Chuck,
Wow what a disappointment they used such crap parts.
Got a Lionel Part number? When I look up the The LC ET44AC doesn't show any parts list from what I found. Looks similar to the Thomas Tank motor.
Pic of the gearing on the motor?
Jim
@feet posted:Lionel can't go on like this. Sooner or later this will come back to haunt them.
It's already haunting us.
Wish I had something similar to give him.
Chuck this is awful, and it makes me hopping mad!! No flywheels? The worms are probably pressed onto the motor shafts, so upgrading the motors to something better would be a big job. Exact replacement motors could be fitted if the parts are available. But they would probably burn out just as quickly. Lionel should be ashamed of itself for selling such an under-engineered and under-spec'd loco! It's a marketing failure too, because if someone's first experience is frustration and disappointment, there won't be a second purchase! 
I feel so badly for the young boy... I'm willing to personally wire you a cash contribution to buy him something better, with real, built-in quality they way they USED to be made! Maybe you can find out what his favorite railroad is, what radius of curve, which transformer, etc. Life is too short to drink bad wine. And thou shalt not suffer a witch to live!
Appears to be the loco from this set:
http://www.lionel.com/products...onchief-set-6-84732/
Edit: I just noticed the locomotive "features": Two powerful maintenance-free motors 
I looked through my stash of about 70 motors. These are the closest I see - probably not it as worm pitch looks wrong. I got close as I could on the caliper to read - not exact. I don't have any part numbers listed on these motors.
Jim
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Once MTH turns out the lights Lionel's bean counters will go crazy reducing expenses.
This is what people have to look forward to once MTH goes out junk! Way to go Lionel!
I sure feel bad for the youngster. This is one of the reasons I have quit buying anything with a motor. After parts fell out of the box of a brand new lion master big boy, I knew I was done with Lionel and MTH both. I'm on to scenery and rolling stock and am a much happier guy for that.
Wow, a slot car motor. 
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@Ted S posted:............................I feel so badly for the young boy... I'm willing to personally wire you a cash contribution to buy him something better, with real, built-in quality they way they USED to be made! Maybe you can find out what his favorite railroad is, what radius of curve, which transformer, etc. Life is too short to drink bad wine. And thou shalt not suffer a witch to live!
While that's a noble and generous gesture, think through how that plays out in the end. We all chip in a few bucks for this case, then this happens again (and again). Word gets out from that one family that Chuck went above and beyond to get the kid a new set.
Eventually there will be multiple customers looking for the same resolution, and so how many replacement sets are going to be funded this way? Any that are not would be looked at as a "this other customer got resolution, but then I didn't" scenario. IMO that would bring a new dynamic to the situation that could unfairly reflect negatively on Chuck and his shop.
-Dave
I don't recall seeing whether or not Chuck's shop sold the set originally. If the set didn't come from his shop, extra kudos to him for trying to help.
I agree with the post above saying that having people chip in is a fine gesture but a slippery slope. Also appalled at the low quality of the motor.
Some ideas: 1) Help the mother to write a letter to Lionel about the situation. Any company that cares about their customers (especially new ones) should be willing to take action even though it's just outside of the warranty period. It would be really disappointing if Lionel won't help out. 2) Find a reliable used PW or MPC engine, and give it to the mother or sell it at cost.
Hopefully, this is an opportunity to build a future hobbyist.
Another thought - if Chuck is a member of LCCA, try contacting them for advice, since they have become very intertwined with Lionel. Maybe they have some suggestions, or can contact someone at Lionel on the customer's behalf.
A MPC engine won't work. Lionchief has a constant 18 volts on the track. A variable transformer is needed.
Chuck,
Look at motor # 6SP-8060-103 , it may work.
WOW! you guys are the greatest!! Thanks for caring so much. This world need more guys like you! Don't know what to do yet, will figure it out.
@Lionel Parts posted:Chuck,
Look at motor # 6SP-8060-103 , it may work.
The motor may fit but the issue is the gear. Getting the gears off the old motors is bad enough, in this case since the motors are already toast it doesn't matter if they get destroyed. Its mounting that gear on a replacement without damaging it thats the hard part. You can find that motor no problem its the gear that makes it unique.
BTW that isn't the only engine with that tiny motor. The starter set 0-8-0s and Docksiders have a similar motor and I believe some on the Lionchief versions had that same small motor carried over.
Pete
@Mallard4468 posted:I don't recall seeing whether or not Chuck's shop sold the set originally. If the set didn't come from his shop, extra kudos to him for trying to help.
I agree with the post above saying that having people chip in is a fine gesture but a slippery slope. Also appalled at the low quality of the motor.
Some ideas: 1) Help the mother to write a letter to Lionel about the situation. Any company that cares about their customers (especially new ones) should be willing to take action even though it's just outside of the warranty period. It would be really disappointing if Lionel won't help out. 2) Find a reliable used PW or MPC engine, and give it to the mother or sell it at cost.
Hopefully, this is an opportunity to build a future hobbyist.
FWIW, I agree with the above statements.
Once had an inexpensive HO Pacific, and the motor looked to be very similar to what's been shown here. In HO, it's "okay", but O...? 
In any case, I hope it works out.
Mark in Oregon
