I purchased engine 8206 a few years ago. Don’t recall how well it ran then. Yesterday it would not run, then it ran, E unit was erratic, then nothing and the overload light on the transformer would come on.
I opened it and found two things that did not look right. I used some plain tape for temporary insulation. With the tape in place and the body off, the engine ran fine. The E unit is working F-N-R.
Does the wire with the black frayed insulation need to be isolated from the frame, which I put the blue tape on?
Second, there is a long loose wire that is soldered near the smoker unit. See photo with small piece of blue tape. The other end has a female connector end. I coiled up the wire for the photo and added tape.
Does this wire with the connector look original? I don’t see where the loose end connects.
I am using Greenberg’s Repair.. 1945-1969, 7th ed. Engine 8206 is not listed. I assume it is post 1969. Is it a reissue of an engine from 1945-1969?
Thank you for pointing out the flaws. I have noticed more in the photos than looking at the engine. Ok, I see how it is grounded. The insulation must be need down lower. I will tape up the fray. But, is that wire soldered to/near the smoker with a female connector needed? The connector end was just flopping around. Thanks
I located the answer to the vintage question I posted for the 8206
The Lionel engine 8206, known as the “Hudson,” was released during the MPC era, which began in the early 1970s. It is often associated with the postwar Lionel models, particularly the 2065.
The 8206 shares the same wheel configuration as the 2065 but features a different boiler front design. Both engines utilize a similar E-unit layout, making them compatible in some respects.
The 8206 is essentially a modern interpretation of earlier designs, reflecting Lionel’s practice of reusing successful concepts with slight modifications.
The long loose wire “tail” with that connector generally goes to the tender for this era/family of MPC steam engines.
Do you have the tender? You don’t say anything about it in your post, nor show it. If it was on the track and also suffered form what I describe below, this might explain the transformer overload tripping.
If you do have it , (and if you haven’t already applied power), DON’T power it up until you remove the shell and examine the board. The foam padding Lionel used has a tendency to disintegrate, so the board components may become shorted to the metal frame, therefore the board could become damaged/destroyed if you power it up without replacing the old foam. (double sided tape can work as a replacement, depending on how strong it is. I have used some squares I found in Lowes, I think they are meant for hanging small mirrors to walls).
A note thereon: what you’re referring to is the “Mighty Electronic Sound of Steam”, a very early sound system. It is sometimes called the “Sound of Static”, as that is exactly what it is: a static generator that is hooked up to only make sound when a switch in the smoke unit is turned on. I initially thought that the cable was too short for that, but looking at it now, it appears to indeed be for the Sound of Steam.
I purchased the engine used several years ago. The price tag is still on it. It lists smoke and whistle. I have a few tenders, one may have come with the engine. I will have to look at them to see if any has what you describe. I am not familiar with the system you spoke of. That long wire was all under the engine body and did not extend out. I have a few tenders but none were connected to the wire. I have not worked with the trains in several years and going through them to see what needs fixing.
Update. I have four tenders, two 6466W, 2026W, 6026W. None are the type that goes with the engine for steam sound. I did locate some wiring in desperate need of repair.
I did find a video
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Lionel’s “Electronic Mighty Sound Of Steam” - Early Electronic Train Sounds
