lionel lockons connection

[newbie64]

My favorite boss of all time (15 years) gave me a 3 metal rail Lionel starter set, because I said I wanted what we had around the tree when I was young. the track is assembled and he sent a diagram of the hook up from track to transformer. the wire gets hot but I can't make it go. I'm not sure I have the lockon wires connected correctly, Is there a photo of this connection available anywhere.?

To start I pushed down on the lever part and pushed the black wire through number 2 and red through number 1, then clipped to bottom of the track. It should be working. I tried U and A and U and B at transformer end?

 Please help.

[ADCX Rob]

 Have a look through this excellent tutorial.  It will explain things from the set-up to start-up.

Start here for the basics.

Rob

[SleeperN06]

My transformer may not be the same as yours but the terminals are basically the same.

 

[lionelsoni]

It sounds like you've got a postwar set, not a modern set (which seems like a good choice to me).  I'm guessing you have tubular track (3 metal rails held together with 3 metal crossties) and something like a 1033 or 1044 transformer.

First try disconnecting the lockon from the track and turn up the transformer.  If the wires still get hot, the problem is in the lockon or how you connected the wires to it.  Otherwise it is the track.  If it's the track, try putting the lockon onto just one piece, then add more pieces until you have trouble.

The lockon probably has a wide metal part that fits onto the outside edge of an outside rail.  Then a narrower springy metal part grips the other side of the center rail.

Does your set include a lighted caboose or passenger car that you can put on the track for testing, before you try to run the locomotive?

It would help greatly in helping you for you to list the model numbers of your equipment--transformer, lockon, locomotive, etc.

[hrin]

 The 2 wires are not touching each other anywhere are they, at the transformer side or at the CTC lockon?

The track does not have tree tinsel laying across the rails?

Was the track cleaned with steel wool either by you or someone else? The small metal wool parts can cross the rails and cause a short.

One of the tracks could have the insulated middle rail I believe shorted, the little cardboard like piece between the bottom of the rail and the tie at the bottom could be worn.

If the wires are getting hot there is a problem somewhere.

Try taking the train and cars off the track and using U/A or U/B give the transformer some throttle. If the wires are still getting warm then there is a problem at the track or transformer.

If its OK check the underside of the train and be sure there is not something stuck in the powered wheels area like some tinsel or a screw or something.

Try just the engine on the track and see if it will go.

Take just 1 piece of track all by itself and put the lockon on it and put the trains powered wheels on there and see if it will now go. You could try a lighted car too if you have one of those.

If none of this works then please unplug the transformer and wait for an expert.

[newbie64]

Thanks so much for all of the information and technical support. I had the lockon accross all three rails instead of just the outside two! She's rollin' along now.

I was just looking for a cheap set for decoration, but it seems he gave me a collectors set. The caboose has an inside light, and the Engine has a light, and will smoke if I put the tabs he gave me in. I'm gonna try that tonight. It's way better than we had growin' up. I may have to keep it out even after the holidays......

Again, Thanks and Happy Holidays to all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hrin]

 Congrats, glad you got it going.

Please come back soon and tell us more about your train set.

Dont forget to snap some pics of it this holiday, may become a new tradition for you.

 

[laz 57]

NEWBIE,

  BIG CONGA to you!  Sounds like you are hooked on to this great hobby.  Enjoy IT"S A BLAST!!!!  Just watch out it is easy to get adicted.

Have fun,

laz57