Just picked up a Santa Fe trainsounds boxcar on ebay (Red w/black roof and ends) I believe from the 2007 Lionel catalog. I put it on the track and nothing ... then some static and sound ... then a horn. Checked the bottom for loose wires and found one disconnected from the one of the roller pickup. Managed to reconnect the wire and put the car back on the track. Standing still everything seems to work fine ... the horn operates off the transformer horn control (using a Lionel KW), the bell works off the bell button and the crew talk activates after the horn is sounded and the diesel sound works. No problem. When in motion, the diesel sound is audible and the horn seems to have a mind of it's own .... keeps sounding as the train moves. The horn does not respond to the transformer horn control nor does the bell when the train is in motion. Is this typical or is something wrong with this car?? Would appreciate feedback.
Jim
Jim,
A few things I know from mine,
Dirty track and connection sparking will make it sound on it's own.
If your KW has not been upgraded with new diodes for the modern horns it may not work all of the time or in motion I had to have both my ZW upgraded to work well with the newer stuff.
Hope this helps.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Actually I'm finding out a little more as I progress with this item. I can get the horn to sound when I hold the horn position on the KW. Still makes short horn sounds while in motion. Since I bought this used, I plan to do a more thorough job of cleaning the pickups .... getting some static as well. I don't think the transformer is an issue ... bought a Rock Island steam railsounds boxcar a while ago .... it was NIB and works perfectly. Any other thoughts are appreciated.
BTW to compare Trainsounds and railsounds are like apples and oranges,They are not the same electronics
I have both steam and diesel cars I bought both Christmas 2006.
In the early 90's I bought a Lionel AF MoPac B unit with sounds and it came with activation buttons. I would like to find activation buttons for these Lionel railsound cars, but as of yet not located any.
I have one for sale if your interested .... contact me via email if you're interested
Thanks Jim. I found one this morning at the Portsmouth Ohio Train Show for $5!
I wired that baby up and now have RailSounds!
I may still want that button Jim!
Dave
My Trainsounds tender was doing the same thing. The instructions say to make sure there is a lamp in the circuit. Running it with an engine that has a headlamp helped a lot, and adding a lit caboose helped more. Cleaning the track and the wheels helped too.
Hope this helps,
J White
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