Thanks Rob! I was afraid to put muscle into the removal of the cover. I was definitely on the right track, but was unsure of the mechanics behind the removal. Now to find out if there are any other items in the boxes that have battery compartments that may have batteries still in. I certainly hope not.
ChristieB ...Any tricks to removing the compartment door...
...Any tricks to removing the compartment door...
Rob
Hi. I just recently acquired my dad's Burlington, and to say the least, it has the battery in it. A couple of questions for you. I reviewed the exploded views of your link and I cannot get the compartment door off. I did notice there is a small lever that seems to slide--is this a lock of some sort? Any tricks to removing the compartment door. I can remove the screw and pry the area where the screw is, up only a little bit. I would love to, obviously, remove the decaying battery and take stock of the damage. Which brings me to my next question, do you know anyone who restores these? I live in Cincinnati. Thank you in advance for your time. Now I need to assess the rest of the collection. Hopeful to find less of a mess.
John,
Two more items -
After sitting for many years, the horn's internal parts may have stiffened up. There is an adjustment screw on the horn body that you can turn in and out to "tune" the horn.
Your grandfather's set was either the 1534W from 1955 or the 1562W from 1956. The 1955 set included 3 silver cars with red printing, while the 1956 set included 4 silver cars with red printing and a horizontal red stripe across the window area.
Lionel collector, stuck in an N scaler's modelling space.
Shameless bump to the top, due to the fact that I am concerned that John will install the battery, the horn will blow, and he'll drop his locomotive. Be a bad way to start out. Maybe this way he will read my most recent post and be forewarned.
O.K., O.K., so I'm nervous. Even a rattlesnake gives a little warning....
UJT,
You're quite welcome. I meant to mention that whereas the D-cell actually powers the horn, between the transformer and the horn is a special relay that turns the horn on and off. The relay is activated by a cleverly engineered shot of direct current (known as the "DC offset") that, when you push the horn/whistle button, the transformer puts out on top of the normal alternating current that goes to the track. Problems with the horn are usually caused by some electro-mechanical problem with the relay.
With luck you won't have any problem, BUT you need to know that with the engine upright (as when on the track) the relay "closes" (sounds the horn) on the up-stroke, and then returns to the open position (horn shuts off) soley due to the force of gravity. The ramification of this is that once a battery is installed, if you turn the locomotive upside down, the horn will sound unexpectedly. Knowing this, and being mentally prepared for it, should help you avoid a startle-reflex that might cause you to drop the engine -- and you don't want to do that!
After more than 56 years of playing with trains with battery-powered horns, I still jump when one goes off when I least expect iit. Yikes!
Wolverine49,
Thanks for the info. Your link not only confirmed the D size battery, but also instructions on how to install it. I messed around with it for about an hour last night before posting on the forum. My grandfather took great care of this unit and the 3 coaches. I don't recall him ever using the horn so it'll be a really nice to hear how it sounds 50 years later. Thanks again, John
Welcome to the Forum!
Chuck is right. For an exploded view and more info generally try this link:
http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/2328.htm
Be thankful that your grandfather didn't leave the battery in the locomotive. By now, it would have leaked and probably ruined this very nice loco. Sounds like he took very good care of his train. It probably needs lubrication, about which there are many posts on this and the OGR forum.
probably the bicycle horn inside the shell. Should be a "D"
http://www.postwarlionel.com/cgi-bin/postwar?ITEM=2328
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