tmcc engine trouble in conventional mode

[cnjcomp]

I'm trying to run a new Lionel Berkshire tmcc engine in conventional mode using an old ZW transformer. Direction control works fine, Railsounds seem fine. My problem is when I blow the whistle. The train stops and shifts into neutral. Any suggestions as to how to fix the problem. Thanks CNJCOMP.

[Anonymous]

The disk rectifiers in your old ZW aren't in the greatest shape. WHen you hit the button to blow the whistle the voltage drop is both sharp and deep enough to trip the electronic E-unit. If you have access to a sound activation button, wire it up between the transformer outputs and the track. Test it in both polarity modes to make sure both the whistle and bell functions are working properly. If this "fixes" the problem, you may want to consider getting a pair of these external switches to use for modern era loco's and reseve the use of the transformer mounted switch for use with PW loco's. You can replace the disk rectifiers with newer ones or even get a silicon diodes but this would involve tearing the ZW down and working on it's guts.

[cnjcomp]

Thanks for the info. I'll try to find the lionel button to try it out.