The current CTT's "Question & answers" feature includes an old favorite--the sticking whistle-relay. The answer casts doubt on the likelihood that the problem is a magnetized armature; my experience is otherwise.
Fortunately there is a much simpler fix than the advice that the magazine gives: Put a little scrap of masking tape between the armature and the relay core. The tape will create a tiny armature-core gap, a space greater enough from zero to keep the gap from closing completely but not enough to affect normal relay operation.
Bob Nelson
I'm a little embarassed my question made it to the Q&A in the magazine, I figured out what the problem was a while ago.
It was cold.
Yep, that's all it was. The trains are out in the "Chugger Barn" and I only have heat on when I'm going to run trains. On the coldest days it takes at least two hours to warm the place up and even then the heat doesn't reach all corners.
I had one whistle unit have problems, then another, then another, and I said to myself "They can't ALL be bad!" Sure enough when the units warmed up enough they worked perfectly.
Sorry for the headaches I may have caused, this is embarassing.
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