Lionmaster Challenger driver lock up

First thing, check your eccentric cranks. Those can loosen, swing out and yes that can be direction oriented (work in one direction, bind in the other).

Note the pivot point of the eccentric rod end is near the middle of the wheel

Edited picture

Check the recess in the bottom of the gearbox of the front drivers for a missing motor mount screw.

A somewhat common issue with these. The Screw either loosens or comes out all together.

When this happens. In one direction the motor pushes itself upward out of the gearbox and could be causing the lockup.

In the other direction the motor draws itself into the gearbox where it belongs and runs smoothly.

OK, it is the eccentric crank(s). Now I just have to get them adjusted. Is there a good process to follow?

JP Thut

@JPThut posted:

OK, it is the eccentric crank(s). Now I just have to get them adjusted. Is there a good process to follow?

JP Thut

Yes

#1 remove the screw entirely, pull out the end of the eccentric crank and examine it for damage from being run loose. Specifically you are looking at the interface into the wheel which is what clocks it (clocking- like hands on a clock)- the angle or position compared to the wheel. Most types have 2 little protrusions that then fit into matching holes or pockets in the wheel to prevent rotation and align to a very specific position (again, pivot point near the center of the wheel). If run loose, that will get sheared off or damaged and thus no longer reliably hold in the correct position.

but the end we really worry about is the tips or another style

If those are damaged or sheared off/ rounded off, then replacement is the best long term option to prevent further damage.

Parts list for your engine. https://www.lionelsupport.com/...LOCO-ONLY-6308014001

You have 2 left hand and 2 right hand ones, for the front and back cylinders

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...Y-RH-LM-CHALLENGER_2

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...Y-LH-LM-CHALLENGER_2

#2 if the parts are OK or you get replacements, then you simply insert them and line them up, then I typically put a drop of thread locking compound on the screw before threading it in and locking in place.

#3 Last lubricate all this moving assembly as the worse thing now is brand new parts with no lube shearing it off again from binding and grabbing.

Again, what happens if these are ever run with the screw even slightly loose, the rotation of the wheel tends to beat the little tabs into total destruction allowing the eccentric crank to pivot back and forth, each time more and more while it loosens the screw. This eventually jams the wheels and can result in major damage- not to mention motor burnout if someone keeps trying to move a binding engine. It's a self destructing failure where simple looseness starts it off, but running loose then cascades into total destruction rapidly in a very short time.

Put another way, this is sort of the beginning of the fall train season. It's a reminder to check these eccentrics for looseness when pulling that engine out of storage or off the shelf before running.

I guarantee, this is not even remotely the first example of the season, and we are sure to see many more posts about this.

Happens every year. Key is, don't let it happen to you.

Gentlemen, the problem was one of those "deceptively simple" ones. I finally noticed that the spacer was on top of the engineer's side siderod instead of the other way around. The siderod was binding on the middle driver nut!

Thanks for your excellent advise!

JPThut

Don't ya just love a simple fix? 😁👍

Mark in (wet and windy) Oregon

@JPThut - Once upon a time I read (on this Forum) a recommendation from someone to take a photo of a wheel set before removing any screws to replace traction tires, etc. etc.  Ever since then I've always snapped a pic with my phone first, and ensured the same wheel arrangement when I'm finished, and I've never had a problem.  Needless to say, it was sound advice!

Yep, a simple fix is definitely the best and, even better, it was a friend's engine and now he thinks I'm a magician!!

JPThut

A tip from your uncle Irv, …..if you find yourself in this predicament again, bring the driver with the eccentric to the six o’clock position ( crank pin or bolt hole straight down ) clock the eccentric so the arm of the eccentric assembly follows the main rod on parallel,…..see pic …

Pat