Lionel EP-5 Electric Locomotive Project…Will it Run???

[@mikehidiroglou9699]

Nice work. Camera work is great. Easy to see in detail what you are doing. Good and slow explanations.

[@johnknippenberg-LandmarkYards]

Awesome job, looks great! And now I know how to fix a sticking E-unit. 😎👍

[@mikehidiroglou9699]

Th tough way to go is to dismantle the E-unit. I have done it: but it is painful work to put the toller back in.

[@genemanno1533]

Too many issues with “e” units as they age. I replace them with double pole miniature switches. Since I really use forward mostly. A simple flick of the switch for any reverse direction is easy enough since it is limited number of times. Another advantage is the center switch position shuts down the engine so it can remain motionless on the tracks while you run a different engine. No need to have a dead siding. Cleaning by picking at it is a joke. An ultra sonic cleaning will do a much better job and completely remove all the old caked up matter. What about the bearings, still have gunk?

[@johnandrus3901]

Nice. Is that red grease synthetic? I've gone to mostly 100% synthetic lube oil, although I use Phil Wood waterproof grease for the worm gear and other internal assemblies. I've been using Phil Wood grease for the hub bearings in my bicycles for many years and it is quite excellent.

[@darius7760]

Good work getting your EP-5 to run great. Does it matter which direction to rotate the drum in e unit? Looks like you moved drum clockwise to clean with wire wheel?

[@modeltrainsolutions7368]

When cleaning the drum while in the e unit, no, it doesn’t matter which direction it rotates. You can also use a q-tip with electric contact cleaner to clean the drum as well. I just opted for the wire wheel in this video. Thank you for your questions.

[@darius7760]

okay I appreciate you clarifying drum rotation. I have a couple postwar 2031 Alcos that one only goes forward and the other one is stuck in neutral I suspect e unit problem. I saw earlier youtube from someone else that told viewers not to rotate drum backwards because you will bend the fingers. I must have gotten wrong information