It's been a bad day....

[Anonymous]

Hey guys, i'm a lurker, but i have a question that i couldn't find by searching so i'll just make a post.

So today, my newly aquired 1952 736 berkshire came in the mail.. i knew by the pictures that the paint was in great shape. It arrived and the seller had packaged it excellant. However, not good enough. upon unwrapping, i see that the whole front of the cowcatcher has broken off, it was very fresh, and the front pilot wheels were broke. I cryed myself to sleep.

So this morning i set it on the track to run it and test the whistling tender, and it is running great, and about half way through the day, my KW transformer goes crazy. The whistling knob has "stuck". But it's not pyhscially stuck. It just keeps sending the DC voltage for the whistling tender. I took apart the case, and there's nothing jammed. I just can't figure out if there is a stuck relay or where i might find it.

Does anyone know how to fix this?

[Roger Bielen]

Welcome to the forum brveagle!

I'm not familiar with the KW but stick in here, eventually some member will have an answer for you. As for the damaged engine, have you contacted the seller to see if he will do anything about the damage?

[Roger Bielen]

Welcome to the forum brveagle!

I'm not familiar with the KW but stick in here, eventually some member will have an answer for you. As for the damaged engine, have you contacted the seller to see if he will do anything about the damage?

[ChiefEagles]

Sounds like something is shorting to the rectifier and making it send constant voltage. You can remove it and replace it with a Radio Shack one. I know how to take a KW down but hard to expalin what you should look for. Maybe Leonard, Bob Nelson or some of the others can guilde you through it. You didn't buy your engine thorugh the guy I just posted about did you?

[EIS2]

Are you sure the KW is putting the DC voltage on the track? You might have a stuck relay in the tender.

EIS

[Anonymous]

Well, EIS2 is correct. After taking apart the KW, and cleaning all the contact points, the tender still went off like crazy. So i took that apart, and the relay had caught, causing the contacts to be closed.

And with the berkshire, i contacted UPS, and they would refund my money, but they'd also take the berkshire. The engine and tender are in such amazing shape, that i'm gonna just look for a replacement cowcatcher on ebay.

Thanks for your help you guys

[waltersrails]

sorry to hear that.

[Roger Bielen]

You'd probably have better success in finding parts by checking out the parts dealers advertising in CTT.

[1688torpedo]

Hello brveagle- The Train Tender in Pittsford,NY should have a replacement pilot for your Berk. Go to their website and check their listings or call Jeff there & ask him. Hope this helps.

[jimhaleyscomet]

UPS is probably looking for a return engine (ANY engine). Hint Hint. That way you could have money for the repair.

Jim H

[dwiemer]

I bought a FM trainmaster with dummy set and UPS was the shipper. The dummy engine had a broken truck and UPS picked it up and gave me the original purchase with shipping, but took the engines. I would have kept them as Williams said the replacement would be less than $50., but the trucks were on backorder. I wonder what UPS does with this damaged merchandise?
Anyway, as to your case, Check Olsen's Toy Train Parts and see what a new cowcatcher will cost. Then you will be able to decide as to the fix.
Dennis

[Locomotive681]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dwiemer

I bought a FM trainmaster with dummy set and UPS was the shipper. The dummy engine had a broken truck and UPS picked it up and gave me the original purchase with shipping, but took the engines. I would have kept them as Williams said the replacement would be less than $50., but the trucks were on backorder. I wonder what UPS does with this damaged merchandise?
Anyway, as to your case, Check Olsen's Toy Train Parts and see what a new cowcatcher will cost. Then you will be able to decide as to the fix.
Dennis

Why would ups take the engines that is so stupid what do tey need it for anyways proof it got dameged.I would be upset if I had give up my engines.UPS is stupid[:(!][:(!][:(!][soapbox]

[MTsteamfan]

QUOTE: Why would ups take the engines that is so stupid what do tey need it for anyways proof it got dameged.I would be upset if I had give up my engines.UPS is stupid

No they're not. If they are going to give you money for the damaged item, why should you get to keep the item too? There are too many people who would claim something was damaged beyond repair, take the money from UPS, and then repair the item for little or nothing. Sad but true.

[Anonymous]

I'd guess UPS might well have sell-offs of damaged goods - I do know that some manufacturers have, in the past, sold returned locos and cars at knock-down prices either through factory shops or trade stands at shows. I'm surprised they don't have an option of claiming the cost of repairs back though - if they took a photo of the damage to prove that you have a legit claim, then asked you to send them a copy of the repair invoice, it would probably avoid potential problems with people claiming the full cost and then fixing the damage for little or nothing.

[Locomotive681]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Railroading_Brit

I'd guess UPS might well have sell-offs of damaged goods - I do know that some manufacturers have, in the past, sold returned locos and cars at knock-down prices either through factory shops or trade stands at shows. I'm surprised they don't have an option of claiming the cost of repairs back though - if they took a photo of the damage to prove that you have a legit claim, then asked you to send them a copy of the repair invoice, it would probably avoid potential problems with people claiming the full cost and then fixing the damage for little or nothing.

Very good idea[;)]