Reviving An N-Scale Lima Switcher Locomotive

I got this N-Scale lima 040 switcher locomotive in the mail a few weeks ago as a gift from David Z to G. Upon testing it, I discovered it didn't run so I thought I would have a go at trying to revive it and turn it back into a working locomotive.

[@theshoeman7044]

Outstanding! Once again Dr FrankenSMT resurrects a live loco from a dead one. Pay close attention everyone: the great lesson in all of these videos revolves around good, solid, basic troubleshooting skills. Anyone can do this stuff, it's just that Harrison makes it look so easy. Great job! - P -

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks for your comment. You're absolutely right - although these videos are about fixing specific problems the solutions can be applied to almost any locomotive.

[@DFWRailVideos]

I resurrected a locomotive just by running it

[@tommurphy4307]

you are down-playing his experience. he's torn into hundreds- maybe even thousands of power units and he remembers everything about them. that counts bunches for good motor-man skills.

[@iforgor2929]

reasons why SMT is a good youtuber: *He likes trains *he likes model trains *he is fun *he is kind but most important, *hes canadian*

[@SMTMainline]

Haha, thanks. I appreciate that :)

[@iforgor2929]

@@SMTMainline no problem mr. smt

[@el_cuh_9094]

Yes

[@alcopower5710]

Generic railfan .....just gunna send er

[@mistermadmachine6311]

👍

[@heyjay25]

Such a cool shot with the tunnel!

[@irondiamondrailproductions9038]

Plymouth’s are quite nice locomotives. Perfect for a short line or small switching job.

[@tommurphy4307]

and racing

[@MMRails]

This reminds me of the time my pancakes didn’t work out. Too much flour. Cleaned off tracks, runs great. Well done.

[@tommurphy4307]

when those kind of pancakes fall off the layout and onto the floor- it doesn't bother you much....

[@davidztog9011]

I knew she'd be a runner once you took her apart Harrison. 🤞 Young Frankenstein indeed with those mini jumper cables. Mama says life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you'll get, as is with train show buys. But for a few bucks, you take a chance, and you need more N scale locomotives to run during livestreams. That thing is super fast, then you kicked it into hypedrive with a little editing magic. Thanks for sharing. 👍 👍 👍

[@alcopower5710]

Really enjoyed the different camera angles. Well done on the repair

[@ralphgreenwood5857]

Wow!! That little bugger is fast!! Great Overhaul!!!

[@nathandelay]

That’s awesome Harrison and very successful of having The locomotive working and have an awesome day

[@LehighNewEnglandRailfan]

There is not one video where he does not say "Well Folks" as an introduction.

[@CSAORailfan]

Nice restoration! I find these all very cool! And can't wait for the next one!

[@crudecaboose8382]

Nice, saw one of these at a show last month

[@ashevilletrainman6989]

Hmmmmm. Another video from the king of repairing model trains! Have you thought of owning a model train repair shop? I never liked N scale, it looks too "toyish" in my opinion, but I love watching videos of someones train layout thinking its HO scale only to find out its N scale, so there isn't a lack of detail its just much harder. self plug: model train video coming tmmr.

[@davidztog9011]

Lots of wonderful N scale layouts out there, you just have to find them. Check out Roy Smith's N-Scale Union Pacific Evanston Subdivision and Cuzzin Vinny's bnsf6951 to get you started.

[@sergioarroyoguerrero5434]

N scale switcher locomotive. Lima 🇮🇹. Good job in repair the locomotive.

[@ArcadiaJunctionModelTrains]

I remember these monstrosities from when I was a kid. They never ran well. You did bringing it back to life though.

[@greatandpowerfulSUZI]

7:17 (cleaning intensifies)

[@warbabyproductions]

Cool can u do the bachmann n scale Union Pacific 119 the 4-4-0 that you got from that train show that needs repairs

[@tjprptchable]

Very nice restoration SMT keep up the great work

[@emdB67]

Lima N scale was never known for its precision running qualities, but they made quite a large range of models from around the world - not even including their huge HO and OO ranges and even O scale. I've lost count how many I've worked on in all 4 scales over the years. Including many of these little Plymouth switchers. You may have worked it out later, but I'll mention that the easier way to work on them is to simply unclip the body from the chassis - no need to undo the screws. And assembly is much easier in reverse with the mechanism screwed to the chassis. The weights sit in the spaces each end of the chassis, then you clip the body over it. I also recall that if you unscrewed the mechanism, it was all too easy to put it in the wrong way around so that the gears would hit the chassis - or I may be thinking of the HO version. My first N scale layout came with two of these little Lima locos. One in Baltimore & Ohio, the other in NSWGR (Australian).

[@vex8836]

Had a big collection of ho scale switcher locomotives that didn’t run. I either got em cheap or they were given to me. Really miss the ones I had. They got stolen and was gonna give em to my son. Overall enjoyed working on them. Glad to see you take care of these as well :)

[@tommurphy4307]

harrison, love that tunnel! you really went all out on that....

[@dkendrick1916]

Is this going to start a giant switcher collection like the ho 0-4-0s?

[@SMTMainline]

I already have like 25 in HO scale.

[@kevinjennerproductions2024]

@@SMTMainline now you need to do a complete video on your 0-4-0 switchers.

[@monstermasterhaunts1054]

always wanted to get into n sale

[@davidztog9011]

Dive right in, the rails are fine. If you want a real adventure, try Z scale.

[@dbtech7914]

Nice job! That's a cool little switcher.

[@caseycharlieandadam]

I had my fingers crossed

[@DFWRailVideos]

"Well folks in todays video" should be registered by SMT

[@Brandonvilches0721]

Cool! Looks like a GE 25 tonner

[@duhpexilartist5935]

Smt on the n scale layout make a yard for all your 040 engiens lol

[@caseycharlieandadam]

You’re restorations at so cool

[@scottledbetter2479]

Gearing on that loco reminds me of a Tyco power torque

[@NOVARailandWeatherEnthusiast]

Scott Ledbetter i believe is a tyco engine.

[@Burlington_Route]

IT LIVES!

[@themadcoachman]

With the Lima Motor if you disassemble , it clean the commutator plate and clean brushes if serviceable or replace them if you can get them

[@pancudowny]

That's got to be the only N-scale Lime 0-4-0 "switcher" I ever saw... all others were 0-6-0. The only one 0-4-0 version I've seen is in HO-scale, and was painted in the Silver/Red scheme.

[@harrisonlamore3438]

Very cool n scale train can you posbally do a video sometime about your favorite part on the layout you have

[@southernmichiganrailfan9841]

Cool

[@AlejandroDiaz-jf9fn]

I saw a head light for a second

[@mistermadmachine6311]

Woah 😮you did it

[@bone_valley_railfan_produc8286]

Try to do more videos of your N scale trains

[@scottvalleyproductions]

Are these still prerecorded smt

[@SMTMainline]

Nope, genuine smt content although most of this one was filmed yesterday.

[@MikeThomasRailRoadOverhaul]

Great job

[@jacojasso9901]

Nice video smt

[@boosk1348]

When did you get that new n scale track?

[@SMTMainline]

I think it was sometime around mid December, they were selling it super cheap at my local hobby shop.

[@Petemonster62]

SMT - That engine looks like it would be a good puller; you should install some couplers!

[@SMTMainline]

Certainly, it would be nice to see it hauling some freight.

[@albertweir5070]

Awww your a clever bloke arent ya

[@davidrichie9570]

good close-up camera work. For once we can see what the repairman is doing.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you so kindly!

[@davidrichie9570]

Of course the Lima mechanism itself is so horrible that it hardly deserves the attention you lavished on it. If somebody really covets this prototype, better to throw away the mechanism and scratch build one

[@lazyrrr2411]

you were always good SMT , but ℹ just don't DO HO ... When i saw that old Postage Stamp train ℹ *had* to stop in - - - 👍 Good Job

[@haroldalexis4200]

Uh oh towards the end..😱

[@TTVhadjsnsakjldnfsdjk]

Does anybody know a reliable site where I can buy parts for a spectrum doodlebug in HO scale bachmann's website doesn't have it anymore, and Ebay/Amazon only have full engines (not too expensive on ebay)

[@davidstrainsandlego]

It's small in 1:1 In small in 1:160

[@raymondo162]

i'd suggest looking at other channels to see how to do a proper loco service

[@fairportrails107]

I own a Lima tgv

[@phoenicianlocal2363]

Do you have any current videos or are planning to make any future videos of fixing an HO scale version of that 0-4-0 Plymouth switcher?

[@robertlucido3686]

Are you going to find N scale steam locomotives to run, also what kind of N scale track do you have on your layout

[@SMTMainline]

I've got one N-scale steam locomotive and my track is Atlas true track

[@Benthetrainkid]

You changed the track on the N scale layout?!

[@jorgel.fernandeziii8278]

The little engine you just took apart and put back together again, it was made overseas in Italy by a company called (“Lima”) who brought (“N”) Gauge to the US ! using better systems in the later locomotives as well as making cars that American companies didn’t make for American railroads ! If I’m correct the company should still be in business possibly even under the Repido name !?! Up until today I did not know that you had (“N”) Gauge,, HO gauge, and (“O”) Gauge too !!! I’ve got a favor to ask ? I’m having a really hard time finding in Z scale ? Any Help would be (“Highly appreciated”), !!! 🌊🐺

[@billholmes3833]

What were you using to clean the wheels?

[@SMTMainline]

A Peco track cleaner

[@billholmes3833]

@@SMTMainline Thanks!

[@NOVARailandWeatherEnthusiast]

I have a variant of this engine. The only difference is the blue paint. The one on mine is black. Ironically I tried to run it a couple days ago but it wouldn’t run. What could be the reason for this? Edit: I have it in HO scale not N scale.

[@Justlovedolls2024]

What brand is your track on your n scale layout?

[@SMTMainline]

Atlas

[@Justlovedolls2024]

True track code 83?

[@SuperGodzilla777]

i have a ho scale setup in my glassroom

[@samcohen3438]

I have this

[@KCDash4400cw]

Who's serenity

[@SMTMainline]

No ones

[@selimomar2352]

i want it