Skip to main content

i bought my 4 year old grandson a Lionel lines starter set with a automatic dump car being one of the cars in the set.  I am a person who runs Postwar trains in the traditional method with a transformer.  

Much to my dismay, the set did not include the necessary remote control track.  So I go and buy one, and then realized that I need some type of transformer to activate the dumping mechanism.  And no specific instructions were given other than stating I need to make sure I can provide 10-12 volts power, and I need to have the train be stopped on the RCS TRACK to make it pull down the plunger on the operating car.

Can someone out there provide a little comment on how to make that happen?   Much appreciated.

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

A plunger type operating car will work with any type of track that has an electromagnet inline with the center rail.  If the set came with FasTrack, either the 6-12054 FasTrack Operating Track (10") or the 6-12020 FasTrack Uncoupling Track (5") will activate this type of car.

Although these 2 types of track pieces will work with the 18VDC wall transformer that comes with the set, using those is not recommended for two reasons.  Often these electromagnets draw enough power to slow or stop the trains and most importantly because these magnets can overheat very quickly on 18VDC leading to a literal meltdown of the track and or magnet windings.  Note: that before using these, make sure that the switch doesn't get stuck in the on (down) position (this has been widely reported as a problem).  If you're electrically inclined, adding a small PTC (resettable fuse) inline is a reasonable precaution.

A good source of power for these would be a small AC transformer set to around 12V and connected to the Aux Inputs of the Operating/Uncoupler track.

Last edited by SteveH

Add Reply

Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×