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On our Christmas layout we were running the lionchief Polar Express set that stopped running. The motor would spin but the engine would not move.

This is what I found.
The motor was only being held in with one screw not two. This caused the motor to move which wore out the worm gear on the motor shaft. There NEVER was a second screw installed for the motor mounting as the hole for it was filled in with grease.

Before the failure the engine was running fine there was no warning that there was a problem. This is a big disappointment for us. We have a very large number of children come through at this time of year during their holiday break. Happening this close to Christmas we are unable to get a replacement motor until next Tuesday.

This may be something that only we experienced BUT
You may want to pull the bottom plate off your engine to make sure both motor mounting screws are there. This is a simple check and will save you the problem we now have.

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Looks like this may end up being a common problem.  I've been running my LionChief PE for its third season.  The kids and I were playing on the lay out when the Loco started seizing up.  It was making a horrid sound as it desperately needed grease.  Upon taking apart I discovered one of the screws for the motor stuck to the screw mechanism.  Luckily, no damage was done.  I cleaned up the threads, added a little locktite and re-installed.  Good as new!  Adding this as an inspection point when greasing from now on.IMG_20170101_190157IMG_20170101_190205IMG_20170101_190209

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I don't think Lionel is trying to save money by only using 1 screw, I think it's just the typical quality control we are forced to live with.

Thanks to the OP for posting this.  I have a few engines that may fall into this even though they are not LionChief.

One question, can older PE units accept the new motor?  I am thinking if Lionel thought to use a more expensive part in the newer ones, I should upgrade while parts are available if I can...  I also have a PRR Horseshoe curve set with the Berkshire.

Tony

I think the Lioncheif series as a whole is good. However, the way it is being executed is not. These starter sets are supposed to get get people interested in our hobby, and it is doing the opposite.

I know some were going to order this set from amazon, and because of the horrible reviews, they chose not to. Poses the question about the higher end lioncheif's quality as well.

Joe Gozzo

These threads on here about quality lately seriously kept me from buying any new motive power this holiday season.  

I ended up buying a Lionel Polar Express tender shell on the web, it fits perfectly on my postwar tender (screw holes are exactly the same) which is pulled by a restored nearly 70 year old 671 turbine that runs flawlessly and is easy to fix.  I also bought some used Polar Express cars for cheap.  It looks awesome and nobody knows the difference.  I don't need any headaches running modern junk.

Sean007 posted:

Amazon reviews show an almost 50/50 split on good and bad for the Polar Express Lionchief set.

Some of the reviews are downright hostile towards Lionel.

Sean

I hear what you are saying. However, it is difficult when we as hobbyists try to promote Lionel, and other manufacturers as well as hobby in general. I would think most of these buyers on amazon either are new to the hobby or remember a set that was in their household long ago.

Either way, seeing 50% of the reviews on the negative side is not helping and leaving a question mark. I have been a Lionel fan for 60 years, and have prewar, postwar, and new production. All I am saying as these reviews and other issues that have been posted on this forum are concerning, as perception is reality.

Joe Gozzo

Last edited by Trainlover160

You made me look; opened mine up too. Two screws, check. Modest amount of grease, check. Gears are in great shape and the motor is tight. Packed it well with Red-n-Tacky grease, oiled the axles and put it up. Ready for next year.

The locomotive sees exclusive use on our club's modular layout. Handing off the remote to the children to run it a major plus. It routinely pulls 10 cars for 2-4 hours at a stretch. This is it's third season on the layout w/o failure. My Gen1 version was getting repaired/rebuilt at least once a year.

The only deficit, I may get Gunrunnerjohn to upgrade the smoke unit. 

In defense of John Q Public that wants to buy a toy and run it; they don't understand that you actually have to work on these things. We had a family visit the layout on Friday with a 10 yr old Lionel 2-4-2 steamer. It would barely move under its own power. Gears/axles were dry and had wadded up cat hair. The pickup rollers would not turn. Five minutes of cleaning, oiling, and greasing, and it took off an ran like a scalded duck. VERY happy little boy!!!!

Last edited by Gilly@N&W

Well said Gilly!

These issues have not prevented me from getting further into the Hobby.  In fact, the opposite.  I'm learning lots more about them and how to maintain them, and gives me an avenue to teach my kids about maintaining things so that they last.  It's been a ton of fun.  I started with  a Pennsylvania Flyer LionChief kit and loved it.  Move onto the LionChief PE, then the 10th Anni. PE, and now awaiting the Mickeys Christmas set that came out this season.  Loving all the fun we can have as a family with them

It is interesting to see "1946" technology  in those wheel sets and bearings setting them in place like that pictured above.

 Lionel made in "1946" 1 year only production #726 Berkshire similar wheels sets similar bearings where each set is able to come out once the pickup plate and drive rods are removed has worm gear on front and rear set.

Just interesting personally to see that setup on a modern engine.

I opened up my 10th anniversary PE Berk today to check the motor mounting screws.  Fortunately both screws were present, I did tighten them a little bit.  Wasn't a major excess of grease but what was extra was gathered up and spread on the worm gear.  Put it all back together, oiled all the linkage and put it under the tree.  Seems to be running like new.

In 2018 I purchased a Lionel Lionchief Polar Express with remote SKU: 6-30218, for my Grandson. It's the NON-Bluetooth version. I oil it up each year. My Grandsons are 6 & 3 and probably played with the trains more this year than usual. We alternate between various Lionchief engines, mostly for variety.

The engine has been used only as a Xmas layout set. It's been an excellent runner, quite, smooth, nice slow speed performance, but at the end of this past Xmas season, it developed a noticeable whine when running. Boys being boys, they like to run fast. With 2 loops of track, it's never, lets run the trains but lets race them! How could you blame them. I always use a variable transformer to keep the voltage low & high speed within reason. I also monitor them to be sure they're careful.

I decided to remove the engine until I could at least grease up the gears. I only removed the bottom plate, cleaned up some excess oil & grease then re-lubricated. Inspection showed little to no wear. Back together & on the track with no change in the noise.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Joe

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