This is my first post, so I hope this is appropriate--if not, my apologies.\
I purchased a Lionel starter set for my kids a few years ago. I have been adding cars/accessories every year at Xmas. This year I ordered a Lionel Candy Cane Dumping Car, together with Fastrack Operating Track (#6-12045), however, I cannot get it to work. Before I pursue the defective product route, I am looking for suggestions. The instructions that came with the dumping car refer to a non-Fastrack operating section of track and suggest using that item with Fastrack connectors if you are using Fastrack. I had assumed that the dumping car instructions preceded the release of the Fastrack Operating Track, and that the Fastrack Operating Track should work fine.
Any thoughts or suggestions on this issue would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Bob Nelson
The transformer is the basic 40 watt one that comes with a $250 introductory set--I looked and it doesn't seem to have any other markings on it. The transformer is wired to a Fastrack power section that was pre-wired. The power section is immediately adjacent to the operating track section.
It sounds like you may suspicious that there is insufficient power to operate the car. If so, I would appreciate any recommendations. I am on the verge of getting into this more seriously and am looking for any little nudge to get me over the edge. ;-) Any excuse I have to upgrade components is welcome!
I just came across this post and I have exactly the same transformer setup and the same problem, however I'm not pleased with the range of the electromagnet, even at full power it wont trigger the operating stud unless its directly overhead. Frankly its made me suspicious of buying any more Lionel operating cars unless perhaps the old tubular track electromagnets work better. In my view the magnet is the main problem, its too small and doesnt generate a decent sized field.
I'd be very interested to hear any more on this topic and if Alan found a solution.
Thor,
I'ts supposed to be a test of your engineer's skills to stop the car directly over the magnet.
Even with the postwar types, one had to center the car over the magnet with relatively little margin for error.
For what it's worth, I have seen folks hold down the button that activates the magnet and run their dump car over the activation-track without actually stopping. On the pw stuff, which is all I have experience with, this method works, sometimes with spectacular results.
In my experience, however, the postwar electromagnetic tracks, such as the UCS, had magnets that would pull a screwdriver out of your hand if you got directly overhead. Maybe the new ones aren't as powerful.
To expand on this thought about modern electromagnets possibly being less powerful, let me say that I have recently purchased a modern replacement for the electromagnet on my 282 Gantry Crane. The new magnet seems to be as powerful as the old one, but requires a higher operating voltage -- maybe as much as 4 volts -- to produce the same magnetic pull. Your mileage may vary.
In my door layout thread several posts back I showed a layout that I just made for my nephews. I used 3 tubular 027 UCS and one postwar one. When placing a small screwdriver over them about a 1/2' inch or so away from the button, the screwdriver will be quickly pulled down to the magnet at full voltage.
I have found these newer UCS operate just as strongly as the postwar. How well the controller buttons hold up is another story. On my perm O gauge tubular layout I had to replace all the Chionel controllers with Postwar ones.
Mike S.
Lionel collector, stuck in an N scaler's modelling space.
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