I am looking for a repair location in the Sacramento, CA area. I have a Lionel Christmas Train and am told the gear in the engine is bent. Do you have any suggestions?

Yes, but before I took the set to a model train dealer I would check the basics. Depending how the unit is stored I would assume that corrosion(oxide) has built up between the electrical components.

This is so common that it can be assumed to be a normal maintenance activity.

The connections from the power to the track, between the tracks and between the engine wheels and the track.

Setting up on a table top allows for convenient troubleshooting.
A voltmeter provides a good tool for efficient analysis of the electrical circuit.

Using a soft cloth rub/polish the rails to eliminate oxide/grime built up.
Use an eraser to scrub the connections between the rails,

I've included several links to provide you with examples of problems and solutions.

Merry Christmas

Hope this helps?



Troubleshooting Ready To Run Lionel Train Sets
Setting Up Your Lionel Train Set
How To Fix Problem With Lionel Fastrak With Voltage Drop Fastrack Connection Pin Fix

Your best option is to contact Lionel Customer service:
598-949-4100 ext. 2
9AM - 5PM Eastern Time Zone
They will give you instructions if they think it needs to be sent in for repair.

You could try contacting the Lionel Service Department on
their website contact service. Contact Lionel Trains

Check out these Lionel Customer Service Videos.


http://www.lionel.com/CustomerService/service-documents/video.cfm?documentID=6334


http://www.lionel.com/CustomerService/service-documents/video.cfm?documentID=6337

Most Lionel engines have a small slider switch which can turn off the smoke generator. Check to see that the switch is in the ON position. Check the engine manual (available from Lionel's website) for the location of the switch.

Also, if the smoke generator is always on and no fluid had been used in the generator, it will eventually burn out. Replacement smoke generators are available from Lionel.

Please go to the Lionel WebSite and type:

73-1960-250 in to search. This is a PDF file for the Polar Express which was released by Lionel in 5/05. You can also go directly to: http://www.lionel.com/media/servicedocuments/73-1960-250.pdf

If sounds like something is wrong with circuit board that controls direction. If it is new it should still under warranty. Find a decent repair shop from Lionel and bring it in.

Yes. Find a Lionel repair shop or bring it to a local hobby store that does model train repairs. You can contact Lionel for a list of repair shops.

I had the same dilema and trains are not new to me. Look under the piece of straight track that has a notch in it for the wiring. There will be a clip to hold the wire and a piece of plactic that looks like a block. One either side of that is a metal tab that one end of the wiring slides over. Actually each piece of the Fastrack has one of these. Only one has a notch but you can notch any one.
MHC

Answer a number of questions:
Is the tranformer power adequate for the train and is it a working tranformer?
Will the train run by connecting the wires directly to the two points of the train (wheels and center rail connector)?
Are the tracks new?
Is the lockon new?