Any Advice to Fixing PW Diesel Horns ?? (Lionel 2337)

[MickeyDemian]

Merry Xmas Everyone:

  In attempting to fix the diesel horn on my PW Lionwel 2337 for my grandson, I went out and purchased a new horn.  Soldered it into place and it activated every time  when I touched the wire to the screw on the top of the whistle relay.  Now the relay activates but the contacts don't always create enough current (it clicks)  to activate the horn.  Should one bend the contacts to improve connectivity?  Sand down the contacts to clean them up?   Is there any maintenance to the relay -lubricate-clean??  What has been your experience in ensuring a good diesel horn?  Is it even possible?  Thanks for sharing your experience and input.

                                             Mickey Demian

[lionelsoni]

First verify that the contacts are the problem by touching them with your finger when the relay closes but the horn fails to blow.  If you can get it to blow by nudging the contacts, then you could try cleaning with very fine sandpaper for a very short time.

The contacts are designed to rub slightly against each other when the relay closes, to keep themselves clean.  So further cleaning should not be needed as the locomotive is used.  In fact, it may clean itself in the first place with use without any intervention by you at all.

[rtraincollector]

I'm curious as most post war horns took a battery also. and with out the clicking is what you use to get. so my question is did you over look putting a battery in it. is it a postwar horn you bought or a new type horn? as it may take a different type hook up than running thru the horn relay. What is the engine number to this engine? all questions so we can get a good idea on how to better help you. By the way you came to the right place you have guys here that are retired train repairmen to novice to ones now doing train repairs you have a lot of know how here on this forum

[Mr. S.]

My experience has been a slight adjustment of the relay tab can help...I wouldn't sand those contacts except as a last resort (if they are totally black or burned).  I usually put a little TV tuner cleaner on a piece of paper, hold the contacts together gently and pull the paper between them several times to clean the contact points.  If you have to sand them, easy does it of course.

That bottom arm of the relay mechanism is pretty delicate, so less is more when it comes to adjustment.

 

Good luck!

[MickeyDemian]

Thanks for oyur response:

   Yes, this horn takes a d size battery and I did place one in the engine.  The engine # is a PW Lionel 2337 Wabash.  I think i will try to lightly touch up the contacts on the horn relay.  Thank you.

                                           Mickey Demian