Lionel 6-28649 Polar Express

[bill4227]

 

I run the older post WWII Lionel trains. A friend asked me to look at his Lionel 6-28649 Polar Express as it will not run. I found that the TIP31C and TIP32C transistors on the control board have burnt up. I have ordered the parts from DigiKey and will replace them when they arrive. Has Lionel had problems with the control boards? What other problem cause the transisters to burn up?

My question, will this engine run on the older ZW transformwers for testing purposes?

[ADCX Rob]

bill4227

 

I run the older post WWII Lionel trains. A friend asked me to look at his Lionel 6-28649 Polar Express as it will not run. I found that the TIP31C and TIP32C transistors on the control board have burnt up. I have ordered the parts from DigiKey and will replace them when they arrive. Has Lionel had problems with the control boards?

 

Yes.

bill4227

What other problem cause the transisters to burn up?

Overloading/stalling the can motor is the primary cause.  On some steamers this is exasperated by Lionel having wired the smoke unit to work only in F or F & R, not neutral.  In addition to the motor load, the full current of the heating element runs through the reverse unit components too.

bill4227

My question, will this engine run on the older ZW transformwers for testing purposes?

Yes, perfectly.

Rob

 

[Texas Pete]

ADCX Rob

(re - Polar Express loco reverse board burnout)

Overloading/stalling the can motor is the primary cause.  On some steamers this is exasperated,,,

Thank you Norm Crosby!   All kidding aside, Rob, hope you don't mind me pointing out that the word you were wanting to use is "exacerbated." I agree that it can be exasperating when our trains break down.

As to the repair, perhaps a whole replacement board for the engine in the 6-31960 set is in order if it can be made to work.  I've run the spit out of mine with nary a lick of trouble.

Pete

 

[ADCX Rob]

 You are right on the word... I typed it fast figuring spell check would tell me it's wrong, but it didn't, much to my surprise, I never looked at it again!.