Lionel Transformer Type 1032 hookup

[Anonymous]

For the first time in fifty years, I'm trying to hook up the family Lionel. There are four transformer terminals: U, A, B, & C. Which do I wire to the track clip on posts 1 & 2? Any special instructions for wiring the whistle lever? Thanks!

[csxt30]

[#welcome] Virginian ! I have the 1044 transformer, which should hook up the same as your 1033, & I use the top 2 left terminals, which are labeled U on the far left & A to the right of it . I usually put the U on the outside rail & the A to the middle rail. Let us know how it works !

[Anonymous]

I get some slight movement and the engine light comes on, but only when I move the one connection to the C Terminal (the other is on "U"). My guess is that the track needs cleaning. Any suggestions as to the best way to do the cleaning?

[csxt30]

Ok, that's a start when the light came on, but did you try moving one of the levers on the transformer to off & then back on, to cycle the E unit in the engine ? The eng. probably moved cause you interupted the cycle, good. To clean the track, there are many methods, presuming you are using the regular old style tube track, don't use steel wool or sanpaper. Try one of those green scrub sponges, I think they're called scothbrite. I've been using denatured alcohol lately, after using GOO- GONE, which removes any residue. Next will be cleaning & lubing your eng, & hopefully some of the other guys will be along with that info ! Keep usd posted !

[Chris F]

1032, 1033, and 1044 transformers have similar wiring schemes.

Terminal A is the recommended common terminal, and should be connected to Terminal 2 (outside rail) of the lock-on. Terminal U would be the Hot terminal and should be connected to Terminal 1 (center rail) of the lock-on. When connected in this manner, there should be 5-16V for running the train, fixed 16V from terminal C, and fixed 5V from terminal B.

Terminal U could be used as the common terminal. You'd get 5-16V from Terminal A, and 0-11V from terminal B. However, there would be no fixed voltage terminals available with this connection scheme.

The whistle should work with either of the above wiring schemes - no extra wiring is required.

If I'm reading the wiring diagram correctly, you might get 0-11V between Terminal C and Terminal U, but the internal circuit breaker would be bypassed, WHICH COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING AND RESULT IN A FIRE. Check for a short circuit. The most likely cause would be a bad fiber paper insulator underneath the center rail. Remove the lock-on and all rolling stock from the track. Using a volt-ohm meter, verify that the resistance between the outside rails and the center rails is infinite (no continuity). If the track is okay, there could be a short circuit in the locomotive, or the circuit breaker in the transformer could be faulty (stuck open).

[Anonymous]

Thanks, I'll clean the track and start again. I'll report back on progress.

[Anonymous]

welcome Mr virginian, Do you see a any lettering on your transformer?

[Anonymous]

I have problems similar to The Virginian. I have a 1033 Transformer and a No. 2025 Locomotive with Smoke Chamber (the whole set dates from late 40's to early 50's). The set hasn't been used in years, but following the suggestions provided by others, I have wired the transformer and cleaned wheels and track. When I turn it on, the train goes about half way around the track, and dies. Any suggestions?
The set includes a 2466WX Whistle Tender, but the whistle doesn't work. Is that fixable?

[Chris F]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BTatroE4

I have problems similar to The Virginian. I have a 1033 Transformer and a No. 2025 Locomotive with Smoke Chamber (the whole set dates from late 40's to early 50's). The set hasn't been used in years, but following the suggestions provided by others, I have wired the transformer and cleaned wheels and track. When I turn it on, the train goes about half way around the track, and dies. Any suggestions?
The set includes a 2466WX Whistle Tender, but the whistle doesn't work. Is that fixable?

If your loco is stopping at the same location each time, the problem is with the track. With nothing on the track, apply power and check the voltage with a test light or meter. No/low voltage means a poor connection (e.g., rust at the connection), or the track is very far from the transformer (run hot and common jumper wires to this section). If the voltage at the track is similar to the voltage between the A and U terminals, the problem may be a bad insulator under a center rail causing a short when the weight of the loco pushes it down.

Regarding the 2466WX, go to this link and then click on the service information for whistles and tenders
http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/library.htm

BTW, welcome to the Forum! You might want to start a new thread on this problem to get more responses.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the suggestions. After a little more fiddling with the set, I found that it runs well if the Whistle Tender is removed. I'll look for a local shop that repairs Lionel trains to get it fixed.

[TonyPDX]

It's been a few years since this thread was active, but I have a similar situation to the Virginians' original post - I just pulled a Standard guage Lionel set out of the box for the first time in 50 years. I cleaned and connected a single track section and set the locomotive on it.  When I turn up the voltage the light comes on and the engine makes straining noises, but the wheels don't move.  I tried it upside down to reduce the weight on the wheels with no effect.  I can turn the wheels by hand and they seem to be free from any obvious mechanical problems, but that's as far as I've gotten.  Any suggestions on where to go from here?  I have a couple of young grandsons who would be so happy to see a train running around the Christmas tree! 

Thanks in advance for any help,

Tony in PDX

[rtraincollector]

TonyPDX

It's been a few years since this thread was active, but I have a similar situation to the Virginians' original post - I just pulled a Standard guage Lionel set out of the box for the first time in 50 years. I cleaned and connected a single track section and set the locomotive on it.  When I turn up the voltage the light comes on and the engine makes straining noises, but the wheels don't move.  I tried it upside down to reduce the weight on the wheels with no effect.  I can turn the wheels by hand and they seem to be free from any obvious mechanical problems, but that's as far as I've gotten.  Any suggestions on where to go from here?  I have a couple of young grandsons who would be so happy to see a train running around the Christmas tree! 

Thanks in advance for any help,

Tony in PDX

First the biggest help would be the number onb it I have a 8E which back then was a # 8 with electronic E unit and if the E unit got put in lock position your unit may be locked in nuetral

[TonyPDX]

Well, there aren't many numbers that I can find on the engine. Just above the light on the front there is a little frame with "385E" in it.  The plate on the bottom of the motor unit says:

MADE IN U. S. OF AMERICA

STANDARD LOCOMOTIVE

LUBRICATE BEFORE USING

AND WHEN REQUIRED

THE LIONEL CORPORATION, N.Y.

That's about it for identifying marks.

One other point - I'm using a Lionel Type 1032 transformer (75W) that came with another vintage train that belonged to my father-in-law.  Perhaps it doesn't provide sufficient voltage for the older standard guage motors?