; secondly, no Pullmor ever had cruise control (Odyssey). This loco ( I have one) is a known problem child, though, to my knowledge, most of them have been fine, in all ways. We only hear about the ones with problems. 

Mine? A problem child. Lionel: please bring it back fixed, and available in the Pilot version, too.

Thanks to all that have responded. I've always had diesels and trying to "learn" a little more about steam. As my luck would have it when I finally bought a larger steam loco it fell into the problem child category.

Thoughts on the NYC Hudson that came with the 31705 set?

Actually,  the Niagara steam engine is almost 15 years old. The technology has vastly improved.  My favorite releases have been the Northern class locomotives. 

Jeff T posted:

Thanks to all that have responded. I've always had diesels and trying to "learn" a little more about steam. As my luck would have it when I finally bought a larger steam loco it fell into the problem child category.

Thoughts on the NYC Hudson that came with the 31705 set?

Its a fine engine. Lionel's best detailed hudson. Only nit it has only two chuffs. Many folks here who can upgrade it to 4 chuffs.

Pete