[bigtrucker2007]

my lionel 242 is not working right. It will go half way around the track then it stops and the safty switch trips on my transformer. What is going on? my other trains work fine on the same track. please help

 

[tjcruiser]

Could be a few things. Sounds like something is causing a short circuit. Is your auto-reverse E-unit working OK? Have you recently inspected and cleaned off any greasy buildup on the motor brushes and the little gaps between the pickup points on the armature? My gut say to try a good motor cleaning first, then see if problems persist.

What specific 2-4-2 loco?

 

[Stillakid]

By 242, you mean a "Scout #242" correct? Greenbergs says they cannot be operated on "Super O Track" There's also a possible broken Drum Contact.
But then again, I'm a "Newbie" too!

 

[tjcruiser]

Ahh ... I wasn't thinking ... probably #242 (which IS a 2-4-2), as you suggest.

Does it always stop at exactly the same spot on your track layout? If so, that might be telling about how the roller, etc. are hitting some flaw in the track, there.

The #242 has a reversing "pawl" built into the motor, itself, rather than the conventional E-Unit found on most Lionel locos. Does your loco reverse OK (when you dial down / dial up power)?

Greenberg says (for similar Scout motors):

"If loco stops wigh headlight on ... This is due to poor contact between the armature and the rest of the circuit. Check for the following conditions: (a) Dirty or burned drum springs, (b) drum springs making poor contact with the top and bottom contact strips, (c) brush jammed in brush tube, (d) dirty or distorted drum inserts."

Hope some of that helps!

TJ