Fix, do conversion or nice paperweight for 4-6-4 Hudson Steamer

[lionelnut]

I have a 6-18082 New York Central 4-6-4 Steam loco and tender with tmcc.  It was always run with a post war 275 watt zw and no TVs.  (Never knew I needed them)  It stopped working a couple of years ago.  Took it to a Lionel service guy to see if it could be fixed and he could not seem to find the problem.  He suggested sending it to another guy or lionel to have repaired (it is long out of warranty).  This is the only modern engine I own everything else is post war.  My questions are, is there anyone out there who can really fix this stuff?  Is it worth it from a cost stand point or is it easy enough to convert to conventional use with a few modifications?  Is it something I should keep parked for looks and enjoy my post war stuff? 

 

I would be happy to just having it run conventionally, with the smoker working and the rail sounds would be a plus if possible.  I can live without the command control.  However if you think it will cost just as much to convert to conventional as get fixed then I would go that way.  I have learned from this site how important the TVS would be if I get it running again.

 

Thanks for you advise.   Harold

 

[anjdevil2]

I'm sure there are people outside of hobby shops that repair Lionels.  One that I know of is

Dennis Waldron.  His address:

Just Trains
1 Ridge Circle
Sussex, New Jersey 07461

1-973-702-0545

There is also the Train Doctor, he is also in NJ, he repaired a Southern Switcher for $100 which was a board replacement.  As an aside, it took almost a year due to limited parts availability from China.

http://www.thetraindoctor.com/

I would get at least an estimate, which is a minimal investment.

 

 

[lionelnut]

Thanks, I thought that too.  But if this Lionel guy can't find the problem?? I thought by the time I pack and ship I could just get a (electronic e-unit) make it conventional and the train would be good to go.  or not.... Harold 

[Boxcar Bill]

LionelNut

    I will be in Burlington Sunday the 12th. If I can't fix it it won't cost you a penny, I will pay return shipping if I can't fix it. Check us out here.

http://www.mttponline.com/   If you like we can arrange pick-up tomorrow We are located in Norwalk, OH.

 

We have the parts instock

Bill

[KRM]

Hey there Lionelnut, Go with Bill,

 A lot of talk on those issues here. Pro and Con.

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/202420.aspx

Kev

[Kooljock1]

I'm not sure what you mean by "TV's", but this engine was listed as "Command Ready" when it was produced, so it already has an electronic E-Unit, but no TMCC.  That is, unless you upgraded it at some point.

Jon 

[lionelnut]

Thanks Kev,  I have contacted Bill I will be giving him a shot.

Harold

[lionelnut]

Kooljock1,  Yes it was upgraded.  Good to know it already has the electronic e-unit.

Harold

[gunrunnerjohn]

Those are modular units, so a fix should be as easy as replacing the defective board(s) or driver modules.  All of them are still available from Lionel, so I have no idea what the guy you were talking about was seeing!

 

[ADCX Rob]

I'm not sure what you mean by "TV's"...

"Transient Voltage Suppressors"

[Buckeye Riveter]

Boxcar Bill

LionelNut

    I will be in Burlington Sunday the 12th. If I can't fix it it won't cost you a penny, I will pay return shipping if I can't fix it. Check us out here.

http://www.mttponline.com/   If you like we can arrange pick-up tomorrow We are located in Norwalk, OH.

 

We have the parts instock

Bill

Bill....I always thought you were near Port Clinton.  Do you have a store in Norwalk or are you doing the repairs and upgrades from garage/basement?  BTW, really like the video on the website.

[lionelnut]

Well, a big thank you goes out to boxcarbill and http://www.mttponline.com/   he not only fixed my 6-18082 Lionel TMCC controlled 4-6-4 Steamer he drove down from Norwalk, Ohio to Northern Kentucky….picked it up and returned less than 2 weeks later to deliver it back to me.  He must like me….Told you I would get you in trouble Bill.  I have my transient surge protectors in place so we will see how long it will last.  Just need to save enough money for the sound board now.

One final question?  The instructions say I can set my high voltage setting.  On my Cab-1 press SET the headlight will flash, get the loco moving to the max speed I want and press BOOST.  This locks the max speed.  It doesn’t seem to work.  When I press SET the headlight does flash but pressing BOOST does not lock max speed.  I am not trying to protect the trains speed from any of my nieces or nephews it my better half, she just loves making it go fast and then press the brake or "break" button on the cab-1.  Am I doing something wrong.  Again.  Thanks.

Harold