Dad needs help with MTH Train set

Consider this as a learning experience. Its not as easy as getting a board and putting it in.  Get yourself a Williams engine and put it with the cars from this set.  You can get a NIB Williams engine for under 100.00.

 

Just a thought,

 

Sunrise

I agree with Sunrise Special. Skip the repair and purchase another engine. Williams or postwar/mpc-era Lionel would be good options as well.

Sadly that is about an average price for a board. However to simply say go Williams is a favorite statement of the Luddite wing of the forum.

 

There are plenty of good engines out there with modern electronics but they can break. I would suggest working with a local hobby shop  to see what systems are available that you and your son will enjoy, Having a good LHS is invaluable to those beginning in this hobby. Remember if you buy locally and this had happened you could ahve gone back to them to help resolve it.

Any idea why its fried? Was it DOA or did it run for a bit? What type of engine was it. For some of the Ready To Run sets 120 is probably more than it's worth to repair

Sounds like a PS-2 bottom processor.  I do component level repairs.  It could be repairable at half of that cost.  I can be contacted via my profile e-mail, or replace with a locosound board.  So you may be able to get this back at a reasonable cost.  I am a MTH tech.  G

You could also remove the board completely, and install a rectifier and wire it for one direction ops or find a cheap reverse board on ebay.  There are may ways to  "fix" it and also many opinions as to which are best or even possible.

 

Don't lose faith,this forum should be able to provide you with a few reasonable options to get you back running.

I agree with G. He has helped me with this same thing to help reduce the cost for a customer. He does fantastic work.

 

Ralph

Like Dennis mentioned, get a bridge rectifier from Radio Shack for one direction operation, the bridge rectifier is less then $10.00. The size needed is 50 volt 6 amp.

Remove the old circuit board and wire in the bridge rectifier to the motor.

Most of the new engines have D.C. can motors in them, so you need a way to convert to D.C. current and that is what the bridge rectifier does.

 

Lee Fritz

If the sound is not an issue, you can get a small Lionel electronic e-unit and bypass the boards and have a decent running engine.  This is an easy fix.  Many folks on the board can help you with this.  You might want to see how much you could get on a trade at the hobby shop for another engine. 

 

KC

 

PS - Did the auction seller state that the train worked?  Seems you could return it for a refund if so.

Jeff,

 

Based on the set description having a Z750 and a remote, this is an older RTR set and quite possibly has a 5 volt PS2 board. If that's the case, $120 plus labor is a bargain for a repair.

 

Regardless, if this is a new set, the dealer should warranty the entire set. I'd return it if at all possible.

PS2 and "control"? That the stick control?..just curious.

The auction in question- was the engine stated as "runs/ran fine", or was it "untested"...ran or runs fine would get you the refund but the return shipping would be on your dime{thanks Ebay!}.

I'm going to guess the sound and control was the selling feature- price too.

I have an 8 yr old son- and he likes sound too....meaning me as well.

 

Pats trains, a member here as well as a store front owner, has had alot of sales on williams engines, though mostly diesels. All those get for sounds is the bell and horn- no motor.

The Rebel:

 

You have no e-mail in your profile, so I will post my thoughts here.

 

(1) Go with GGG

(2) Look around for plan B - another engine.  If it must have sound and smoke, that may be a bit of an investment - but then it may be worth it.

 

My suggestions to keep cost low on a replacement:

Erie was ultimately part of NYC, so this would work with your set:  http://www.trainworldonline.co...ire-2-8-4-erie-40501

 

If you did not care what road name lead your train, then try this one: http://www.trainworldonline.co...urbine-prr-681-40498

 

If you want to switch out to a diesel engine, then try this one:

 

(has diesel sounds, bell and horn; no smoke) http://www.trainworldonline.co...NYC-with-Sound-22901

 

or this one: http://www.trainworldonline.co...-dummy-a-a-set-22613

 

or this one:  http://www.trainworldonline.co...my-a-a-set-nyc-20510

 

or this one : http://www.trainworldonline.co...-dummy-a-a-set-21906

 

 

If you switch to diesel and don't care about the road name not matching, there are 8 road names to choose from at this price: http://www.trainworldonline.co...stern-maryland-22110

 

or this one: http://www.trainworldonline.co...age-rio-grande-21813

 

or this one: http://www.trainworldonline.co...esel-new-haven-22213

 

Good luck.

 

 

Thanks for all the links cooper. I'll surely look into one of them if I am unable to fix this one. And thanks again for the replies from the rest of the members. I am working with one of the members on a possible fix and will let everyone know how it turns out.

Typically on E bay you can find a steam or diesel locomotive "buy it now" for 60 to 100.  Many are "new". some of these are from guys who buy the set new and then part out the locomotive and cars, For some new means they bought it but didn't use it( or maybe used it a little, or maybe got it from an estate sale, etc)

   Most ebay sellers will take it back if something is wrong because it cost them more to sell on ebay if people complain.  All IMO; Don

Just a quick update. After getting the engine and tender back from the hobby shop I was able to determine this set up uses the Loco Sound instead of the Proto Sound that was shown in the link I posted. Apparently this set was not updated with the conversion kit like some others were. Hopefully it'll be a little easier and less expensive to fix. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

 

If your auction stated the engine was PS2 then it should be...but going by your link- that wasn't an auction.

Either way- if you decide to have GGG fix it, then you'll be alright.

Another update for anyone following my saga. I was able to pick up a nice diesel for my son before his birthday while I sent the steamer to GGG for repair. I would like to thanks GGG for all his help and expertise. My son is now the proud owner of two nice engines and plenty of track to create a small layout. I imagine we'll soon begin expanding and my wallet will begin shrinking. Thanks to all who offered advice. I appreciate the warm welcome.

Rebel i would say that the only other thing that can be suggested is for you to get in to the hobby also.  so you both can do something together.  and it will help to build a bond that games and electronic toys do not.  other then that have fun and enjoy the trains.  

This was interesting.  Despite other repair tech saying the board was bad, the locosounds board was fine, less a damaged smoke fan fet.  The smoke unit needed to be rebuilt since it overheated without the fan running.  The engine motor was shorted also.  G