New Trains, Maintenance Questions?

[Anonymous]

From an "old schooler",  I have seen alot of really nice looking NEW Lionel and MTH engines around and have questions if anyone would like to reply.

Looking inside these units I see circuit boards and the such,.. which scare me to death.  Are these units fairly easy to trouble shoot and repair?  Does one need special tools/analyzers to trouble shoot?  And are there repair manuls for one to purchase, like the ole Greenburg manual, for NEW units?  Parts avaliablty??

Last question,  What has been the most common failure in the NEWER type engines?

"Pre and Post War",  Granpa

 

[csxt30]

I have had only minimal problems & some guys have had a lot of problems. Taking them back to the dealer you got it from helps or call the manufacturer. I picked up a copy of R.D. Teal's repair book, " Modern Toy Train Repair Manual " It will help you somewhat in maybe fixing a few things yourself. This is put out by CTT or Kalmback. I did get mine off of E-bay, but it 's available through book stores & hobby shops & probably CTT.

Thanks, John 

[chuck]

From an "old schooler",  I have seen alot of really nice looking NEW Lionel and MTH engines around and have questions if anyone would like to reply.

Looking inside these units I see circuit boards and the such,.. which scare me to death.  Are these units fairly easy to trouble shoot and repair?

Not exactly.  Dick Teal did a book on Modern Toy Train Repair, best shot at fixing these yourself is to get a hold of a copy. 

Does one need special tools/analyzers to trouble shoot?

No, but it does help, particualrly for PS-2 loco's.  MTH has a "test" bench device to diagnose most hardware issues. 

And are there repair manuls for one to purchase, like the ole Greenburg manual, for NEW units?

Book mentioned above.  Both Lionel and MTH have part's diagrams for some of their newer equipment.  Coverage is kind of spotty though.  These can be found on thier respecctive web sites under Customer Service or Parts 

Parts avaliablty??

Sometimes

Last question,  What has been the most common failure in the NEWER type engines?

"Pre and Post War",  Granpa

MTH, battery issues or software being scrambled.  Lionel, improper removal of flux from boards causing odd electrical behavior and exploding Odyssey magnets used in speed control equipped loco's. 

If you use modern power supplies with these engines and have adequate fast acting breakers and properly installed TSP (transient voltage spike protection) the new engines perform pretty well and are less prone to failure.  Worst case is to run these unprotected with PW supples, particularly lwer end PW power supplies.  These units use thermal circuit breakers that usually won't cut out until the unit's toast. 

[RR Redneck]

I havn't really have any problems from any of my new locomotives.

[johnandjulie13]

Chuck:

What is this "Test Bench" device that you speak.  I have not seen anything in a MTH catalog or on their website regarding this product.  Is it still available?  I would love to get one.

Regards,

John O

[Buckeye Riveter]

I have almost all "newer" engines, and yes there have been some problems, but then again my "older" Lionel has seen the shop, too.   About ten years ago it needed a new motor.  Easy and cheap.

My worst problem was with a K-Line Mikado with TMCC and RS.  I installed a K-Line cruise control kit and it ran great, but 6 months later, it wouldn't run.  Sent it in for repairs and now if runs perfect.  Repair cost and shipping < $50.  Some board blew up.

A year ago for Christmas, I received a Lionel GP30 purchased from an authorized dealer.  Less then three weeks of running and it would only run at one speed, very fast.  Sent it to Lionel with my receipts, warranty, etc and in less than two weeks it was on the layout running perfect.  Still is running perfect. Shipping one way was my only cost.

Now for an LGB story.  My 10 year old out of warranty LGB engine died.  It would not run on the track or when connected directly to the power pack. Motor was shot.  Dealer sent the engine to LGB for repair.  Engine returned in about 5 weeks, but it wasn't the engine I sent them.  They sent me their newer model of the engine that had been reconditioned.  This last weekend it pulled a string of cars around the garden in 19 degree temperatures, chuffing as the wheels turned, blowing the whistle and ringing the bell.  Total cost with shipping < $100.  A new engine costs somewhere between $700 and $900. 

As for Bachman G scale engines, every single motorized unit that I own has been sent back except a small handcar.  The trolleys and the engine and both been back.  I will not purchase another Bachman G Scale product because even though they replace them for a service fee of  $25, the shipping makes the cost nearer to $50.

In summary, out of the twelve newer O Gauge engines, two have had repairs and one of those was under warranty.  

[lionelsoni]

It is not difficult to remove the new electronics, either before or after it fails, and replace it with a rectifier and an e-unit.

[chuck]

The testor is available to authorized MTH service centers (aka techs that have been trained on how to repair MTH equipment) and it isn't exactly cheap but it does save tech's time in diagnosing problems.  BTW, an engine board can still be bad and pass the tester because of computer related issues the tester doesn't test (aka the ability to properly store a locomotive data set).  You need to keep a DCS set up and a computer with high speed internet access handy to upload/download the PS-2 sound/control files as well.  Unless you own a lot of PS-2 equipment or want to become an MTH authorized service center stick with Dick Teal's book and take anything really hosed into a service center.

[johnandjulie13]

Chuck:

Thanks for the clarification.  I will try to track down a copy of that book.

Regards,

John O

[fifedog]

granpa!  Oh how we've missed you!  Got some money for us?

The main trouble with the new-fangled engines is the batteries.  They just lose something during their time on the slow boat from China.  Replace them with rechargeable NiCads and that should cover most of the problems (not all).  A lot of hobby shops have repair help on staff that understand the new tech.  I can appreciate the "old school" stuff, but it is like running a new Cadillac STS next to a Model T...

[Anonymous]

First off, I would like to "thank everybody" with their replies.  

Now that I am retired,.. and visiting all the LHS's, I would really like to come up to the times.  But as I have always done in the past, is try to educate myself first, and then dive in.  I look at circuit boards and wonder, what do those things do?  Software/Hardware sequences, sound, remote control,etc,etc..it looks like I won't be bored!!

Thanks again good people, Granpa is off to be transformed!!  

ps,.....If Granma gets mad,...it's your fault!!

[jimhaleyscomet]

It is not difficult to remove the new electronics, either before or after it fails, and replace it with a rectifier and an e-unit.

As usual....Bob is right on with this comment!  

Jim H