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I recently purchased a beautiful Lionel UP F3 ABA set #6-24552 on ebay. It ran for 15 minutes, then slowed down and finally stopped. After a few minutes rest it ran again for 10 min and then slowed down and stopped. The rear motor appeared to be struggling to turn while the front motor would not turn at all. The front motor is hotter than the rear. This all while in conventional mode using my trusty 275 watt ZW. No TMCC. The seller suggested I try running it in TMCC mode, so I hooked up my older CAB-1 command base and powermaster, but while the engine could be programmed, it would not move after that. Yes, all the switches on the powermaster and engine were in the correct positions. This engine does have Odyssey, but I don't have a clue about that. It will run using just the CAB-1 and powermaster in conventional mode, but again stops after 10 - 15 minutes. I took it to a local repair man who took it to his friend at a Lionel Service Station. Neither person could get the engine to even move on a layout (loop)  in conventional or TMCC. It would however run on a test track (open ended). They called Lionel who was unable to offer any help and wanted the engine sent to them. I have at least a dozen other engines Lionel, MTH, K-Line, Williams) that run without any problem. I have a simple 50 foot loop of Fastrack around the outside wall of my basement. No switches. Is there something special about this set or the Odyssey boards in this engine that prevent it from running in conventional mode or using a CAB-1 and powermaster (original version) ?

Any help is appreciated. 

Scott 

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The seller did offer to pay for repairs, but since 2 repairmen were unable to figure it out, I had to decide whether to keep it it or return it. I paid a little more than half the going price on ebay, so I'd like to keep it. I'm considering sending it to Lionel. Who knows what that could cost though. Maybe I should drive out or ship it out your way at Hennings since I'm in York, Pa and see what you can do. 

Lionel is not taking non-warranty repairs, and they won't be taking any repairs for two months.

If you got it for a good price, see if you can extract a little more from the seller and then go about fixing it.

I have no doubts we can fix it, it doesn't sound like anything super expensive could really be wrong.  If the trucks and motors aren't binding through a full rotation of the drive wheels, I see the motor is available, and I'm pretty sure I have all the electronics in stock for those.

I have 3 of these UP engines in my box of spare parts. The motor internally binds, it has excessive play due to bad bushings... the motor with the correct worm diameter is the issue. They are no longer available from Lionel.  And to pull the worm off and place on a new motor I do not have the tools to do so.

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
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