Getting the Trainmaster Toy Transformer to work

[jwilharm]

I've found my old Lionel Rock Island train set from 1975 and trying to get it to work.  I have the blue Trainmaster Toy Transformer (model 4050) with the Lionel CTC Lockon clip.  How do I get this to work?  I've affixed the clip to the track and attached some simple copper wire from the Transformer to the clip, but the locomotive won't move.  Do I need a special type of wire?  Am I doing something wrong? 

Any help would be appreciated.  

[csxt30]

to the forum !! Let me ask you first if you have a voltmeter to test your transformer with, AC voltage to see if it is putting out. If it is putting out voltage, does the light in the engine come on, or try the caboose & see if it lights up if it has a light in it. Also see if there's a lever on the engine somewhere & try moving it to the opposite position. If it is not working at the transformer, maybe the cord is no good from sitting, also the engine may just be froze up from sitting. Grease sometimes in them hardens up over time. Hope you can test the transformer & get back to us !!

Oh, also make sure one wire goes to the center rail & one to an outer rail from the transformer.

Thanks, John

 

[jwilharm]

Thanks John.  I'm just using standard copper wire - is that okay? 

Also - the Lockon clip that I have - the inputs for the wires are side by side and thus when clipped on, both touch the outer track.  So, I don't know how to affix wire to the center rail, per your recommendation.   

[ADCX Rob]

Thanks John.  I'm just using standard copper wire - is that okay? 

Also - the Lockon clip that I have - the inputs for the wires are side by side and thus when clipped on, both touch the outer track.  So, I don't know how to affix wire to the center rail, per your recommendation.   

You are sliding the 'lockon" in & on to the track one rail too far.

The little ledge connected to the "2" terminal clips to the near outside rail, the snap "nub" connected to the "1" terminal clips to the center rail.

See page 4 of the CW manual for an excellent diagram:

CW-80 Manual

Rob 

[DennisB-1]

If you look at the lockon, you'll see that one clip connects to the outer rail and the other clip connects to the center rail. The wire itself shouldn't make any difference as long as it's capable of carrying the current.

Like John said, first determine whether the transformer is working.  Disconnect the wires from the lockon, place the engine upside down and touch one wire to the center pick up roller and the other wire to one of the wheels. Does anything happen?

[jwilharm]

DennisB, Rob & John - thanks so much for the PDF guide and other tips - I got it to work! 

Interesting - I got the red "8959 Soo" locomotive (Mkt Diesel Switcher) to work, but not the 8601 black locomotive that comes with the Rock Island set.  I'm only using 24 gauge wire and that may be the problem (16 gauge recommended).  I'll buy some 16 gauge.  

If you have any other thoughts on why the black 8601 wouldn't work, let me know.

Thanks again! 

[lionelsoni]

While you should use wire heavy enough to be safe (16 AWG is good for about 10 amperes), 24 AWG (only about 2.5 amperes) shouldn't be small enough to keep the locomotive from moving at all.  Something else is wrong.

[jwilharm]

When I do place one wire on the metal strip between the wheels and the other wire on one of the wheels, I get a good spark and the wheels start to move.  But for some reason, when I put it on the track, it won't move. 

[csxt30]

Make sure that center metal strip is coming down far enough to make contact with the center rail, & make sure everything is clean if you can. Hope that helps ! You have made some progress so far, that's good !!

Thanks, John