Trying to Fix the Worst Lionel CN 4-8-4 GS4 Locomotive - Will it Run!?

[@crabbinmoose8583]

I once worked all night on a 1986 Bachmann 611 with those stupid gears. Every time I got one wheel set fixed, the next one would fail and make me want to pull a Gomez Addams. I fixed one for a close friend, but I refuse to work on them for anyone else. Good job on this noisy beast.

[@SMTMainline]

I completely understand why. I fixed my father's 2-8-0 and the one seen in this video but I'm not interested in collecting/repairing many more of them.

[@crabbinmoose8583]

@SMTMainline, sometimes one working example is good to have, but all the rest of 'em can be parts bin or shelf-queens.

[@B.E.E.F..B.O.S.S]

I have a Bachman 0-6-0 and it had the axel splitting all I did was glue it on with gorilla clear glue and it fixed the problem

[@antonbruce1241]

Harrison, this wasn't a repair - this was a complete rebuild! My hat's off to you on this one! I would NEVER have the patience to do what you did for this loco!. Next for it....a DCC controller!!!

[@SMTMainline]

Yep, I'm glad it paid off. if I wanted to add DCC do you know what CVs I would have to change for the motor?

[@thegreatdh]

I remember watching a small youtube channel called Scrumptious Model Trains a few years ago now. It only had a little over 1000 subscribers at the time. And seeing this channel stay relatively the same apart from well now having 100,000 subscribers is honestly jaw dropping. I cannot congratulate SMT enough, and wish him good luck on the road to a 1 Million subscribers! ;)

[@mlalbaitero]

Oh so that's what it stands for

[@SMTMainline]

In it's humble beginnings, I don't think anyone (including myself) predicted it would ever go this far. I'm just as amazed :)

[@Santaanacanyon]

Thanks for this. I’m restoring a 60 year old Rivarrossi with similar troubles. Used your techniques shown here; she’s back in service. Great tutorial.

[@KP-oe8sk]

That is a great fix!! It run's like it has just had a triple espresso!! Well done !

[@mikeilkenhons8896]

Harrison… I bought a Bachmann loco with the same axle problem. All the shaft connectors are split… Bachmann “customer service repair” said those haven’t been made in more than 15 years. They couldn’t guarantee me that they could repair it.

[@Skyfire_The_Goth]

Nice little Peter Gabriel reference there. "You could have a steam train. If you'd just lay down your tracks. You could have an aeroplane flying. If you bring your blue sky back"

[@SMTMainline]

I'm a huge fan of his music so it came to mind while I was trying to fix a steamer.

[@MygrandpasTrain]

That's the result of an engine taken from "display only" to operational again. Most of the Bachmanns are display only these days. Also have a couple Lionel HO engines from the 60's and they were not designed much better. Made as Toy Trains, they were noisy and also suffered from split gears. Nice work on this one.

[@jasper_saberwolf]

Awesome creative repair idea with that tender serving as a backup secondary electrical pickup! Honestly, as long as the repair on the axles holds up, the noise it makes is almost reminiscent of chuffing at speed lol free low-tech DCC sound!

[@SMTMainline]

The DCC people spending all their money on decoders vs this one which comes with a crappier free version lol

[@johncloar1692]

Not a bad job at all, it work out a lot better than expected. Job well done. Thanks Harrison for the video. always a pleasurer to watch.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks

[@AMERICALxGUNNER]

@@SMTMainline what brand of track do you use for your layout?

[@oskarvalance3041]

My hat is off to you. I honestly thought no way. But somehow you got it to work. Nice job. From Texas

[@F40NJ2CAT]

I’m always happy when you upload a new repairing vid Harrison, I love seeing the locomotives have life again!

[@brigitteschwedhelm8631]

An amazing job once again, SMT!! YAY! Such a fun treat to watch.

[@uncleh5460]

Impressive trouble shoot! That adaptation with the tender; that's what keeps me coming back lol

[@gregnowak2492]

Great job, man! Very cool how you figured out ways around the issues.

[@johnheinzl8771]

Masterful job Harrison! Thanks for sharing and I look forward to the next repair video.

[@KosaiAvonej]

Absolutely love this video, my favourite videos of yours are these resurrection videos. I just like seeing these units which are otherwise often just discarded brought back to working order.

[@lotsatrains]

Another awesome locomotive brought back to life and actually I like the sound it makes it’s actually producing a realistic chugging sound 👍

[@SB--dn1qf]

My thoughts exactly

[@SMTMainline]

Don't say the bit about the chuffing sound too loud, you might summon James May.

[@lotsatrains]

@@SMTMainline hahaha 😝

[@realcanadian67]

​@@SMTMainlineDont worry, he probally got lost already, lol

[@mercuryoak2]

​@@SMTMainlineI think James May would laugh but then also have a fit lol

[@lellopesce]

Back in 1977 my father bought one of these for Christmas, in SP Daylight colors. At the time, it was my most valued engine, but the running was not that perfect. About 12 years later I go to a local RR show, and someone was selling the American Train GS4 body and tender only. There was another guy looking at it, but he had a Bachmann GS4, and the Lionel did not fit the Bachmann chassis, so he did not get it. I was able to get it, and worked perfectly on the Lionel chassis. I do not remember what my father bought it for, but the AM body and tender I got it for $10. It ran for another decade, but then it quit. Split gears, worn out motor, bad electrical pickup, just like you found out. I never thought of using the tender for pickup. Oh well. I no longer have them, but I have fond memories. Cheers.

[@SMTMainline]

I'll be curious to see how long this one holds up. I ordered 3D printed replacement parts when it finally breaks.

[@wilde1909]

I enjoy watching your “let’s see what can be done with this” videos. We get to see what someone with talent and imagination can do with a real garbage can candidate.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks. This one was certainly one of the trickier ones.

[@dansmodelrailways7886]

Great restoration mate. Nice to see another save from the junk yard

[@mercuryoak2]

I got to say Harrison you have more patience than I do with this type of work. I know myself I would probably try to find the chassis the newer version from bachmann but then again you would be putting in too much money into something that isn't technically worth it as you said. then in the long run it would be because you repaired it. Good job on the rebuild. I have olone bachmann f unit santafe 307 that I used plastic model cement on the front axles as they were split . It's funny hearing this running because it has a chugging type sound now lol.

[@jefflynnalex]

I had a Bachman U23b back in the 80s. Although it wasn't powerful, it was fairly smooth running. The way your GS4 runs and sounds reminds me of it.

[@barrydelaney6748]

You're more patient than I. I spent hours on a Bachmann Daylight and still never got it working. Makes a nice display piece though!

[@RockyRailroadProductions_B0SS]

Very handy - I was working on a Bachmann version of this drive for a custom S2 turbine drive after much of the valve gear decided to quit - That bit about not over-torquing the screws for the brushes just saved my motor. I believe there are 3D printed axle replacements available that might be interesting to experiment with.

[@SMTMainline]

I ordered some 3D printed replacements. I’m curious to see how they hold up.

[@czwij]

I put a set I bought on shapeways 2 years ago. works well to this day and with extensive running in, works pretty slow too.@@SMTMainline

[@Benthetrainkid]

I did purchase a 3D printed gear replacement for my ATSF U36B (although one broke as I tried to install it, and as I found out, I had to soak in warm water for the gear to fit in the gear's axle

[@czwij]

@@Benthetrainkid i reamed the hole out slightly to fit. good idea with the water...

[@andrewferguson5653]

Another great restoration, SMT! I agree, working on steam engines is a challenge!

[@MMRails]

Clever. Very clever. I watched this video earlier on my tv and had a funny comment but now I forget what I was going to say. Good fix as always.

[@Zebrails]

Wow... Impressive. You could title a new series: "Trains: Trash Or treasure?" John

[@jamescopeland6107]

Very hard to fix, but was worth it!!!!!!! One of my Cousin's gave me one of his Locomotives, which was Bachmann's Version of Norfolk and Western 611, although that too was made in Hong Kong, made of plastic, and had the same problem with the wheels. One of them even kept popping off while trying to run, so it's all a Scrap Model (Like they did with many broken Chassis'/Shells/etc. in the original Model Series of Thomas). I could never find Locomotives like you do, so it's a shame, because that one was a Collectible.

[@w.rustylane5650]

Serenity, we have a runner! Cheers from eastern TN

[@firestarspelt]

that is why i like the square axle centered ones and shapeways axle replacements work perfect and will never split since they arent that tight

[@NStransit8099]

Congrats on 100,000 subs!

[@fleetcore5516]

I think the sounds make it feel more realistic, great job !

[@FlyingScotsman-mu5oi]

Always a good day when you upload!

[@JessicaBarney-r8s]

That is so cool that you fixed that locomotive. I am really looking forward to seeing that locomotive in the update of the running all your ho scale steam locomotives. I also think it would be cool if you ran all your n scale locomotives.

[@Realohiorailroadproductions]

Great video! I learn something new from this channel everyday it seems.

[@DarkpawTheWolf]

This turned out to be a good restore. Something I'd really like to see was how you setup the tender to do the secondary electrical.

[@93gamrx]

This, I have a Bachmann Daylight with the exact same issues. I managed to straighten out the running gear but it's electrical pickup is outright nonsense. I know the motor is solid having cleaned the comutator and tested the chasis with no wheels on, it spins right up with no issue. Oddly, mine's follow wheels are wired for pickup to a black wire that goes no where (also odd, these wheels are metal all the way across and don't seem to isolate one side over another). Please do a pickup tender video! Would love to see how you set up the wheels

[@YourLocalRailfan]

Always a good day when smt uploads

[@RioGrande486]

The Daylight’s cursed cousin be like. Quite amazing that you have the talent of being able to fix these old locomotives right up. Great job!

[@ThatoneChocolateOnUrFYP]

It’s the moonlight 😂

[@SMTMainline]

@@ThatoneChocolateOnUrFYP That's perfect 😂 it shall be christened as such

[@richgreene7043]

Wonderful work. Thanks for sharing.

[@Quince828]

Luv having steam locomotives but stuff like this would drive me mad! You were brave to try Harrison.

[@charleswalsh9895]

I could never attempt your repairs. Great,!!

[@nathanburke24]

oh man, I can only imagine the amount of frustration you had with these loco's. These designs are a repair man's Nightmares.

[@briandonovan9560]

Love it! That certainly was a challenge. Cool looking 4-8-4, now for a set of AHM Rivarossi Canadien National heavyweight passenger cars.

[@DJE2025]

👍👍Another successful repair! Nice job, another loco for the layout 🚂🚂

[@ertransdiesel1860]

Greate knowledge and patience, very well done

[@modelmainline7278]

I remember when you picked that up! What an obscure locomotive

[@111greatbear3]

I honestly enjoy watching your videos and it's thanks to you I have some interest in getting some locomotives that ain't just European or English types

[@wowdad3055]

Harrison is a Big Win you got it to run on the track again and that's what counts. The sound give it character.

[@jordanstrains7267]

This was a rebuild and a very long one at that, the clicking is a problem but I think it adds sound to a loco that has no sound yk like a chuffing sound. The time you put into this engine was a lot after some time I would just put it off to the side for some time then go back to it and just repeat it.

[@garysprandel1817]

Hey nice sound system on that CN GS4. Harrison: sound system? Yes sound system, that's the ticket. 🙂 Considering Lionel's track record of jumping in and out of HO it's no surprise that Bachmann parts would switch interchangeably as IIRC Lionel's 70s forray into HO ended up with Bachmann when they bailed. Looks like Lionel tried to get a little extra mileage out of the GS4 from their AFT set by selling to the Canadian market in that fine tradition that gave us jade green PC mating worms and blue Conrail twin can opener 060 steam engines. And in return for the Peter Gabriel reference I'll return the favor with a Richard Hammond response to the driving rod incidents. Oh that's not gone well

[@SMTMainline]

I think Lionel was making their own HO models for a short time although I've also seen Rivarossi locomotives rebadged as Lionels. They can't seem to make their minds up on making HO products.

[@robby062]

That 4-8-4 is actually a Bachmann. Lionel basically re-branded other manufacturers HO stuff for the most part.

[@nrd515]

I used to do the tender umbilical to locomotive thing due to some of the models having just awfully bad designs on power pickup. I had one loco, I remember it was a Pacific, but I don't remember who made it, that jerked and sputtered badly. I added copper wipers to the tender wheels (Already split/insulated, I wonder why?) and it helped a lot, but it still couldn't be run slowly over switches without it stalling. I ended up taking one of my awful running diesels, removing the motor, and running another umbilical to the tender. I made a coupling rod and permently put them together, and it made the Pacific a decent runner. My best luck with steam locos were the N scale Atlas IHB 0-8-0's, and the HO 0-8-0's ran well too. They didn't pull worth anything, but they ran well. A couple of my HO steam locos ended up being put on display inside a park I made in the layout with a fence around them. The only thing that still worked was the headlights.

[@SMTMainline]

This is the first time I've ever added this to a locomotive but I'm impressed by the results. I might do so again for some locomotives similar to the ones you mentioned.

[@Petemonster62]

I have seen some old locomotives on display that have their headlights lit at night. You could connect the headlight to a streetlight circuit.

[@actorprosvintagetrains7217]

Awesome job u can fix every kind of train keep up the good work

[@BDJ_Trains]

Its funny you post this now, I just received the same locomotive but in a chessie system scheme, and the connecting rods did the exact same thing for me. Thank you so much this video will surely help!

[@darklordojeda]

Love the Peter Gabriel "Sledgehammer" reference.

[@leedooley502]

Nice job! I have 2 of these locomotives and with your tips I may try to repair them. I really appreciate your videos.

[@WinterroSP]

I use small pieces of dried wet whipes to get the glue to bind better, it works a bit like fiberglass. Due to the springiness of the material the not wet whipes it expands in the cavity and crack you want to glue.

[@SMTMainline]

I hadn't thought of doing that, thanks for the tip.

[@davidnewby6095]

have you tried sourcing replacement axels i know we across the pond can get them for our bachmann/mainline locos from the same time

[@SMTMainline]

I placed an order on some. I have no idea if they will actually work or not.

[@brianbergeson8918]

Lionel never made a CN GS4 in HO that I know of. They only made it in SP Daylight, American Freedom Train and WP. The linkage was notoriously bad as well. By the looks of it the previous owner tried to rebuild/fix it. Probably also needs a new drive gear as well as those gears from that era have pretty much cracked from age.

[@BricksbyWeston-qg7jd]

You inspired me to try model trains 🚂

[@schuey089]

Amazing job! Great fix!!

[@music100vid]

Amazing! Nice work!

[@paulbervid1610]

Harrison look at you an Ho Lionel Guru. Great work. That is what is on my layout. I use the lionel cars with Bachmann engines.

[@markwilliams2620]

"Well folks....today I'm going to reanimate this corpse I made out of assembled parts...but it's a 1980's Botchmann corpse so it has hands for feet". Keep up the good work. Dr. Frankenstein!

[@captandysir8670]

Saved again by your marvelous parts bin!

[@richardakajazzyamx9690]

Quite impressed you got that loco going with the damaged original axles! And bit late on this, but I've seen one guy on Shapeways by the name of James' Train Parts who sells upgraded replacement parts for the 4-8-4 Bachmann northern axles/gears. I've got a C.B.&Q. 4-8-4 I'll be trying to fix with said parts.

[@SMTMainline]

I should try those at some point although I've heard mixed things.

[@BlackPackLLC.]

The noise makes it sound like it's actually chugging as if it was a DCC locomotive with sound equipped

[@haasebahn]

I have two Bachman split-chassis locomotives. One of them is (was) in great cosmetic condition- the headlight worked. The other, it’s not so good cosmetic and mechanical wise, the drive rods are all locked, leading truck, pistons, and cab are long gone but the motor is very well alive- just some tweaking needs to be done to the chassis to make it work. Maybe I’ll try some things from this video.

[@CristiNeagu]

8:57 Luckily, you didn't have to employ a Sledgehammer to fix this loco.

[@SMTMainline]

"This will be my testimony"

[@David-yo5re]

Great job Harrison. The noise kinda sounds like steam chuff.

[@jeffreyeash9720]

Yet another successful operation from Dr Train may I ask what you do with all these locos you fix?

[@SMTMainline]

I keep a fair amount of them. Others I giveaway or sell off to my local hobby shop.

[@Trainguy.5771]

I’m trying to find the remote for my old polar express while watching this💀

[@DaylightMainline4449]

I use Lionel Bluetooth controller app it free!

[@yourfellowpancake6335]

I had one of those but the wire connecting the locomotive and tender was always loose

[@woohoofromtexasharris4814]

Got mine set up in living room. 😁❤️🇺🇸

[@SMTMainline]

Best of luck

[@F4productions4072]

@@DaylightMainline4449goofy add on a YT comment

[@rainierbagatsing1073]

Well I never thought to see that GS4 in a fictional paint scheme that being CN black

[@nathanbarger3449]

Be very careful with handling them buddy. I had one just like this in the S.P. daylight paint job. I took it out of the box to fix a cab handrail and I kid you not. The plastic that is used for the drive wheels crumbled apart like a cookie or chip. The only thing I have left is the metal motor frame and the body shell and tender.

[@SMTMainline]

You think think it was sitting in sunlight? I know these things can be fragile but that sounds worse than usual.

[@nathanbarger3449]

@@SMTMainline it very well could have been. Or it might have been exposed to other things as well. The guy I had bought it from was a very shady person I later found out.

[@poowg2657]

Paint Southern Pacific on the tender and that'll fix some of it. Cool video, thanks much.

[@chrisgoyette1846]

Good Video, Caught the Peter Gabriel Reference! Made me smile!

[@SMTMainline]

I'm a huge fan of his music so I thought that'd be funny.

[@taniswells4141]

hi harrison anyways that new tack layout your making you should turn into a wild west layout but anyways work hard and never give up and also you should make a custom train about you

[@altonstolfus6943]

Question, what power supply do you use that has the amp and volt gauge?

[@SMTMainline]

It's an MRC tech iii 9500 series.

[@robbmurphy8658]

SMT any chance you could do a video on feeder wire’s versus length of track you are running it seems like I am losing voltage on the far side of my layout and I am fairly new to the hobby thanks.

[@SMTMainline]

I'd check the rail joiners first. I hardly have any jumper wires on my layout

[@scottaworth3102]

I remember when you bought it i remember saying *now you have 3 daylights including the freedom train lol😂

[@SMTMainline]

I've got 7 of the darned things now. Two are boxed away and I ended up with another one in a lot from facebook. At least I've got another operational one now.

[@ThatTrainBoi]

Oh yeah, I also have a broken Nickel Plate Berkshire (765), which the wires in the tender to the engine got cut

[@cjdavis2684]

I had No doubt you would get the old girl running Harrison. I have pretty much come to believe if you can't get it running, then it's ready for the scrap parts or scrap bin well Done!

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks. I did fail at fixing that consolidation but it didn't go to waste as I wouldn't have been able to get this one running without its parts.

[@TheSharkKing45]

9:00 was that remark supposed to be a reference to the song Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel?

[@SMTMainline]

Yes it was

[@SMTMainline]

It is

[@Chaos42666]

A Lionel getting all it's power through tender contacts like an American Flyer, as for the noise, congrats it chuffs like an actual locomotive. It may not have a long life ahead of it, but it's got one.

[@SeanCox-ic3fm]

What a funny looking drive 😂 it looks like a boiler

[@041919501]

That was a challenge great job

[@Dipplers]

I finally know what’s wrong with my Bachman model

[@steveooievaar8618]

Bachmann never made a gs4 in Canadian National paint scheme. That engine is a repainted Southern Pacific Daylight locomotive. And the Lionel ones did have a serious problem with splitting axles.

[@stefanegger]

Wow, you never give up, huh? I guess the main problem is seen on 9:33, one of the wheels is not really round but uneven in its motion and thus the whole loco will wobble around and have the stalling problems you see in slow speed drive.

[@Parktonman]

Is there anything you can't fix ? Always amazing work. Prehistoric motors, who comes up with this stuff ?

[@SMTMainline]

Well I failed at fixing the 2-8-0 I got the parts from but at least it wasn't for nothing 🙂

[@Trainguy90406]

Are you going to the Albany great train extravaganza on the 3rd of December?

[@railfan475productions3]

I've got 2 Bachmann pancake drive diesels that had suffered cracked axles, nothing a little super glue couldn't fix. I might look into having some spares 3d printed.

[@daviddorrell8390]

Yes I've seen 00Bill fix these split axles with superglue a couple of times.

[@SMTMainline]

It's very important that they are cleaned with a degreaser beforehand. After being covered in oil for many years the gears don't have the bets surface to glue things back together. You can also use lifelike gears but they must be drilled out slightly to fit.

[@milissathreatt8014]

I recently got an Athearn Blue box for $20 USD and i need to know what couplers i need for it and also the light fixture keeps coming off.

[@ROBERTN-ut2il]

So in an alternative timeline.....SP got 20 GS4's in 1941 and a further 8 in 1942. CNR subsidiary GTW needed additional power due to wartime traffic and decided to piggyback on SP's second group with an even dozen machines. After WW2, they were transferred to CNR proper, converted to oil burners and used on the Canadian Steppe and in the Rockies. \ Which is how SP Daylights ended up in Canada

[@SMTMainline]

I wish CN had actually bought GS4s. Maybe Canada would have an equivalent to 4449.

[@lexluthermiester]

@SMTMainline Very good job there! It's kinda weird, but the noise it's now making somewhat sounds authentic. Or is that just the audio in the vid?

[@SMTMainline]

It actually sounds like that.

[@dbtech7914]

Nice! I didn't think you were going to get that one running. It looks a little like a split chassis Bachmann.

[@SMTMainline]

This one was much more of a gamble than what I usually work on.

[@Gfysimpletons]

Yeah, I have the Bachman and Lionel. For me it was a waste of money….they run, but all the gears are cracked, drive rods bound up so I cut most off, the wheels all slip on the shafts. Constantly derail. Bummer Edit…… 11:16 my man! 👍🏼

[@streetstylez96]

I dont mind the noise. Sounds more realistic in my opinion. All the clanking and such

[@bryanwhat2268]

That worked very well considering 😂

[@Photoline1]

Steam punk stealth loco. Another dead line donor engine to the rescue. (Cool Peter Gabriel reference, BTW.)