Whistle Problems

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I am having several whistle problems. I am using all tubular track and a ZW transformer.

Problem 1 - When I place just the whistling tender for my postwar steam turbine on the track and hit the whistle controller it works just fine. However when I add the locomotive it does not. The engine runs fine and even speeds up when I use the whistle controller. Any ideas?

Probems 2 - Last year I bought a new Lionel Winter Wonderland train set to put under the tree. I cannot get the whistling tender (with or without the locomotive) to work on my old lionel tubular track with the ZW. The engine runs, and speeds up when I use the whistle controller. The whistling tender does work with the Fastrack and transformer that came the set. When I swap out the new CW-80 for the ZW (still using tubular track), the whistle still does not work. The engine is AC, not DC. Any ideas?

Any and all suggesions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

2

Hi Tumbleweed,

Welcome to the CTT forum.

So how old is your ZW [?] Has it ever been restored [?]

Sounds like the diode on the whistle control is weak and needs to be replaced.
tom

3

The ZW was my Dad’s from the early 50s. I just had it restored by someone who repairs Lionel trains.

I am assuming you mean the diode on the ZW needs to be replaced?

Thanks for the response.

4

Yes on the ZW. You can try holding the whistle button about half to three-quarter of the way on the ZW and see if the whistle blows. This is again a sign that the diode is weak.

5

I too have the Winter Wonderland set. From the CW-80 track U should go to the outer track.