Lionel's new 0-8-0 locomotive question.

[nwo4rf]

I got for christmas a Lionel Pennsey Flyer train set with the 0-8-0 locomotive and air whistle tender. My problem is I can't get the whistle to blow. I am using post war KW and ZW transformers on my layout. I called Lionel and they sent me another tender But it has the same problem. Are the new air whistles not compatible with old transformers?

[willpick]

Do you have other air whistle tenders? Do they work like they are supposed to?. Have you tried using the CW-80 from the set to blow the whistle?. As far as I know, you should not have any problem using a KW or ZW that will run a PW air whistle to run modern air whistles.

 

HTH---

[sulafool]

I've noticed this with several modern locos, not just the 0-8-0. They do seem to work with cw80s, but not postwar transformers,even those with solid state diodes instead of the disc style rectifier. Can't explain it, tho...

My solution has been to use the 5906 sound activation button(s) with pw transformers instead of the built in controls. They work with old and new locos (so far).

[phillyreading]

I am not an electronics expert but the older post war ZW's and KW's have the old rectifier chips that might be failing or the new whistling tender takes a differant kind of voltage to work the whistle. Also the new tender may have a circuit board inside it and it won't recognize the signal from the post war transformers.

The older style tenders have a solenoid in them to recognize the signal from the post war ZW or KW. The new tenders have electronic circuit boards in them, which may take less voltage to work, and or may send your engine into higher speed when using a post war transformer's whistle button.

When you buy new stuff you need to use the new transformer with it. Probally nothing wrong with your post war transformers.

Lee F.

[nwo4rf]

I have MTH, Williams, K-Line, and new Lionel. All work fine with the KW and ZW transformers. My post/pre war locos work fine too. This is the only one that is having problems. I have not tried the transformer that came with the set to see if that works. I guess I'll convert it over to one of the older air whistle with the solenoid.

[coaldust2026]

Hi,

I would try reversing the wires from your postwar transformers to the track.  This works with my 1033.