The 681 is a great turbine, nothing at all wrong with it. It runs great and has magnatraction. The star of the 1946 turbine is the really nice cast tender. This is the same tender that came with the 773. The 1946 has a completely different drive mechanism that doesn't lways run smooth and is very complicated to repair if it is not working correctly.-TM
I love the 1946 Turbines! Maybe I'll have one someday.. I have a Lionel 681 turbine from 1953 I guess.. that the delivery guy delivered to the wrong house!!! I was worried. LOL! My dad found it though luckily it was only a few houses down from my neighborhood.
@SouthernRR4501 Sorry I misspoke about the tender, It's the early Berks that had the nice cast tender similar to the 773. The early turbine though has a nice tender just not as nice as the cat one!-TM
@tmackinator Yeah I love the 681 turbine, mine runs like a fine pocket watch and will outpull my 736 Berk. For some reason my 736 Berk wants to bind up slightly at slow speeds, but when it runs faster the binding stops. Oh well they weren't perfect when they left the factory in the 50's i guess. Oh your fine techically your still right about the 671's tender as its cast in plastic. LOL! Have fun with your trains.
@SouthernRR4501 On the 736, only the rear drivers are powered by the motor, the other sets of drivers get powered by thre side rods. It's very common for the side rods to wear and cause the condition you describe. If you can get properly made replacemet side rods you will most likely correct the binding issue.-TM
@lionel153 Thanks for the comments. I agree, the green cars just look great! I custom painted a set of 2023 alcos to match the green cars also. It really looks good.-TM
Muy bueno el video, Tengo 4 turbinas ( 671, 681 y dos 2020), todas funcionan perfectamente, y además el generador de humo es muy bueno en todas ellas a diferencia de otros modelos como la 675,736,2055, que nunca sale una gran cantidad. Otra ventaja es que son muy estables en curva y muy parejas al subir y al bajar alguna cuesta.
@litvak54 The gear design,straight cut, will result in more gear noise than the worm type. The e unit return spring may be bad. Over time heat can take the temper out of the spring resulting in weak return action. Thanks for the nice comments.-TM
o one other thing i told you i have that 1946 2020 turbine set which is the bukb type is still has its first bulb in it that still works i did pick up a spare bulb for it on ebay there one seller that sells them for $6 with free shiping in the event if i have to ever change that blub do i lust lift the whole smoke houseing or is that trun plate up in front the only way becuase while i was serviceing the engine i try to turn it lose to see it and its kinda tight i dont think it ever been opened
@grizzleybearz282004 The front of the smoke bulb housing is removed by turning the cover in the direction indicated on the cover. It very well may be tight or stuck. The original smoke pellets were very corrosive. -TM
very nice collection tom i too have a 1946 smoke bulb turbine set from 1946 but mine is #2020 and i have a #681 turbine set from 1950 i like both but i think i like my 681 alittle for the fact that it smokes much better and has magnetraction
@grizzleybearz282004 Thanks for the nice comments Grizz. I like the smoke bulb engine as it is less common and older. They are all great trains to own.-TM
Thanks for the nice comments.-TM
tmackinator 1 day ago
Super video. My 681 with silver cab numbers was produced in 1950 or ' 51.
bwild61 2 days ago
The 681 is a great turbine, nothing at all wrong with it. It runs great and has magnatraction. The star of the 1946 turbine is the really nice cast tender. This is the same tender that came with the 773. The 1946 has a completely different drive mechanism that doesn't lways run smooth and is very complicated to repair if it is not working correctly.-TM
tmackinator 2 months ago
I love the 1946 Turbines! Maybe I'll have one someday.. I have a Lionel 681 turbine from 1953 I guess.. that the delivery guy delivered to the wrong house!!! I was worried. LOL! My dad found it though luckily it was only a few houses down from my neighborhood.
SouthernRR4501 2 months ago
@SouthernRR4501 Sorry I misspoke about the tender, It's the early Berks that had the nice cast tender similar to the 773. The early turbine though has a nice tender just not as nice as the cat one!-TM
tmackinator 2 months ago
@tmackinator Yeah I love the 681 turbine, mine runs like a fine pocket watch and will outpull my 736 Berk. For some reason my 736 Berk wants to bind up slightly at slow speeds, but when it runs faster the binding stops. Oh well they weren't perfect when they left the factory in the 50's i guess. Oh your fine techically your still right about the 671's tender as its cast in plastic. LOL! Have fun with your trains.
SouthernRR4501 2 months ago
@SouthernRR4501 On the 736, only the rear drivers are powered by the motor, the other sets of drivers get powered by thre side rods. It's very common for the side rods to wear and cause the condition you describe. If you can get properly made replacemet side rods you will most likely correct the binding issue.-TM
tmackinator 2 months ago
@tmackinator Thank you for your advice!
SouthernRR4501 2 months ago
Nice collection , They really look their best green pullmans in tow .,I have a 2020 with a 6020w tender and it it also a great runner to .
lionel153 3 months ago
@lionel153 Thanks for the comments. I agree, the green cars just look great! I custom painted a set of 2023 alcos to match the green cars also. It really looks good.-TM
tmackinator 3 months ago
Muy bueno el video, Tengo 4 turbinas ( 671, 681 y dos 2020), todas funcionan perfectamente, y además el generador de humo es muy bueno en todas ellas a diferencia de otros modelos como la 675,736,2055, que nunca sale una gran cantidad. Otra ventaja es que son muy estables en curva y muy parejas al subir y al bajar alguna cuesta.
Saludos desde Viña del Mar, Chile
Rodrigo
JGF1943 3 months ago
@JGF1943 Gracias Rodrigo, Me alegra saber de otros países. Me gusta las turbinas. Gracias por publicar la commnets muy bien en el video-TM
tmackinator 3 months ago
@litvak54 The gear design,straight cut, will result in more gear noise than the worm type. The e unit return spring may be bad. Over time heat can take the temper out of the spring resulting in weak return action. Thanks for the nice comments.-TM
tmackinator 4 months ago
o one other thing i told you i have that 1946 2020 turbine set which is the bukb type is still has its first bulb in it that still works i did pick up a spare bulb for it on ebay there one seller that sells them for $6 with free shiping in the event if i have to ever change that blub do i lust lift the whole smoke houseing or is that trun plate up in front the only way becuase while i was serviceing the engine i try to turn it lose to see it and its kinda tight i dont think it ever been opened
grizzleybearz282004 5 months ago
@grizzleybearz282004 The front of the smoke bulb housing is removed by turning the cover in the direction indicated on the cover. It very well may be tight or stuck. The original smoke pellets were very corrosive. -TM
tmackinator 5 months ago
very nice collection tom i too have a 1946 smoke bulb turbine set from 1946 but mine is #2020 and i have a #681 turbine set from 1950 i like both but i think i like my 681 alittle for the fact that it smokes much better and has magnetraction
grizzleybearz282004 5 months ago
@grizzleybearz282004 Thanks for the nice comments Grizz. I like the smoke bulb engine as it is less common and older. They are all great trains to own.-TM
tmackinator 5 months ago
@tmackinator they sure are
grizzleybearz282004 5 months ago
Thats some good info, I have a2020 from 1949 ...
lionel153 5 months ago
Thanks Tom, I love my 671.
chiconian49 5 months ago
Turbines FTW!!!!
sevenpointsixtwox54 5 months ago