lionel 2055 problem

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

hi all I have a problem with an old Lionel 2055 the locomotive runs fine by it self but when I put the tender on somthing shorts and nothing works please help

2

Hello Kevin! If there is a short after you put the tender behind your 2055 then there must be a short or loose wire inside of your Whistle Tender. Just unscrew the tender top and take a peek inside. Most likely this is whats wrong here. Just take a look at the Solder joints and make sure the wires are connected to them and to check for any frayed wiring as well. Let us know what happens. Good Luck.

3

Actually, the problem could also be where the wire connects to the center pickup roller on the tender. The truck frame and the plate that holds the roller assembly, are in contact with the ground rails. The roller assembly needs to be insulated from that. Also check that the wire insulation is in good condition where it goes through the sheet metal, to the whistle motor.

4

I’v had more than one where the wire has come off the pick-up and is shorting out on the truck or the frame of the tender.You can see this just by looking under the tender.Also if someone re-soldered the wire to the pick-up and the lump of solder is to high it will short.
Ed

5

An easy way to find the short is to run the train in the dark and watch for arcing. If none is visible, take the top off the tender and try it again. You may have to wiggle some wires or the wheels to see the spark.

Good Luck…
EIS

6

thank guys I checked it out its due to a frayed wire comeing out the tender going to the pickup shoe I’ll fix that and report back

7

after looking further into the whistle tender I have desided the best thing to do would be to rewire the whole whistle set up because the wiring is in pretty bad shape with cracked insilation and frayed wires also just woundering what years were 2055s produced between ?

8

Hi Kevin, it looks like the 2055s were made from 1953 to 1955. Heres a link to give you more info !
http://www.postwarlionel.com/steam.html
http://www.postwarlionel.com/ This is the main link.

9

Thanks !!!

10

Hey Kevin,

That sometimes happens with the back tender truck of my 2055. I had it checked, and it works fine now.