I'll start by saying I am completely clueless to most of this. I've had several model trains as a kid and have one HO now that really only sees daylight around Christmas. I love the hobby just don't have much time. Anyway to my question.
My dad had a Lionel 239 set. I'll include pictures. I'm 36 and it has never run in my lifetime. His best guess is that the last time it ran was the early 70s. I had it repaired at Draude's Derailment in Lebanon, PA.
I can't seem to get it running. The original power pack or whatever it's called doesn't work. I'm using one of two that powered a Disney Lionel set from the early 90s. It seems like it wants to go but just not getting enough power. The track isn't great, but the other ones I have run ok on it. I'm not sure if the weight of the metal locomotive is weighing it down. I also noticed the old/original power pack says AC only whereas the one from the 90s has AC and DC terminals. The locomotive itself doesn't say anything. I'll include a picture. I know it's not the matching tender.
It's almost like I need more power to get it going.
It won't let me add pictures in guessing there is a minimum post requirement?
Thanks for the help. After reading I never realized it was a cheaper model. I thought because it was metal that it was a better quality. I tried just the AC terminals. It still seems like it wants to go but doesn't. I'm wondering if the track is the issue.
Because of the loco's motor design, all the wheels and the track have to be very clean. Use Naphtha on a rag to clean everything as best you can and use a ScotchBrite pad to shine the wheels and track. Go over everything again with the Naphtha to clean off any residue.
Bypass the track. Hold the loco in one hand right side up and connect one wire from the transformer to a roller pickup. Turn on the power and touch the other transformer wire to one of the drive wheels. The loco should run. If not, move the reverse lever on top and try again. If the loco does not run, chances are the motor is in need of servicing. Not a fun project.
The attached service manual gives you a parts view of these unique motors. The wheels on one side need to be pulled off, and there are two metal clips on either end that hold the motor case halves together. Inside the motor is a handful of never seen before parts that need to go together precisely in the right order without flying out. You need tons of patience and 4 hands to reassemble the motor and get it to work.
I have repaired a number of these locos, and I cringe just remembering the multiple times it took to take apart and reassemble the motor until it ran.
If you still feel up to it, go at it. You have been warned.
Larry