Speeding Loco

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I’m over visiting from tne Model Railroader forums to see if I can help a friend that has recently gotten the model railroading bug, but has not yet found the value of the forums.

He has been running his mostly Lionel layout with a ZW transformer. He recently aquired an MTH Challenger. He says when he tries to run it, he barely turns the power on and it flies around the layout.

Any thoughts, experiences and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Richard

2

Should not be doing that ,try a different transformer.

3

Sounds like the speed control has been disabled on that MTH engine. Your buddy needs to get a modern transformer, and perform a factory reset. Should correct things.

4

Thank you for the ideas. He evidently does not have a more modern transformer and he tried to do a factory reset. The ZW is listed as compatable in his material.

Were ZW’s ever upgraded ao that his could be an older model?

Thanks again.

Richard

5

Yes, Lionel did make a modern ZW, and boy howdy is it pricey.

Track down a more affordable MTH Z-500 or Z-750, which will do the trick.

6

Yeah, I have to wonder just how good a seller it is.

I use MTH Z-1000’s on my layout and everything I put on the tracks, Pre-Wars, Post-Wars, and Modern Era (Lionel and MTH) love 'em and work perfectly.

7

Thank you for all the suggestions. He’s tried everything, so believes the problem is the loco iitself.

Thanks again,

Richard