magnatraction so strong my R.I. 4-8-4 won't move

No way to turn off the magnetraction.  However, that is not your problem. These locomotives were not manufactured correctly. The motor bushings were bored with the wrong diameter along with some other problems. 

This topic has been brought up before and there are articles in O Gauge Magazine on how to fix everything.

In short, the mechanism is jammed or jams during operation which prevents running and not the magnetraction.  In proper working order, the locomotive will operate quite well. It is based upon the postwar berkshire and will operate like one when all fixed up.

Magnatraction is not an on/off feature, it's just there.

The Rock Island Northerns were notoriously poor runners.  It could be anything from a defective motor to gear alignment.

There are some here who've been able to tune up these things, I'll have to defer to their expertise.

Rusty

I am running a cw80 transformer and it starts to flash after a while is it powerful enough to run this loco 

My Rock Isl needed a bit of work. Worst was that I had to unwind the field coil one wind at a time and rewind it because the factory wound most of the wire on one side.

This bad winding caused a moaning sort of growl and very poor pulling ability. Other documented issues include bent armature shafts, the armature bearings being crooked, rear wheel rubbing against the frame, side rods out of quarter.

I replaced the motor bushings and ended up with a nice running loco.

I had one new and returned it to the dealer.  That engine would be very cool with a trip to Frank Timko to get re motored.

Some years ago, in '87 & '88, when the new Rock Island (#18001) & Lackawanna (18003) "Northern" locos were released, it was discovered the bearings in the output shaft in some of the motors were defective. My DL&W 4-8-4 was brand new; a few yrs. ago I decided to lubricate it for a test run (it looks great!); it ran OK for a few laps, slowed & stalled.

The fix is installing a motor from a postwar #736 Berkshire (part #681-100). OGR had an excellent article on this problem by Jim Barrett in his "Backshop" column a few yrs. ago. (I have a copy, but I'm unable to locate it now.) Lionel got a black eye over the problem, since the large locos & tenders were new castings & they were expected to run well. Hope this helps. (I believe Dennis Waldron, in NJ, has the replacement motors.) 

I've had 3 of those engines, none was right  out of the box, took to my friendly dealer and he replaced the motors with the 681 motor, lubed and we are off to the races.

Later I took them to a train show for show and tell. One guy with a lot of money went home with all 3 of my pullers, he was happy because he had another one at home just like them, but it wouldn't run, later on he told me he replaced the motor with an old worn out 736. He had seen what I had done, but didn't now the dealer friend did it for me.

Every one I have found since has been priced too high to fool with, but they are beautiful engines at the head of a long freight.

Rod

Out of the box the Rock 4-8-4 is a wimpy engine. Change out the motor and you'll be good to go. Even if you can get a copy of the Jim Barrett fix article you may want to have it done by your local repair guy, or somebody like Timko who's a motor expert.

thanks everyone for the replies, talked to Frank Timko today and found out replacing with a can motor may not be to costly now I have to wait to see what Fedex insurance does, they delivered it damaged, by what looks like dropping it on it nose breaking the left step and may have shaken something loose inside if they cover it ok, if not I will try to figure out the best way to go.....

thanks again 

Dave 

Just curious: who is Frank Timko & where is he located? Thanks! DK

I bought a Rock Island Northern many years ago.  Yes there were problems with the motor, so I rebuilt it using the correct motor bearings and replaced the brush plate.  The engine ran better after that, but was still a little sluggish.  One issue was gear lash and the other appeared to be drag created by the extra magnet.  I purchased a postwar 746 chassis, installed it and haven't had any problems since.  One of the better running traditional engines I have.

ftimko@sbcglobal.net

Frank Timko

Timkos Repair Depot

349 Grange Hill Road

Beavercreek OH 45430

937-429-1461

Frank has can motors that can be used to replace Lionel AC worm gear motors, like in Berkshires/Js/or Northerns. He can also do the "premium" AC motors in diesels like F3s, Budd units, etc. Email or call him and he can give you specifics for your particular locomotive. He has done 3 locos for me. he can also install boards like the ERR Cruise Commander and railsounds.