[davidkeith89]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but...

After finally getting all the track laid out this past weekend, it was time to run trains. We're running the new Lionel 5-Star General and the Western Union General, both LionChief.

Both fire up when power is applied, and both run well (well, Westie has a few gear issues, but that's a different post).

After about 10 to 15 minutes or so, the Western Union goes silent. No sound and won't move. Headlight is still burning. The only way to get it to do anything is to cut power to the track, lift both the loco and tender off the track, place them back on the track and fire up the power again. She runs just fine then.

Am I missing something here, or just ghosts in the machinery?

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Sounds like it's broken.

 

[DennyM]

Sounds like it's broken.

I thought it had the flu.

 

[T-Man]

Is the engine dependent on the tender to run?

I knew an engine that would stop for no reason. Upon inspection there was a bad solder to the connector.

 

[seayakbill]

If it is still under warranty I wouldn't mess with it. Contact Lionel for a RA and let them figure it out.

Bill

 

[davidkeith89]

Not under warranty. Being Lionchief, the engine needs the tender to operate.

Today, it's been fine. Maybe the connectors just need cleaning.

 

[Krieglok]

Do you have the model number? It will help with possibly coming up with a diagnosis...

Tom

 

[davidkeith89]

Do you have the model number? It will help with possibly coming up with a diagnosis...

Tom

It's the General loco from the 6-81264 Western Union Telegraph LionChief set.

It's been fine up to this weekend, to be honest, it doesn't get run that often.

But now that the track work is complete, I can keep both locos on the layout and run whichever I need to see run that day.

It seemed like odd behavior to me, to fire up properly when powering up the layout, and sit there hissing and clanking away for a good amount of time, and then just go quiet. The LED on the LC remote will then begin flashing rapidly.

Since the headlight is still on, it makes me think the connection in the tether between the loco and tender needs to be cleaned or adjusted?? Turning off the power to the track, lifting the entire loco and tender off the track, and then replacing it on the track seems to bring the tender back to life. The tender has no pick up rollers; I think Lionel removed them when they went LionChief with the General.

Yesterday, no issues at all, the only difference was the humidity levels were up a bit.

I'm hoping it's something I can deal with easily, the only repair facilities I know of are either an hour away in one direction or two the other.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

One thing to try is some conductive spray on the tether contacts. I personally use DeoxIT D5, but there are many choices.

DeoxIT® is a fast-acting deoxidizing solution designed for use as a general treatment for connectors, contacts, and other metal surfaces. More than a contact cleaner, DeoxIT chemically improves electrical connections. Cleans, protects, lubricates, and improves conductivity.

 

[davidkeith89]

One thing to try is some conductive spray on the tether contacts. I personally use DeoxIT D5, but there are many choices.

Thanks. I should have thought of that, because of my other hobby. Don't know where my brain has been the past few days.

That may do the trick. If not, then there's a deeper issue.