Lionel 600-series NW2 switcher locomotives are pretty easy to work on once you get them disassembled. But if you’ve never taken one apart, it may not be clear where to start. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the steps to take one of these apart and put it back together.
The vertical-mounted motor is easy to service. You can do half the work without even taking it apart. Flip the locomotive over, then locate the geared shaft that engages the drive wheel. Apply 1-2 drops of oil to the shaft. Then apply a couple of small glops of Lithium grease to the gears. It doesn’t take a lot.
For the other half, open the engine, then apply another couple of drops of oil to the other side of the motor shaft from the top.
Disassemble a Lionel 600-series NW2 locomotive
If your locomotive has an e-unit, push the e-unit lever all the way forward. This keeps it from interfering as you complete the proces. Remove the Phillips-head screw from the front of the engine. This screw is underneath the grill at the front of the body. The black color usually makes it easy to find once you know what to look for, since the locomotive body is usually a much brighter color.
Once you remove the screw, slide the locomotive body forward until it disengages from the tab in the back of the locomotive frame. Tilt the body up as you remove it if you need.
Resassemble a Lionel 600-series NW2 locomotive
To reassemble, push the e-unit lever all the way backward to keep it from interfering with reinstalling the body. Then tilt the body over the lever and slide the body backward until it fully engages the tab in the back of the body. Replace the screw. A magnetic screwdriver really helps since the screw is very small and the handrails make it difficult for you to reach in there with your other hand to hold it in place.
To service the rest of the locomotive, apply a drop of oil to each axle where it contacts its bearing. Apply a drop of oil to each roller where it contacts the bearing it rolls on. Then clean the wheels with a bit of alcohol or mineral spirits on a cotton swab. Mineral spirits generally does a better job faster, but alcohol may be more readily available.
David Farquhar is a computer security professional, entrepreneur, and author. He started his career as a part-time computer technician in 1994, worked his way up to system administrator by 1997, and has specialized in vulnerability management since 2013. He invests in real estate on the side and his hobbies include O gauge trains, baseball cards, and retro computers and video games. A University of Missouri graduate, he holds CISSP and Security+ certifications. He lives in St. Louis with his family.