I was running my Lionel Reading T1 last night, when the Railsounds unexpectedly quit. I investigated further, and discovered that one of the tender's tether wires had broken off, flush with the connector. And so I now have two questions:
1: What's the best way to reattach the wire, given that it broke off flush with the plastic connector?
2: Is it possible to replace the plug-and-wire tether altogether, with a Lionel wireless tether? I know nothing about the IR tethers.
Thanks.
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Not seeing the plug in question, it may be possible to remove the individual pin from the plug with a small pick or jewelers' screwdriver and resolder the wire back into the pin.
The wireless tether design is completely different, and would require different boards in the loco and tender, along with the optical transmitter and receiver between the loco and tender.
Larry
As Larry says, no wireless tether in your future. It's possible to pickup the parts and just replace the tether from the tender.
They can be repaired no problem. Is it broken at the drawbar or in the tender? I will have to check but I think the connector in the tender is a 3 pin 2.5mm Leoco. As Larry says you can remove the pin and then solder the wire to it. If its broken at the drawbar there should be enough of the pin on the IR device to resolder.
Pete
It's not an IR tether Pete. 
It's not an IR tether Pete.
It's possible to pickup the parts and just replace the tether from the tender.
Thank you. Have you any suggestions as to a source for the plug? The Lionel parts website has nearly nothing listed for this locomotive.
Is this like the plug you're looking for?
No, it's not. It's a male 4-pin plug. I'd gladly post a photo of it, if my camera could take such closeups.
I believe your tether is no longer available. Yours is like the pic except yours is a 4 pin. You will need to make one or buy a after market.
Bill
I blush to admit it, but you're right -- It's a female connector on the tender. Interestingly, as I went to the layout a few minutes ago and examined it to make sure this time, another of the wires broke off in my hand. It wasn't even connected.
Bill, I thank you for the links to Trainz. I have just ordered two of the female connectors (one for a spare) and a male connector, just in case. I'll have to put some effort into making certain the new one's wiring is less fragile.
My sincere thanks to all who responded.
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