Slow postwar steamers

Q: I have two postwar steamers that run, but very slowly. The no. 681 Pennsy turbine has been run so much that the drivers have grooves in them. My no. 736 Berkshire has a similar malady. Since they have sentimental value from my early days, I’d still like to run them, rather than buying new locomotives. Is it possible that I need new motors or new armatures? Any advice on fixing this would be appreciated. – E. Weber, Corona, CA

A: It’s possible that you need new motors or armatures for your engines, particularly since you say you have worn grooves in your turbine’s drivers. But, before you reach for your wallet, let me ask: When was the last time you cleaned and tuned up the motors and thoroughly lubricated the engines? The motors Lionel used in the nos. 681 and 736 are heavy duty and very durable, but they need routine maintenance and service.

Chronic slow running is usually a symptom of a neglected motor that has acquired a very dirty commutator and/or clogged brush wells. (The brushes themselves could need replacement.) As long as there are no other symptoms, such as clanks, rattles, or other odd quirks and noises, I would suggest you try tuning the motors and lubricating the engines before doing anything else. Our downloadable PDF, Repair and maintenance of postwar Lionel locomotives can help you.