[trtaubman]

I have a Lionel whistle tender with a Lionel 60 watt 1041 transformer. The tender will whistle when powered up alone but when I put a locomotive on and pull it around the track it will not whistle. If someone could help me it would be much appreciated.

 

[Big Ed]

I have a Lionel whistle tender with a Lionel 60 watt 1041 transformer. The tender will whistle when powered up alone but when I put a locomotive on and pull it around the track it will not whistle. If someone could help me it would be much appreciated.

Welcome to the site.
What is the number of the locomotive and tender.
Tube track? Clean?
Tender might be stamped underneath.

 

[Big Ed]

How big is your layout, how many switches do you have.
I think you may just need a better transformer.
The 1041 is a small 60W transformer that only has 45 or so watts of available output power.

 

[Big Ed]

You must check your thread once and a while, answer a few questions?:dunno:

 

[trtaubman]

Hi Big Ed,

The tender is a lionel 6026W and the Locomotive is a Marx 666. The track is a new o scale and is clean.

 

[trtaubman]

Hi Big Ed,

My layout is 4x8 with no switches. How big of a transformer would I need?

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

My guess is that the whistle tender needs some TLC to start. While it should work with a 60W transformer behind the engine, that assumes that the locomotive and tender have been maintained. Specifically, cleaning the commutator, making sure the brushes are good, and of course, proper lubrication of the motors is key.

 

[trtaubman]

Thanks I will try cleaning the commutator and checking the brushes. Thanks for your input!

 

[Riggzie]

Thanks I will try cleaning the commutator and checking the brushes. Thanks for your input!

i have 3 of them that all do different things... at first none worked..

i cleaned the contacts inside where the (relay??) is.. underside of tender/wheels and the sort..
now one is at 90%, another at 70% and the other makes a slight click so ill give it a 2% :laugh:

definitely start there... cleaning it all up and checking it all ...

i have a nice big zw transformer and my train at times will slow a tad when i hit the whistle!!!!! so yeah definitely will do that...

 

[santafe158]

I would bet that a little 60 watt transformer is probably pushing it with two open frame AC motors trying to run at the same time. You'd probably want to go up to more like 80 or 90 watts minimum. If you want an older one, a 90 watt Lionel 1033 transformer or a 110 watt(?) LW transformer would probably do what you need. As others said, servicing both the locomotive and whistle mechanisms would probably help a lot as well. The load being pulled by the locomotive (number of cars and lighted vs. non-lighted) could affect your current draw as well.

I found an old post on another forum about the same transformer as yours putting out less than the 18 volts it was supposed to. You may want to verify that you're getting proper voltage out to the track also.

 

[Big Ed]

Like Santfe said, verify that you're getting proper voltage out to the track also.

Clean the locomotive motor too.

If you add some lighted passenger cars and a few switches, the 60 watt will be too small.
Do you plan on just keeping a 4 x 8?
Or do you have plans to expand in the future?

If you get a larger transformer for the trains you could use the 60 watt to power lights or building lights or an accessory.
Don't toss it. :smokin:

 

[trtaubman]

Thanks Big Ed for the info. I’m planning on expanding in the future and will look at getting a bigger transformer.