MTH PS1 Locos and Lionel CW-80

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Until I get another transformer, im pretty much stuck with the CW-80 that came with the Polar Express set. When I place my Dash-8 Santa Fe on the track and plug in the transformer, the bell sounds and the loco starts up…but the problem is, I cannot change the directional state of the engine unless I disconnect and reconnect one of the terminal wires on the track, and then I can change states, but I would have to dis/recon the wire each time I want to change direction. It also will not respond to the Direction button on the transformer either.

I believe that the power has to be totally interrupted from the track in order to change directions.

Now with the CSX SD-60 engine (also a PS1 model), when I place it on the track I hear nothing after I plug in the transformer, I can start it up normally once I up the throttle, and can change directions just fine w/o having to disconnect/reconnect any wires. And it responds fine with the Direction button.

My Dash-8 seems to be quite finicky…dont think it likes the CW-80 very much. Eventually though I will get another transformer with the pure sine wave and that should solve it.

Chris

2

CHRIS,
You hit it right on the money, you need a pure sine wave not like the CW-80
laz57

3

On the CW, the red terminal is supposed to go to the outside rails. Also, try using a lighted lockon or an illuminated car on the tracks. This will adjust the electrical load and might allow the engine to behave. The output format of a “modified sine wave” power supplies can vary greatly. Some have charateristics that will cause this behavior and some (usualy the more expensive ones) don’t.