Lionel Big Boy Engine Reset Under Conventional Control

Classic Toy Trains Forum
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I’ve had two instances of erratic operation of my Lionel Big Boy that required an engine controller reset. Reset is easy when using TMCC, but not obvious when using conventional control, as I do.

The first instance of erratic operation was that the engine was stuck in “forward only” even though the prog/run switch was set to “run”. The second was the engine intermittantly quit chuffing even though the engine was set to “TrainSounds”. Per Lionel tech support, I switched the engine to “prog”, put it on the track and applied power. Then, while the engine was in motion, I pulled the plug on my CW-80 transformer. After 10 seconds, I switched the prog/run switch to “run”, put the engine back on the track, and slowly reapplied power.

It was recommended to have a load on the track when power is reapplied (a lighted caboose is fine, I also have a 200 ohm/10w resistor on a double banana plug permanently bridged across the CW-80 terminals).

In both cases, this worked perfectly, and the engine performed correctly after that. I believe intermittant shorts/sparking such as caused by a car derailment caused the engine to become “confused”.

2

gbcoleman,

You seem to be on a roll! Congratulations on two of the most interesting diagnoses and solutions that I have seen in a long, long time.

I see you have left a special note for “darianj” who has had multiple FasTrack switch problems.

“hobo79” is another member who has had vexing problems with certain combinations of locomotives, switches, and transformers. He might find your work extremely interesting so I hope he spots your posts.

In order to aid someone doing a search, especially an “advanced search” of the forum, here are a few “keywords” various combinations of which might lead them to your posts.:

CW-80 switch FasTrack FasTrak fastrak fastrack short derail TMCC spark

wolverine49