Have a 2046W tender that did not work. Cleaned it up, replaced brushes, springs, etc and boom it works .... sorta. When tested it works great when not moving, works great when hooked up to a Hudson 2046 locomotive when that locomotive is not moving. But when I try to blow the whistle when the locomotive is moving, either forward or backwards, it will not work. I hooked a smaller engine to the tender, a 2026, the whistle worked but was barely audible.
I am a novice at this.....just learning.....any advice would be welcome. Thanks in advance.
Did you lube the armature bearings? There are two bearings, one you can see and one that is under the armature. Use a bent paper clip or toothpick with a drop of oil to lube the bearing under the armature. Give the bearing 3 drops of oil. Use motor oil only. I use 5W-20. A quart of motor oil is a life time supply. I use motor oil for everything including gears. You probably need to lube your locos. If it turns, slides, or is a gear, put some oil on it. I have used motor oil for 50 years with good results. It doesn't get gummy or dry out.
If the whistle blows when the tender is still, but not when it is moving, I suspect that you have an electrical issue. I would start by carefully cleaning the rollers and the wheels. I use a knife to scrape away the thick layers of crud, following by mineral spirits on a qtip. The problem could be contact between the rollers and the axles on which they turn. I try to get a little contact cleaner in there by putting a few drops at each end, between the roller and it's holder. But sometimes the only way to get that area clean is to remove the roller and run a pipe cleaner wet with mineral spirits through the hole. And don't forget to polish the roller axle. The problem could be bad or missing pressure springs for the rollers. Are they there, and still springy?The problem could be poor contact between the tops of the trucks and the metal tender frame. That area could need cleaning. Just do one thing at a time until the problem goes away.
Thanks for the advice......will take it and see what happens. Sure appreciate it guys.....
Regarding lubrication: I don't think there is concensus that every thing that moves should be lubricated. I cannot count how many repairs I've done where the root problem was somebody either using the wrong lubricant, or putting lubricant where it does not belong.
CW, my experience with many locos and other things is either no lubricant or the wrong stuff. I bought a 736 loco some years ago and the motor wouldn't turn. Had white lithium grease on the gears. Oiled it up good with motor oil, and it now works fine. I don't think I even removed the lithium grease.
Had a 2333 with the gearboxes filled with white lithium grease that had turned to concrete. In this case, I removed almost all of the lithium grease and oiled the loco with motor oil: 5W-20. Fixed the problem quite well.
rivesm.... on both tender trucks look at rollers push on them as they have a spring if are very weak then when engine is moving they do not keep a good contact with the third rail.
the cure is to replace both roller springs is not an easy job so I would suggest finding a good local lionel repair shop they can do this for you.
hope this helps you enjoy some good old post war trains again.
Did you clean and burnish the relay contacts?
What needs to be known is if the whistle relay is picking up when the locomotive and tender are running. Leave the shell off the tender and look at the relay as you push the whistle button. If it does not pick up, that is your problem. If it does pick up properly, then further work on the motor may be needed.
You can also push the tender by hand as you press the whistle button so you can see the relay contacts.
Larry
All....thanks so much.
cwburfle - in process of cleaning as you described, at least the first step.
cwburfle & CB&Q....suspect that the springs could stand to be replaced. Will try to examine as they roll (if that can be done). If in the end the springs need to be replaced I most certainly take to someone who has done this. Just curious, would one consider the purchase of NOS trucks if that turns out to be the problem
TrainLarry - No I did not clean the relay (did clean everything else). As the unit worked great while not moving ..... I did not think that would be the problem. That said, I think your advice is to move the unit by hand and see if the relay picks up. I appreciate the advice and will do so.
Again....thanks to each of you. I wanted you to know I got your feedback and will see where I get......again....thanks...
If there is no load on the transformer (like some lighted passenger cars), the whistle relay may not pick up. I have tried it without a load, the relay did not pick up.
The problem could be that the insulation on the wires to the rollers has gotten hard preventing the rollers from moving freely. Or, if the wire was replaced and super flex wire was not used, the rollers may not move freely.
David1005 The problem could be that the insulation on the wires to the rollers has gotten hard preventing the rollers from moving freely. Or, if the wire was replaced and super flex wire was not used, the rollers may not move freely.
??? how does the wire to the roller prevent the rollers from turning they don't touch each other. The wire goes to the Roller Brace not directly to the roller
If the wire got hard from age it could get hard/brittle and pieces could break off from it and maybe short preventing it from working.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
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Stiff wire wouldn't stop the rollers from turning. Stiff wire might inhibit free motion of the roller bracket, adversely affecting the roller's contact with the center rail.
Wires are in good shape and not impeding the trucks. Thanks for insight.
Cleaned the rollers, trucks and the wheels of the unit to ensure a good ground. Then cleaned the track.
Works like a champ. Thanks to all for your help.
Thank you for posting your results. All too often, people request assistance, and never post the outcome.
cwburfle,
Thank you for thanking me for thanking you.
Seriously....so much appreciate the help....I will be back as I continue to resurrect a postwar set built first by my father.
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