Fixing Lionel Magnetraction

Warning, this discusses a powerful magnetic device. It MUST not be used around electronic devices, medical pacemakers or similar. When purchasing this device read ALL safety instructions. This is also for older magnets, not for many of the modern "permanent" rare earth magnets.

I have many Lionel engines with Magnetraction. The problem is many of them are not functioning well with the magnetraction. I looked for various things to fix this then I came across a youtube video.

I was watching a James May Re-assembler video on OO gauge trains. About 7:00 minutes into the video he uses a re-magnetizer. I realize that the Magnetraction magnets are not much bigger than the various OO motor magnets. The search was on to find this re-magnetizer.

Many Lionel steamers with Magnetraction have a magnet in the frame by one of the wheels. On the Hudsons it is near the rear wheels. On Diesels they magnet is in the axle, you can see a bigger axle with magnetraction.

I tracked down this tool and found it was made by Ronald Dodd in the U.K. I found his video explaining the Magnetizer Operation. I tracked down his web site and emailed him. After some information I ordered a Ronald Dodd Magnetizer.

For use in some cases with the Lionel parts I needed 2.5" between the magnets to fit the frame with wheel or the diesel wheel set in the magnetizer. I made a new base to set the magnets 2.5" apart. I had to lengthen the wires for the North Magnet.

When I used the magnetizer with the rear wheels on, over the rear wheel it seemed to work, but I think it works better if in direct contact with the magnet. This picture shows the engine ready for re-magnetizing of the magnetraction.

It worked! How do I know it worked vs. the original magnetism? First attempt I put the frame in the wrong way and it reversed the field in the magnet. I then put it in correctly and gave it 6 1 second bursts. I am not studied in this field, Ronald mentions only a couple of hits are needed. More doesn't hurt was my opinion.

How much better is it? Since magnetism is hard to measure I came up with using the compass to tell me. I slowly moved the compass toward the magnet until it made the compass point to the magnet. The Magnet was oriented 90 degrees from magnetic N-S so it was a 90 degree pointer change. Before re-magnetizing the compass was about 4" away when the pointer switched. After re-magnetizing it was 8" away. 2x the distance. Looking through the magnetism equations, this is 4x the strength or more than before.

One other thing, if the steel bars are not close enough or in contact with the magnetic source they will center themselves in the electromagnet and little will be done.

You may have to do some level of dis-assembly. Direct contact with the magnet or steel plate directly contacting the magnet is best. Non magnetic or less magnetic material inline may significantly reduce the effectiveness of the field. The rear wheel on my steamer was loose and fell off on it's own. In this case disassembly was easy. I added a little vibra-tite compound to assure it stays on after assembly.

Wheel disassembly may not be needed if you can center the bars over the magnet and have iron of steel shims behind the wheels to eliminate the air gap and prevent twisting the wheel on the axle. I am not a magnetism expert so I don't know how the wheel surface may effect the magnetizing. The linkage at least would need to be removed for best contact with the wheel. Each situation may need to be tested.

Lionel postwar Diesel engines have the magnetraction in the axles. They may be easier to do. I will see.

It is possible to re-magnetize Magnetraction?, Yes this device can do it. Maybe not as easy as the factory device. It may take a little work to get your magnetraction working fully again.

Re-magnetizing Lionel Magnetraction.