Lionel Veranda Turbine, screw that holds motor to truck assembly fell out

Oopsy - Unfortunately you must not have seen Marty E's short video review of the Veranda Turbine (it's still on Youtube.com I believe) as checking these screws on the underside (and tightening them if necessary) was one of the things he specifically mentioned.

Good Luck in your train travails!

@TedW posted about the same problem in this thread.  He sent his to Lionel.

Over the last 15 years or so I have learned to give all *new* engines/tenders/rolling stock etc., a little shake... and, the movable parts a little feel/wiggle before putting them on the rails.  I have no idea how many loose or gravity challenged screws I've encountered... other than many.

What is the you tube name for Marty E’s video review? I cant seem to find it.

I had the screw completely out of my front truck when I received mine. I pulled to body off and realigned it to be reattached. My biggest issues is the Switch cover is darn near impossible for me to remove. I did contact Lionel and they said it should come off, though no matter how hard I try I can not get it to budge.

trochan, are you going to send it Lionel service?

@amtrack5899 posted:

What is the you tube name for Marty E’s video review? I cant seem to find it.

For the Screw not being attached to the motor, I did that myself. Since I felt confident enough doing that, since I work with dissembling Mac Book's and other computer components for my normal job. I will probably try at least one more time for the switch cover since I typically only need it opened once to program the switch to program it, then I never really use it again. I will probably try to use some kind of prying tool to try on more time on the switch cover.

My Veranda had the screw laying in the box with the front motor truck off. The hardest part is lifting the heavy engine and turning it upside down to work on. There are 6 screws that hold the shell on. It’s tight fit and you have to move the shell slightly while pulling on the frame. Be patient and it will come out.
There are only 2 wire harnesses that you have to worry about but there is plenty of room to work. Also there was not grease in the gears so I added some for good measure. And when you reseat the motor to the truck be careful to properly seat it and turn the motor to make sure it is seated before putting in the screw.
Pics of front screw locations, middle and rear.

The switch cover was tight for mine too. Grab it on the side and pull towards the other side and up with a jerking motion. Once it came off the first time, it was easier to remove it afterwards.

I will give that a try when I try it again. Currently I don't have a place to set it on since I need to buy plywood and soundboard for my layout since I haven't worked on it since the basement had work done it it. So I have a frame but now table top

What switch cover are you referring to. Is it inside the shell or are you talking about the speaker cover? I’m probably going to open this up tomorrow . It doesn’t sound like to difficult of a repair.

Thanks Marty for the link to your you tube review of the verand turbine.  I am now a subscriber.

@tcochran posted:

I had the screw completely out of my front truck when I received mine. I pulled to body off and realigned it to be reattached. My biggest issues is the Switch cover is darn near impossible for me to remove. I did contact Lionel and they said it should come off, though no matter how hard I try I can not get it to budge.

I had a couple of engines that were painted on and you couldn't get them off.  I took the shell off and pushed them off from the inside.

@amtrack5899 posted:

What switch cover are you referring to. Is it inside the shell or are you talking about the speaker cover? I’m probably going to open this up tomorrow . It doesn’t sound like to difficult of a repair.

It should be very easy.  Remove the shell.  Align the motor with the truck and make sure it's fully seated.  Typically, you can turn the flywheel to "screw" it down into the truck.  Then you just hold the motor and truck together and run the screw in from the bottom.  While you're there, check the other truck screws and all the other screws as well!

I did think of that, but I had problems finding the seam when I had the shell off. I think I saw the back of the plate the PCB was mounted too, I may double check that to try it again. I didn't have any issues attaching the Motor back to the Truck, though I may make sure all the motor mounts are nice and tight, just to double check.

tcochran - If you're referring to the switch cover on top of the locomotive apparently it's only held on by magnets as shown at the 18:20 mark of a Youtube video by Eric Siegel ("Heavy Metal - Lionel's Incredible Veranda Turbine").  Regardless, Good Luck!

@tcochran posted:

I did think of that, but I had problems finding the seam when I had the shell off. I think I saw the back of the plate the PCB was mounted too, I may double check that to try it again. I didn't have any issues attaching the Motor back to the Truck, though I may make sure all the motor mounts are nice and tight, just to double check.

It is definitely one the more difficult hatches to get off the shell.

I was able to do the simple repair on the Veranda Turbine. Thank you everyone for your input.