Lionel ZW question.

[HANSRUDEL]

I have a layout with three large mainline loops.  Two of the loops I operate with a big Lionel ZW and it operates just fine.  My other loop I use a new Lionel CW-80.  My problem is that my new 3rd rail steam engine, my MTH turbine, or any of my Williams diesels with sound, the horn will not work with the ZW transformer.  I can place any of my modern engines on the loop with the CW-80 and the bell & horn works fine.  The CW-80 does have separate buttons for bell & whistle. When I activate the horn switch on the ZW it does make the bell work on the fore mentioned locomotives.   Is there something that I can do?  

[Firelock76]

Herr Oberstleutnant Rudel:

I had the same problem with a KW when I tried to run modern locomotives, i.e. the bell feature worked when the whistle lever was turned.  Try reversing the leads to the track on the transformer's power points and see if that works, it worked with my KW.

Bear in mind an old original ZW isn't going to be 100% compatable with the new engines anyway.  It'll run them, but to get the best out of them you'll need a modern transformer.  With old vintage O gauge trains, no problems.

[lionelsoni]

I would expect the ZW to blow the whistle with a U terminal connected to the outside rails and a terminal other than U connected to the center rail.

[TrainLarry]

To operate the sounds with the ZW, you will need a Railsounds Activation button. The transformer whistle control will operate the whistle (or horn) and the Railsounds button will operate the bell, or vice versa, depending on how you wire the transformer and button to the track.

Larry

[HANSRUDEL]

Thanks for the information.  I believe I will order the sound activation button. 

[ezmike]

The Sound Activation button, #6-5906, is not available from Lionel. They are available through other sources. Try an ebay search. I have 4 but learned that the diodes (I believe that's what they are called) deteriorate over time and sometimes do not drop the "current" low enough to activate the whistle/bell/horn every time or at all. If I got the last sentence wrong I'm sure one of the more knowledgeable on this forum will correct me.

Whether or not you invest in one of the modern power sources is your decision.

Mike

[rtraincollector]

K-line put out a bell & horn/whistle piece with a button for each thing bell or horn/whistle I have one somewhere but not parting with but may be what you need as I had a problem with some Williams horn / bell operation some time back and this cured it.

[BigAl 956]

If the ZW is wired properly U needs to go to the outer common rail. However this will only allow you to blow the whistle. If you have a modern era locomotive with a bell you can reverse wire in  a sound button.