2-8-0 consolidation won't run in conventional ,is ok in tmcc Why?

What transformer are you using? 

Lee Fritz

Usually the Run/program switch  is used as a lock out switch.   Make sure it's in the run position for starters.

The command base is turned "off" ?

Command base off and unplugged. 

Sorry Lee , I should of had that in my first post . I'm using a postwar ZW .

Alex , Yes command is off and unplugged.

Gregg , That is part of the confusion on my end . The manual says that the switch must be in the program position and in neutral. The engine is locked in forward !How do I get it into neutral ? Jim

Summerdale Junction posted:

Sorry Lee , I should of had that in my first post . I'm using a postwar ZW .

I looked up the engine info(made in 2001) and it should be good with that transformer. Are there any other freight or passenger cars being used with it? Take off all other cars and run the engine & tender by itself and see what happens. I say that because I had a problem with a command control engine but found a lighted caboose was the real culprit.

Lee Fritz

Summerdale Junction posted:

Alex , Yes command is off and unplugged.

Gregg , That is part of the confusion on my end . The manual says that the switch must be in the program position and in neutral. The engine is locked in forward !How do I get it into neutral ? Jim

Just slide the switch to Run and leave it there. ? Cycle layout power a couple of times... ,  doesn't that work? 

Thanks Gregg , but I have followed instructions carefully but no luck .Putting it into "run" is supposed to go back to regular F-N-R etc ,but all it does is in what appears to be program mode at a crawl only in forward motion as light brightens with increased voltage . Instructions say put it into neutral in program mode and work with voltage to get it out of program mode , but without neutral cannot accomplish same.

Try reprograming the engine ID in TMCC mode to see if the switch is functioning properly.

Dave

Thanks Dave , I'll give it a try . Jim

I'm not sure about the Lionel system but could the engine speed and direction of been inadvertently set by you and it latch up the conventional controls.

I have an MTH RK Decapod  that had pretty much the same problem with around our Christmas tree. The direction was locked in reverse and the smoke was very weak.

I took it down to the layout and did a factory reset and everything started to work.

Like I said, I'm not as up on  the Lionel system as I am the DCS, but maybe a reset will help.

I have one that only runs forward in conventional but fine in TMCC. Its been like that since day 1. A friend also had one that behaved the same way. Sorry I don't have a solution but hope somebody on here might.

Try this. Move handle on zw to get engine moving. When you get to the spot where the engine wont go any faster blow the whistle and hold the whistle button on and decrease the track voltage but NOT to 0 volts. Only about 4 volts less then what you were at. Then let go of the whistle and increase voltage. If the engine engine doesn't go faster then try it again.

These are great suggestions. I will try all tomorrow and post back what I have found . I knew that I would get great help from this forum . Again , thank you all . Jim 

Has this been upgraded to Cruise?  Or Does it have ODY?  If ODY turn off and test.  G

It has ODY from the factory George.

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...a3-8ac9-f663d8234b51

Thanks GGG , as GRJ has said it came from the factory with ODY . There are two switch's , one for smoke and one for run/prog. I do not know how to turn off the ODY . But I suspect that you may be on to something as that may explain the crawl that it exhibiting. And with the info that LIRR as added , maybe it only runs in forward when not under TMCC ? JIM

Very Early ODY did not have on off.  The reset of top speed that ZW Bob posted plus an R2LC reset first action.  If ODY can be turned off with TMCC worth a try, but I think that was later ODY. G

, maybe it only runs in forward when not under TMCC ? JIM

I doubt that very much. Dig out the manual time.

It took a while , but we finally got this engine to run in conventional mode . Here's what transpired :

          I had two of these Consolidated engines . So I decided to sell one on Ebay . A long time TCA member from South Carolina purchased it . I tested the engine before I shipped it out to make sure everything was operating as it should . Using TMCC every thing tested good . I did not try it in  conventional mode , but I should have . My bad !!! The new owner runs only conventional and was understandably dismayed as the engine would only creep along in forward when he ran it . I offered to pay for what ever repairs were needed , but he could not find any one that could help where he lived . I had him ship it back to me and through a process of trial and error , a friend of mine who is a trained Lionel Tech was able to restore its conventional functions . 

         First he replaced the R2LC board with allowed the engine to run in forward and reverse . The only trouble now was that the engine kept reverting back to the very low speed from the Oddessy control . Since there is no on/off switch for Oddessy , he had to disconnect it from the board . He also disconnected the TMCC antenna so it would not pick up a stray signal .  

        I informed the new owner what was done and shipped it back to him . He is very happy with how it turned out . I wanted to follow up on this thread as several forum members expressed interest in learning how to fix their engines . I hope this helps .Jim