Firstly let me apologies as I am completely new to this. I just purchase the Lionel O Gauge Polar Express Set, which includes the 2-8-4 Berkshire Locomotive, for my son to introduce him to the Hobby. I ordered online from a US supplier and unfortunately it doesn’t run at all. There seems to be power to the track and the lights come on the train at full throttle. The whistle also works on the tender so the track is obviously getting voltage. However the train does not move at all. I am devastated as this was meant to be a Christmas present. Anything i can check myself or is there no hope and I have to take it to an authorized dealer. It has the CW-80 transformer so I am assuming there is a fault with the train or the transformer. Are there any fuses in the locomotive or something I can do. Sorry for having no clue but I am desperate. Happy Holidays… Simon
Sorry to hear of your problem, about the worse thing that can happen on Christmas. I don’t know if this will help, but look for any switches under the engine or tender to start with. Are you cycling through with the handle on the transformer ?
On then off . Maybe a wire is off in the engine or tender. There will be others along to help. Welcome to the forum & hope someone can help soon !
Thanks,John
Simon, No apology ever needed. [:)]
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There have been instances that the cW-80 transformer has not worked properly.
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Most of the time there is a loose wire somewhere. I have had the PE open to fix the smoke. Just carefully take the screws out first and put them in a safe place. The shell should be put on very carefully such that the wires are tucked up under the shell. You don’t need the screws in place to run the engine. You will see how the engine gets power to the motor. You will also see a circuit board that often comes loose in transport. [:(]
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Can you give us an idea of where you live, ie. state, because someone might know how to help you much faster. For example, if you lived near me, I would try to fix it or get you to a place that could fix it fast.
I will tell you that my daughters PE runs like a champ. They are really simple engines. BTW, if the whistle on the top breaks off, Lionel replaces it for free.
Let’s try the simplest possibility. It’s a longshot but will only take a second to try. Since the whistle and lights work, it sounds like the transformer may be OK. Maybe the engine is coming up in neutral. If you hit the direction button on the transformer, does it switch over into forward or reverse?
Thanks so much for the warm welcome. I actuallly live in Toronto Canada. Luckily I opened the set last night while my son was asleep to test it. I would like to get it fixed in the next day or so if I can and give it to him then. I cycled the transformer as suggested with no joy. I will remove the locomotive body to see if I can see any obvious signs of loose connection or the like. Any and all input is appreciated many thanks to everyone. Best wishes during this festive season.
Good suggestion the direction button doesn’t have any affect at all [:(]
I opened up the locomotive and I don’t see anything obvious, nothing appears loose or damaged. When I cycle the transformer by pressing the direction button the locomotive light does go out, not sure if that means anything?
Long ago when I was in O scale… we made sure to hook it to the right ternimals. I cannot remember if it was AC or DC but perhaps that might be it.
Welcome to the forums! and Merry Christmas!
Are the connections to the track on varaible or did you put them on fixed. Fixed is for accessories, and variable is to run the train at different speeds
That was my initial thought but it seems to be wired up ok. We run 120V AC as per the states and that is what the transformer uses.
No I did hook them up to “Track” not “accessories” on the CW-80 as per the operations manual. Certainly does sound like some kind of power problem though doesn’t it?
That is weird. I have never tried a CW, so I really do not know about them. I switched to TMCC a year ago today. Before that, I had a few other transformers, but have not dealt w/ the CW
Check the directions booklet or the tape. Look in the cab and check the direction flip switch.
[#ditto] Good point.
The “Reverse” and “Smoke” buttons are both swithed to OFF in the cab. I can’t help feeling this is something silly (e.g me) but running out of ideas.
Try it with the reverse switched to on.
From the original description it sounded like the eunit may have been locked in neutral. I’m not sure why the factory would send them out locked. Hope that works.
So how can I tell if it is in neutral. Turning reverse on? Then what should I do. Sorry folks as you can tell I’m a novice.[:I]
Weird. I switched the “reverse” to on in the cab and then plugged in the transformer and opened the throttle. The locomotive moved about 4 inches then stopped. I tried repeating the process to no avail. Pressing the “direction” button on the transformer didn’t help either.
I would try a few other things. I had trouble with my CW80 being sensitive to good wire connections. I would recommend making sure all the wire connectors are very well connected. Try disconnecting and reconnecting or “wiggling” the transformer wire connections at the transformer. The other recommendation is to try putting some of the lighted passenger cars on the track, and test the train then. I assume you also had to assemble some fast track. Make sure it is securly fastened. Try the train at different points on the circle. Press down on the track in various points and see if it makes any difference to electrical flow. Beyond that, check the various locomotive switches.