[grantkat]

Good Evening everyone,

I am new here and I have a question. I have been running a 1957 union pacific set since I was a toddler. The transformer is a lionel 1033. This year as a set it up around the tree, I ran into something weird. I run it off posts U and A. It would not run, so I took it to my bench and here is what i found.
If I put my multi-meter on the posts I get good solid readings 0 to 16 volts. if I connected wires to the posts and screwed them down and put the meter on the wires, the voltage went to less than 1 volt, i made a new wire and got the same result. now the weird part..if i wrap the wire to the post i get 0 - 16 volts on the wire, if i screw the posts down it goes to less than 1 again. if i remove the post nuts it goes back to 0 - 16...
the post nuts are lionel OEM and have worked for years. it seems the only way to fix the problem is to ware the wire vs use the post nuts..

i am baffled...any thoughts or advice is most welcome.

 

[T-Man]

The posts are riveted to plates. Over time they loosen up. Open the case and check the connections.

 

[ERIE610]

HOPE THIS HELPS

You are definitely losing continuity when one or both of the post nuts is being tightened down. As T-Man suggests. Open er up and give the connections a look see. With the transformer unplugged use a meter to determine continuity of the internal wires going to the outposts. A loose fitting wire can cause a high resistance joint that builds up heat causing the wire to become brittle or allow the posts to become loose in the plastic. Age may be a factor as well.
Probably an easy fix for sure.

LATER

 

[rkenney]

Here is a copy of the 1033 service pages. There are drawings with the component parts showing there connections. Should help you out:

View attachment Lionel 1033 Trans6.pdf

 

[grantkat]

Thank you everyone for the ideas.

I found the issue and it was not the posts. After trying several things I figured out the Direction?whistle mechanism was loose. The cover was pushing against it. After resetting the switch in the spring and pressing it together tighter, everything is running fine.

cheers! and thank you again

 

[grantkat]

Follow on question,

my 1033 has the asbestos covered resistance wire. I see that lionel replaced that with a "resistor mechanism".

should i consider replacing the wire?

 

[rkenney]

Follow on question,

my 1033 has the asbestos covered resistance wire. I see that lionel replaced that with a "resistor mechanism".

should i consider replacing the wire?

Why? If it works don't 'fix' it!

 

[TrainLarry]

Curious as to where you found the term ''resistor mechanism''?

Not found in any service literature, parts vendors or on Lionel's site that I can find.



Larry

 

[B&O Forever]

Thanks for the follow up resolution of your problem.

Also note, the circuit breakers are known to fail over time. I have external circuit breakers on my table.

 

[ERIE610]

LET IT BE

Asbestos is nasty stuff. The general rule is if it is contained and can not be breathed into the lungs then leave it alone. Breathable particles of Asbestos is when it becomes harmful.