locomotive 'buzzing' but doesn't move

• locomotive 'buzzing' but doesn't move
  Posted by edp458 on 17 Dec, 2019 17:01
• Have an Erie 610 switcher locomotive that I bought used on ebay.    Intermittently, it just 'buzzes' and doesn't move but after fiddling with the transformer/relay-looking structure in the middle, then seems to 'loosen up' and work.    I'm obviously not an expert on this, but seems like it has something to do with the mechanical structure that controls whether the locomotive goes 1 way or 2 directions.     Any advice as what to clean or lubricate or replace would be appreciated ...
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• #1 Reply
  Posted by TrainLarry on 17 Dec, 2019 21:12
• The reversing unit is known as an 'E' unit on Lionel locomotives. When it does not sequence properly, it usually needs a good cleaning and overhaul.
  
  Here are 2 good videos on the overhaul process.
  Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3cHF_a6CNM
  Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA6AdfzXo3g
  
  
  Larry
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• #2 Reply
  Posted by Quietman on 19 Dec, 2019 12:52
• For edp458
  
  This is a good explanation of how the e-unit works (the relay looking structure you mentioned).
  https://dfarq.homeip.net/how-does-a-lionel-e-unit-work/
  
  Sounds like you're new to this. Below is a link to an old Popular Science reference article from 1964 that gives a good basic explanation of some parts and some fixes for simple problems. This will give you a starting point if you run into additional issues.
  https://archive.org/details/PopularScienceReferenceLibrary15CommonRepairsForElectricTrains1964/page/n5
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