Hello guys. Recently bought a Lionel dual motor GP-38 engine with train sounds. It is very slow and lacks power, pulling just 3 cars. Bought it brand new, and testing it with a new CW-80 Lionel transformer. Tested the engine to see if both motors are working, (yes both equal speed) and they run from both ends of engine (wiring from power pick-up on tracks good)... I tried it with a 50 watt K-Line transformer, no better. Tried a Lionel old style Pullmore motor, NW-2 engine, much better results. That engine will pull the GP-38 and 3 cars. Tracks connections etc, all ok. Are these middle of the line dual can motor engine troublesome? lack power? or mine is bad? Thanks!.
I'm not much on the post-1945-69 time period. I did dabble some into the mid-80s. How heavy is the engine? Can you tell if it's spinning wheels as it tries to pull? Slow and three cars certainly does not sound correct. Boxcab E50
Well it is heavy and certainly not spinning. I don't think it could spin on bare ice!. The cab light and drive lights shine bright, sounds are ok but there is just no pulling power at all. Adding 3 cars, even a caboose with lighting and smoker, that steal power from the transformer, does not make it slower. It's just slow by itself!.
What year was it made? Are the trucks with the motors down under the floor? The last two motor Lionel I bought was the New Haven EP5 and it pulled 20 box cars of the MPC era without a problem. It had two Pullmore type motors though. My single motor GP9's pulled all most as much as the EP5. About the time I got married and money wasn't available for hobbies is when the new small motors under the floor started showing up. IIRC they weren't the best pulling engines out there.
Yes, they are those "under the floor" canned type motors. I know it is a middle of the line engine but there is something wrong with it. When i first got it (2 weeks ago), it was faster. It only saw perhaps 2 hours of running time, and seems slower by the minute now...:thumbs_down:.
Is there any odor which might hint of a motor in the process of failing? This is sounding like an issue which will require attention from an authorized service center. Boxcab E50
You say the engine is new? If so return it to the dealer, explain the problem, if he is a competitent fellow he'll test it and repair/replace it at little or no cost. If you got it at a train show you may have been stiffed. It may just need a little lubrication.
It was "sitting on the doc of the BAY", if you see what i mean. Bought it brand new (there was no traces of wear on the wheels at all). Did not get the waranty registration card so... And i am from Canada, bought from a Us seller. He did offer me to take it back but, i just want to make sure the engine itself is bad... No bad smells either. Thanks again guys.
It may be the capacity of your transformer. I'm running a 1978 Southern Pacific Daylight F-3AA Dual Motor 8260 Diesel. It has 8-wheet drive, magne traction and has no problem pulling 9 fairly heavy lighted cars, but I'm using a 250 watt dual transformer.
More Power I have a Lionel PH-1, Powerhouse Power Supply, and a Trainmaster Command Set ( Cab-1 Remote Controller and Command Base) that are both in Like new condition that I am not using. I purchased this to run two Lionmaster (both two engine engines) on the same large figure 8 fasttrack. Both engines pulled long trains with no problem. If interested send me a private email offer.
