Toy train operating and collecting

Does anyone have any experience with the operating water tower? I recently purchased Lionel 14086 water tower on ebay from Trainz and connected it last night and to my disappointment, the spout lowers but the water does not transfer to hidden tank (no pumping sounds, nothing). I'm using postwar ZW. Just wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions on something I should try before sending back to Trainz for repair/refund. Thanks.

The 14086 Water tower does not have sound.  The water level should lower.  If it doesn't, a call to Trainz is in order. 

They are a very reputable company, and should return or replace the iitem if it's defective.

Kurt

I opened a "ticket" to them and they asked if I wanted to send it back for repair. I just was curious if anyone had suggestions before I make trip to post office. I tried increasing voltage but still no movement in water level. Does it normally take a long time to begin to lower?

The water level should begin to drop as soon as the spout lowers. Haven't run mine in a while so can't tell you how long it takes, but probably no more than 45 seconds to 1 minute.

We also purchased a newer water tower, but a 6-14086 from eBay.  Looks perfect, all parts there, spout drops - but after one trial where water actually moved, the next time a few minutes later, and with the kids present - no motor noise or water lowering, just the spout dropping.  I took the tower apart (no easy job, had to empty all the water, and carefully remove the tank with all the hoses and circuit boards in there) and removed the pump motor and gearbox assembly.  Pulling this apart showed that the previous owner must have left the water in there for quite some time, and there's rust on the motor shaft and into the end of the motor.  We really like this accessory, but need a replacement motor and gearbox (or even just the motor, if I can get it out of the white plastic gearbox).  I cannot find the part number to order one.  Does anyone know where a replacement can be found?  e run the trains daily - will leaving colored distilled water in it case a recurrence of the problem?

Apparently a very tempermental accessory. After getting it from Trainz a 3rd time it finally worked - fortunately I tested it on kitchen counter because it pumped the water but leaked terribly. Trainz gave me a full refund. I was very impressed with their customer service - emails & phone calls about getting tower to work, prepaid shipping, and after all a full refund (I offered to take a store "credit" because I felt I owed them something for their time & efforts but they insisted on refund. I definitely recommend them.

 I, too, have had good luck with trainz.com, but I bought the old 30 water tower from another store.  I had heard about problems with the 38, especially used ones on ebay & elsewhere.  Besides, I never saw a water tower that you could see the water through the tank wall anyway.

You might want to consider a #30.  I got mine with no controller, but a simple 'temporary on' push button switch from a hardware store works fine.

wyomingscout