I am the original owner of a 2026. Got it out for my grandson. Running sluggish and noisy after many many years. Followed your video, cleaned, lubed, and oiled. Now it screams around the track. GREAT video Warren!
Been picking these 2026 engines up for really cheap and just doing the maintenance on them. And then they run great. Great little engines that they made a couple tons of. Just found your channel.
Well, of course we have to watch what we say in the comments, but that largely goes for content creators as well. The pristine Marx transformer that you have there is a 50 watt like I had in 1955 for my Lionel 0-4-0 work train. My Dad couldn't afford a Lionel transformer for the starter set because it didn't come with one, so he bought my Marx 1209 although mine was black. That little transformer ran my steamer around the 4x8 foot layout until I graduated from high school in 65. I might call it small, but I wouldn't call it crappy.
I've got lots of transformers and compared to some of my 90+ watt transformers the little Marx would be considered a test transformer in my fleet of transformers. 😉
The slider shoe is designed for use on tubular track.When Lionel made the much more realistic fast track the third rail is ushaped. Your final approach to slightly alter the shape of the shoe was correct and was Lionels suggestion also.Good job!
My 1948 2026 could barely pull 5 cars and couldn’t make it around the track without shorting. After I followed the steps in this video my old 2026 runs butter smooth without shorting AND can now pull 11+ old cars!! Amazing and thanks!!!
Hello, say, my brush plate was stuck to the motor housing. I tried to slowly pry it up, but when I got closer to the wheels, the brush plate broke at the spindle. Would you know of a place to buy another one? I dont want to continue working on it if it's going to cost an arm n a leg. Thanks 😊
You can get reproductions on Ebay. Thats where I got a set and they work perfectly. Otherwise its keeping your eyes open at train shows for a guy with parts.
I have a 2026 and a 2034,down facing e unit ,with hand rails.I understand Lionel was using up their cast bodies before going to the plastic bodies.any help appreciated.
I'm not sure what help you are asking for here. The 2034 was designed with the unit lever facing down. As far as Scouts go, the 2034 is a strong puller for its size. The 2034 did not have handrails, if yours does its a modification someone did. The 2026 is a great loco, very common. If yours has handrails and extra driver arms and a 2-6-2 its the early version. Lots of detail, looks great! Lionel switched the "Scout" models from die cast to plastic. The other steamers were still die cast right until 1969. That said they still used diecast bodies for the large steamers in the 70's in to the 90's. I don't know what they use now.
I have this exact model...it works, and then it doesn't. Brushes are good and cleaned, commutator is clean, e-unit appears clean and working. Not sure what else I can do?
Thanks for watching. Check the slider shoes (or pick up shoes) on the bottom. Do they have holes worn in them? It sounds like they are losing contact with the track. If they aren't worn through you can remove them and spread them open just a bit. Replace them and try that. If you're on Fast track that is likely another issue. Mine works beautifully on tube rails. Not so reliable on FastTrack no matter what I do. Especially Fast Track switches. The worst for my 1948 2026
@@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331 I'm testing it directly...not on the track. Power to chassis and to the shoes...mostly it doesn't work. I have no clue at this point!
It sounds like a broken or bad wire connection. Inwoild check all the solder joints. Even the main power wire from the pick up rollers. Check for bare spots on the wires that may be shorting out on the chassis, or body.
I keep referring back to this video. Really appreciate the closeups and commentary.
Can't wait until I have a part's bin, too lol.
I am the original owner of a 2026. Got it out for my grandson. Running sluggish and noisy after many many years. Followed your video, cleaned, lubed, and oiled. Now it screams around the track. GREAT video Warren!
It needs *more* lubrication on the motor
Been picking these 2026 engines up for really cheap and just doing the maintenance on them. And then they run great. Great little engines that they made a couple tons of. Just found your channel.
Well, of course we have to watch what we say in the comments, but that largely goes for content creators as well. The pristine Marx transformer that you have there is a 50 watt like I had in 1955 for my Lionel 0-4-0 work train. My Dad couldn't afford a Lionel transformer for the starter set because it didn't come with one, so he bought my Marx 1209 although mine was black. That little transformer ran my steamer around the 4x8 foot layout until I graduated from high school in 65. I might call it small, but I wouldn't call it crappy.
I've got lots of transformers and compared to some of my 90+ watt transformers the little Marx would be considered a test transformer in my fleet of transformers. 😉
The slider shoe is designed for use on tubular track.When Lionel made the much more realistic fast track the third rail is ushaped. Your final approach to slightly alter the shape of the shoe was correct and was Lionels suggestion also.Good job!
My 1948 2026 could barely pull 5 cars and couldn’t make it around the track without shorting. After I followed the steps in this video my old 2026 runs butter smooth without shorting AND can now pull 11+ old cars!! Amazing and thanks!!!
Fantastic video! So helpful!
Thank you! I love hearing that these have actually helped others!
I have a few of these in my collection, but most are later. Thanks for the very informative video.
Nice vid, very informative; you can also fill in the voids in the shoe with solder, that will last a long time. Thanx Sam
Nice video friend!
Very nice locomotive.
Hello, say, my brush plate was stuck to the motor housing. I tried to slowly pry it up, but when I got closer to the wheels, the brush plate broke at the spindle. Would you know of a place to buy another one? I dont want to continue working on it if it's going to cost an arm n a leg. Thanks 😊
You can get reproductions on Ebay. Thats where I got a set and they work perfectly. Otherwise its keeping your eyes open at train shows for a guy with parts.
I have a 2026 and a 2034,down facing e unit ,with hand rails.I understand Lionel was using up their cast bodies before going to the plastic bodies.any help appreciated.
I'm not sure what help you are asking for here. The 2034 was designed with the unit lever facing down. As far as Scouts go, the 2034 is a strong puller for its size. The 2034 did not have handrails, if yours does its a modification someone did.
The 2026 is a great loco, very common. If yours has handrails and extra driver arms and a 2-6-2 its the early version. Lots of detail, looks great!
Lionel switched the "Scout" models from die cast to plastic. The other steamers were still die cast right until 1969. That said they still used diecast bodies for the large steamers in the 70's in to the 90's. I don't know what they use now.
I have this exact model...it works, and then it doesn't. Brushes are good and cleaned, commutator is clean, e-unit appears clean and working. Not sure what else I can do?
Thanks for watching. Check the slider shoes (or pick up shoes) on the bottom. Do they have holes worn in them? It sounds like they are losing contact with the track. If they aren't worn through you can remove them and spread them open just a bit. Replace them and try that.
If you're on Fast track that is likely another issue. Mine works beautifully on tube rails. Not so reliable on FastTrack no matter what I do. Especially Fast Track switches. The worst for my 1948 2026
@@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331 I'm testing it directly...not on the track. Power to chassis and to the shoes...mostly it doesn't work. I have no clue at this point!
It sounds like a broken or bad wire connection. Inwoild check all the solder joints. Even the main power wire from the pick up rollers. Check for bare spots on the wires that may be shorting out on the chassis, or body.
@@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331 Thanks Warren, it turned out to be even simpler...I cleaned all the carbon out of the brush holders!
I tried it after putting it in the shell and it worked many times, then after complete assembly it stopped working. I guess I'm done trying.
Can I remove the e unit from my 2026 Lionel locomotive and will it work better
Hey Bill. If you remove the e unit you need to rewire the Loco and you will only be able to run it in one direction.
❤ it