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 Posted - May 31 2015 : 2:48:26 PM
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[limegreen]how do you fix a 1960 lionel ho santa fe 0565 that sparks out on the trucks
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Posted - May 31 2015 : 3:46:37 PM
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** That is a number for a ATSF Alco FA locomotive? A guess without looking is. Sparks usually means a short circuit. It usually means that you have disconnected the trucks and put one on backwards. Or something is wrong within a truck itself. Or a truck pickup wire has broken off and is touching the frame someplace. Or the same pick up wire is touching the metal frame somewhere. Good luck !
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
Edited by - toptrain on May 31 2015 3:48:29 PM
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Posted - May 31 2015 : 6:30:43 PM
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quote: [limegreen]how do you fix a 1960 lionel ho santa fe 0565 that sparks out on the trucks
Originally posted by Lionelkid1993Â -Â May 31 2015Â :Â 2:48:26 PM
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if it's running AND sparking, that is no short. That is just plain DIRTY wheels or track. if the wheels have gotten so badly loaded up with crud, they will spark like crazy, but the engine will still run. if there's a short, it won't run, plain and simple electric operation 101. I suspect your entire engine drivetrain needs cleaning. But since you don't say if it IS running ( or not ) by your description, then it's impossible to tell if it's a short or just dirt build-up. So, which is it? 
Oh, and there's a 3rd option - if the wheels are cruded up, AND the motor is binding due to lack of lube, it may not move, and still spark, and NOT be shorted, either. It all depends on the circumstances. if you have a Tech II transformer, the green power light will dim if it's a short, or high power draw. But a simpler power pack won't tell you what the condition is when you put power to the locomotive. You can put a light bulb across the track to get the same capability, to see if it goes dim, or stays brighter when applying power. Other than that, we need more to go on to draw some valid conclusions.
Jerry in Va
has a few HO Lionel engines, one steam.
Also does model train repairs
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
Edited by - AMC_Gremlin_GT on May 31 2015 6:37:08 PM
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Posted - May 31 2015 : 6:32:03 PM
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What exactly do you mean by "sparking out?"
Is it sparking while it runs, or not running at all? Is it sparking on curves or all the time?
Also, are the trucks metal or plastic? I don't own one of those, so I'm not certain. A little more info and I'm sure someone can help you. The only Lionel HO pieces I have are plastic.
If the trucks are metal, sometimes they rub on the metal frame or body. This can be adjusted.
Also, just fyi....http://www.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=1134
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Posted - May 31 2015 : 7:47:50 PM
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I think they are plastic trucks. There was a version that was metal, but I don't think those ones were them...earlier, and had pulleys, belts and worm/worm gears.
Dirty wheels, dirty pickups, worn pickups, motor and gear lube, dirty track.
I have a box of them.
I even had to develop a field fix for the broken clips on the bottom covers.
Never been a fan of FA's.....and not much of a Lionel Half Zero fan, either.
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