Animated Caboose

Thanks Gramps! I was HOPING modern technology would have improved this operation by now. GoldieSr

My American Flyer #49017 Great Northern Operating Brakeman caboose made in 2004 by Lionel still uses the noisy solenoid that is so loud that the "choo-choo" from my Gilbert steamers can not be heard when it is on the track.

Little Tommy

I think you have it backwards, Mark.  Put your caboose on the track and try it.

On my American Flyer #49017 Great Northern Operating Brakeman caboose (made in 2004 by Lionel) when power is applied, the noisy AC solenoid is powered and the little brakeman in pulled onto the platform. When the power is low enough, the solenoid lets up and a spring allows the brakeman to hang out over the edge of the platform. Thus the noise is always present when the engine(under conventional control) is running or in neutral (whenever there is power on the track), and the caboose is quiet whenever there is no power applied to the track.

If you run the caboose with an engine under command control, there is always power applied and the brakeman is always on the caboose platform whether the engine is stopped or running.  He will only lean out if you cut off the power to the track.

I don't know if all the "Flyonel" S gauge operating cabooses work like mine, but mine is really noisy!!!

Little Tommy

Yup, this works. The guys who run on DC don't have the noisy solenoid problem. Of course, it's always a good idea to keep the track and wheels clean to keep the solenoid from cycling. I believe there have been a few articles in various publications showing how to put an inexpensive bridge rectifier inside an "animated brakeman" caboose to stop the noise. It should be simple enough to figure out. Small bridge rectifiers are available from Radio Shack for a few bucks.

Perhaps someone on this forum has a link to one of the articles or maybe a simple wiring diagram.

EDIT: I found one article about using a rectifier to stop the buzz here.

I do not recommend running the operating caboose in command control as the electro magnet  gets hot and actually warped the plastic sleeve that the plunger goes into on the newer Lionel Flyer caboose. I had to take it apart and drill out the hole so the man would move again!

Thanks for all the responses, especially the one that includes a link to a proper fix. As I hastily ordered the "S" gauge version, I'm afraid it will be a shelf queen until the necessary modification can be implemented. Really a shame Lionel still uses this old, bothersome technology.