Can anyone help me out? I got a gift of a 225E Lionel train with a 2046W tender. The whistle works fine if I jump the contacts on the controller but doesn't work on the track. Does it need a whistle controller? Or what trips the contact to make the whistle blow? Sorry, first Lionel I have had the pleasure of owning. Any help would be great.
Welcome to the forum!
Your locomotive and tender needs either a transformer with a built-in whistle controller, or a separate whistle controller for transformers lacking one. What transformer do you have?
The whistle controller converts the AC voltage from the transformer into a DC voltage that energizes the relay in the tender. When the relay closes, it allows track voltage to operate the whistle motor.
Larry
Wow! That helps heaps! The xformer that I have for it is a Louis Marx & co. Cat. 1239 Which does not appear to have a controller on it. Maybe I can find a controller or combo xformer and controller on Ebay. Need some track anyway.
Thanks for your help, I plan to read the forums to see what it's all about. You really answered the question nicely.
Larry, I found a AC 803000 controller which looks like it has a horn or whistle control button plus a button with up and down function on Ebay. Ends in less than an hr. Would this work? $19.00 plus 11.00 shipping.
Time for a transformer upgrade, my friend. That Marx transformer is only rated at 50 watts, which will barely get your train going, never mind the whistle motor also. Depending on your plans for your layout and / or other trains, for a small simple oval, you can use a Lionel 1033 or 1044 (90 watts) transformer. If a larger layout is planned, then go for a KW (190 watts)or ZW (250/275 watts) transformer. They will run 2 or 4 separate trains respectively, and have power to spare. (Note that the wattage ratings are input power, and the output power is somewhat less due to internal losses). They all have built-in whistle controllers for those trains so equipped. Get your transformer from a reputable source that has overhauled it and will certify that it works properly, unless you are familiar with how to repair / overhaul transformers yourself. It costs a bit more this way, but "you gets what you pays for, and you pays for what you gets".
OK Larry, now you got me hook, line and sinker. I got this engine and tender given to me and now I have an urge to get a set together. I am a HO train guy and have spent enough money on that hobby.
So I thought.
Well now the fun begins. Two of my neighbors have O scale Lionels in their storage that have not seen the light of day for many years. We are all 60+ yrs of age and get together regularly for a beer or two. Now they decided to get them out of the attic and just go for it. I did not know about their trains, but now the interest has gone virile. Grand kids are excited. Thanks a lot. Anyway, I am getting a much better lionel transformer and learning how to clean up the armatures and whistle blower doothingies to get them running like new again. The internet really is nice for that. And you guys are too.
Might as well hang around a bit and see what I can learn about Lionel.
Again, thanks for the help.
Your welcome. I am glad that your interest has reawakened the interest of your neighbors. Sounds like forming a club could be in your future! Anytime you need help, it's only a keystroke away.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month