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Lionel Holiday Central Engine problem

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  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Virginia
  • 6 posts
Lionel Holiday Central Engine problem
Posted by Nepsa on Saturday, January 16, 2010 12:59 PM

I purchased the Lionel Holiday Central "G" guage set after Christmas 2008. This past Christmas when I set it up for the first time (a year later), when I put the batteries, I got this smell of something burning. Nothing works, not even the whistle. It appears I have a defective circuit board.

 

Anyone know where I can purchase a new circuit board?

 

Thanks

 

nepsa

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: silver spring, md
  • 1,232 posts
Posted by altterrain on Saturday, January 16, 2010 2:35 PM

Try contacting Lionel but its doubtful. These sets are cheap, poorly designed, disposable toys.

-Brian

President of
  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Virginia
  • 6 posts
Posted by Nepsa on Sunday, January 17, 2010 1:37 PM

Brian , you are correct, they were of no help. I am going to try to find someone that can test and repair circuit boards. I know it is a cheap set, but the grand kids are very young and I would like to use the cheap one and keep my special collections boxed until they get older.

 

thanks

 

David

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Arizona (high country 7k ft) USA
  • 676 posts
Posted by Rex in Pinetop on Sunday, January 17, 2010 11:38 PM

David,

For grand kids and neighborhood kids under 5 you might try a Thomas or Percy set.  Kids will love them and they look pretty tough with few small parts to break.  I have a Spectrum Connie with sound for the older kids (6-90).  Someday I may buy a $2K loco but for now I'm having way too much fun giving the kids a throttle and watching them run along the paths with the trains.  I did try the $39.95 toys but they didn't last more than a day of kid use.  I think you'd be better off spending a couple hundred and just having fun.

Life is too short not to enjoy it while you can,

Rex

  • Member since
    April 2002
  • From: Wisconsin
  • 1,839 posts
Posted by Rene Schweitzer on Monday, January 18, 2010 11:04 AM
I am not sure you can buy a replacement board. I had the guys over at Classic Toy Trains search the Lionel product catalog, and the only item offered for that set is a manual. The reference number is 71-1089-250. Sorry I can't help more.

Rene Schweitzer

Classic Toy Trains/Garden Railways/Model Railroader

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • 254 posts
Posted by Railroader_Sailor_SSN-760 on Thursday, January 28, 2010 12:52 PM

 It is possible to build a new control circuit for the locomotive out of parts one can get from an electronics parts store, I would suggest Radio Shack, although I can't return to our local store after I succeeded in getting the manager to do a lengthy search for 1.21 Gigawatt Flux Capacitors. After having her employees search the books and catalogs, she called the regional headquarters, who told her that there was no such thing, hence my banishment, as they all laughed at her.

You could use a push-button ON-OFF switch for power on and off, and a DPDT switch can be mounted on the cab for forward and reverse.

We have the Pennsylvania RR version that they sold this year (and got it on clearance for $60), and so far there have been no issues, and our 3 year old has had fun giving rides to our little kittens.

So many scales, so many trains, so little time.....

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Oakley Ca
  • 1,407 posts
Posted by dwbeckett on Thursday, January 28, 2010 3:10 PM

Railroader_Sailor_SSN-760

 It is possible to build a new control circuit for the locomotive out of parts one can get from an electronics parts store, I would suggest Radio Shack, although I can't return to our local store after I succeeded in getting the manager to do a lengthy search for 1.21 Gigawatt Flux Capacitors. After having her employees search the books and catalogs, she called the regional headquarters, who told her that there was no such thing, hence my banishment, as they all laughed at her.

 

Now I Know WHY I couldn't get one!!!

Dave

I can see this going and going and going.........

The head is gray, hands don't work , back is weak, legs give out, eyes are gone, money go's and my wife still love's Me.

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