Dave:

The shoes and their springs are in perfect shape.  However, I followed up on your earlier hint about the actuator possibly being bent up enough to catch.  Actually it (mostly the red plastic area around the actuator button) appeared to be bulging, so I simply filed it down sufficiently so the shoes were no longer snagging on it.  So now the problem is now resolved.  The old 221 is running perfectly.  And I didn't have to do anything with the engine.  Thanks for your help!

While we are on the subject of the 221, is yours gray like mine, and do you know if anyone makes a good model paint to match it?

Dave 

Hi:

I have an old Lionel 221 loco from 1947.  I recently unpacked it and tried it out on my test track.  It runs perfectly well except for the fact that it hangs up when trying to clear the #6019 uncoupling track section.  The engine and the test track (including the #6019) are all O27 of the same vintage.  All my other engines manage this section perfectly well.  It appears to be a clearance issue.  The engine jumps when it hits the uncoupling section.  Has anyone else encountered this problem?

Thanks,
Davehagar01