Lionel should provide a replacement chip for these transformers.
The current IC being used contains lead, and is restricted from sale in the United States.
To junk an $ 80.00 dollar transformer for a $ 2.00 dollar IC is bad business.
Replacing the fuse is acceptable, but when the IC goes bad, without a replacement
the transformer becomes junk.
Boycott Lionel transformers.
Sorry, Lionel already beat you to it. No more transformers in sets. You may want to change your screen name, too, as it’s now obsolete.
WOW tough croud here… Lionel has made many bad moves over the years. This is just one more in a long list. I would like to welcome cw-80 to the forum.[#welcome] I am sure like many of us,he is venting.
JMHO.
At least they either fixed the flaws or provided means of correcting them. Welcome cw80!
Welcome cw80.
For a while Lionel was saying to provide proof of purchase and they would send you a new CW-80 that was in good shape from a newer batch of transformers. Lionel then told you to cut off the power cord of the old CW-80 and use it as a paper weight.
I think Lionel should have done something with the 6-23010 series O gauge switches as well. I had 4 of those fail on me, in different ways.