What is needed to fix/complete horn on this Lionel PW ALCO?

[Anonymous]

Olsen's toy trains, mentioned in a previous article, has parts pictorials and schematics for that engine.  I have one like it that I restored.  The horn runs off of a 1.5 vlot D cell.  You can test the horn with a D cell connected from the insulated wire coming out of the horn unit to the case.

If it doesn't work , you have two choices:  1) get a "replacement" from Olsen's or 2) try to repair it (I did both and settled on the repaired unit)  The replacement didn't sound the same as my memory of the older unit.  You might be able to modify the replacement by adding mass to the diaphram (JB Weld?); I didn't try that.

I repaired the old unit by bending the tabs on the cover back to open it up and drilling/"squnching"  out the rivet that holds the coil in.  I determined that corrosion was preventing good electrical contact with the coil.  I teased a wire (a very fine wire) out of the coil, soldered a small wire to it, and bypassed the corrosion.  I then reassembled it with JB Weld here and there including around the drilled out rivet and put the cover back on after it cured.  I had to readjust the tone screw to make it sound right, but it worked! (I was surprised, actually since it was a dicey repair).

[jpelosi2002]

Here's a before pic of an Alco that I'm in the process of restoring. Just got done with all the re-plating this afternoon. Anyway, this pic shows all the parts you need, big and small.

[lionelsoni]

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/2023.htm

[Anonymous]

Good Afternoon Sir,

Do yourself a favor. Take your diesel to a qualified Lionel service station. First findout what it will cost  to have the work done. Then decide if its worth it. One of the main problems is going to be getting a good ground. You may have to replace everything. Ask the Lionel service station what it would cost to have them install a new Lionel horn board and speaker. Its easier to do and I bet alot less money. Also, it will sound better. Good luck. Take care and have a great day.  

The Lionel horn kit comes with a circutboard, speaker and a piece of double stick foam.

 

 

[chuck]

You can order the replacement battery holder and relay from a parts dealer like Olsen's Toy Trains parts or Toy Train Parts, MT. Washington, KY.  What was the engine number on the loco?  If you want to restore it, you need to try and find the correct replacemnet parts.

Electronic equivalent of the bicycle horn can be obtained for about $25.00.  If you want to convert the loco, you need to find parts for the spearker, speaker bracket, mounding brackets for the sound board, etc.

[pgtr]

It appears that what I would call the battery holder / relay is missing. There are 2 wires exposed (look closely). Pardon the pun but can someone fill in on what all is needed? Or a detailed shot of a complete unit or a reference to an online wiring diag would be great. It's a 2023.

I hooked up a battery to the 'horn' - it sounds pretty pathetic but I don't have any experience here. Looks like there's an adjustment but my hunch is these don't sound good regardless. More like a piercing 'braaaap' sound.

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A slightly different question...

Looking at some of the other threads perhaps an aftermarket replacement sound board or speaker is an option? From searching through the board I've found the following possibilities. Some are more expensive than I would entertain. I do not run anything but conventional power. I prefer to use the built in whistle buttons on my LW and ZW. All I want is a good sounding horn and maybe, (just maybe) some add'l sounds for the engine. The one that comes closes though it seems to have perhaps too many sounds built in is the Sound Commander. Again what I'm after is just a simple replacement for the horn that sounds good (better than the original anemic Lionel thing). Any recommendations?

Digitdynam.com: Railsounds Complete 89.95
electricrr.com: Sound Commander 49.95
TAStudios.com: SAWBoard $165-$174
Dallee.com: Locomatic(?)
QSISolutions.com ? ? (whistle: 'Tooter' or diesel: 'Hooter')