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I have a Lionel 221 Steamer that works fine when connected directly to a power source, but exhibits erratic behavior when actually run on track.  On the track it tends to run backwards and forwards for a brief time before coming to a stop.  Also, out of the shell the e-unit cycles correctly and the motor turns properly when the motor unit is held so that either the rear wheels and rear collector shoe are touching the track.  (The 221 does not have pickup rollers, it has 2 collector shoes.) The same is true when the same is done with the front wheels and front collector shoe.  So the issue appears to be neither the e-unit nor the motor.  It is not the track nor the transformer; the motor unit behaves in the same way on different track loops and with different transformers and other engines are not affected.  Anyone out there know what is wrong with this engine?

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Sort of sounds like a pickup issue if it behaves when you apply downward pressure.  Are the pickup shoes in good shape or are they worn badly?  I assume the pickups, track and wheels are clean?  I believe it’s possible for the pickup shoes to be jammed in beyond their retainer slots in the spring that holds them in place.  Are they bound up due to something like that where they can’t make contact with the rail without you tipping it on end?  A good side Or end view while sitting on the tracks will probably be required to see this.

Last edited by SantaFe158

It really doesn’t sound like a short so much as it sounds like the pickups simply aren’t touching the rails.  If it was a short you’d likely be tripping your circuit breaker on the transformer which I don’t recall seeing as a symptom.  I’d give the pickups a good look while it’s on a section of track and ensure they’re even touching the rail before you dig into more involved troubleshooting.  What Chuck mentioned will probably be your best solution.

Well gentlemen, you replies gave me somethings to think about - I a took a pair of needle nose pliers and bent both pickup shoes outward slightly and the motor unit now functions properly.  The 221 now goes through the forward/neutral/reverse sequence correctly and runs without intermittent stops and reverses. Hopefully it does the same when the shell is put back on.  For those that asked the engine did not operate properly with or without the shell and it was being run exclusively on tubular track.  Thanks very much to all who replied.

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