In need of a product repair?

Great News Mike! how about K line locomotives?

Cool Mike, I'll bet you get buried in repairs in short order!

K-Line is feasible, not sure how much I can do with K-Line Cruise though, not much available for that any longer, but hey! The more the merrier right? 

I do want to stress that I will be staying out of the TMCC upgrade market for now. You guys seem to have a good business out there doing that and I am not looking to put a damper on what exists today. Just repairs (perhaps some smoke unit upgrades for the older 8057 fan driven units, etc. I do not believe Lionel is taking out of warranty repairs, so here's an opportunity to get things fixed (that are not under warranty). Accessories are not out of the question either, providing there is parts availability of course! 

Thanks guys,

Mike

When I get a K-Line cruise with a dead module, I usually stick the ERR CC-M into it.  Occasionally, there are other functions on the cruise module that require some extra circuitry, but it's a way to get them running again.

Only you John would have the temerity to tell Mike how to fix trains. Seriously?

Pete

John,

Ditto. At one point in time I had the programming codes for K-Line cruise, but who knows where they are today! If its hardware related I typically do the same or worst case scenario drop a $40.00 DCDR in there (it kinda stinks though, as you need to build a new PWM cable, but thats far better than stringing together a gaggle of micro LED's and resistors any day!). I have not met a train yet that I have not been able to fix. I do, however, have some locos that just don't like me. I am sure you have encountered them as well, the ones where the details fall off when they see you looking in their general direction! 

Thanks,
Mike

Mike, that's why I was surprised that you mentioned Atlas.  Some of their locomotives have a lot of fragile stuff on them, and I seem to spend a lot of time trying not to break that stuff rather than fixing them.   I cringe whenever one of those comes in for repair!

Great news. Thanks mike. So being in NC I guess you can get lionel parts very easly. Not to mention you have connections. 

Yeah, getting parts is easy. Not to mention I brush the teeth of the guy who architected that entire service parts platform (and subsequently named 70% of every part on it!), so he knows where to look when it comes up and says "unavailable"! 

Thank You and God bless you!!!!

How about repairs for Sunset/3rd Rail steam locomotives with the "EOB electronics" ? 

Mikado posted:

Not to mention I brush the teeth of the guy...

Doesn't he take exception to that?

You accepting apprentices?

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Cool Mike, I'll bet you get buried in repairs in short order!

Yeah, I wonder how long until he's booked up for the next six months? Mikes mailbox is probably filling up fast.

This is great news Mike! I'm convinced my good service/parts experiences in the past were due to your involvment in the "operation" at that time.

Mike,

Do you have a non compete agreement with Alex???:

Glad to know that you're back among us.

Richard

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Mike, that's why I was surprised that you mentioned Atlas.  Some of their locomotives have a lot of fragile stuff on them, and I seem to spend a lot of time trying not to break that stuff rather than fixing them.   I cringe whenever one of those comes in for repair!

Those spring loaded wheel pick ups...what a pain...labor intensive

Guys, this should be great news for many.  Mike is the man.      Big Mike taught me everything I know about the Lionel products.   

Now Mike,  I seem to recall a story about a Allegheny you was soliciting offers to flatten it with a press around 2008  (During Lionel Service Class in Ohio)???

Jim

Jim,

Ah, yes, the JLC Allegheny, my arch nemesis TMCC locomotive. The trailing truck obliterates the SPDT swirches under the firebox in shipping (and what a real treat it is to remove the motor and everything around it to replace them!) It seems no matter how well you package it, it happens!

You are correct, I do believe I offered up a flattened loco during the service training classes. LOL. Can't believe you still remember that! Those classes were a lot of fun!

thanks for recalling the memory!

Mike

Hi Mike

  Just wanted to let you know I'm only a phone call away if you should need any help LOL!!! . All jokes aside Mike over the years has spent so much time teaching me how to troubleshoot and repair Lionel engine's, anytime I've had to call him he has always been there to help out. I've also had the privilege of seeing Mike's home and his HUGE! shop, His shop was bigger than my last home!.

Good Luck buddy, Alex

This is good news Alex.  Now when we get a real dog repair job, we can send it to Mike!

Thanks John, you're the best! (not). I am no more a fan of dog repairs than the next guy! Ask Marty Fitzhenry, he'll confirm what I have always told him; what the difference between a good tech and a great tech is:  (A great tech knows what not to touch!). All my years at TAS, then Lionel, believe me, I know what to say yes to and what to say "send it to Gun Runner John" to!  LMAO!

I suppose we all have the divine opportunity to suffer through some nightmare repairs in our lives. Fortunately (or unfortunately) I have had the displeasure of suffering through enough to know what can be done (for a reasonable amount of time versus pay off) and what is just going to get outrageously expensive (and by email to boot without ever seeing it!). Should be fun, just hoping to help some folks out in the long run with fast reliable repair services. 

Thanks,
Mike

There are a lot of people that are very happy to see you jump into the fire Mike, I'm sure you'll be plenty busy.  I'm saddened that I can't send you the stinkers, but then you'll surely get plenty of your own to deal with without my help.

Thats funny, Ive got a dog that has me chasing my tail on the bench right now. I have to stop work, change to a different project and find success in that one before I can find success on these.

 Mike,

I know Marty Fitzhenry is a great (not good) repair tech. I'm  sure you are too. Somehow, i think you are going to be inundated in a very short time. Good luck with everything.

Erol 

Excellent news. My usual solution to a dead loco is to put ERR in it - especially MTH - but there are some that I have that are modern and nice and I wouldn't want to gut. So, if/when one of those goes bad, I'll have another source of competent help. 

Wow two excellent choices Mike and Alex. 

Wow Mike, this is great news. I also think right now you have a 25 emails that you didn't have yesterday. But, with Lionel not taking repairs this will help us repair novices! I just repaired on my own my 3rd FL9 and after I broke the air hoses and lost 2 screws it runs just fine now! 

Thamks Mike, 

Steve DeFilippis

s

Mike, I live by those words.   I have turned many away that were screwed with by people who should not own trains.    Fixing trains has been a job as I get hit with many.   My big complaint is people who get screwed by fleabay.   I get these calls weekly to fix the great score  and I will not bend.  Aside from doing repairs for Charlie, I still have my own guys I have been helping for years.

Mr. Reagan,

Thank you for offering to repair trains, for the people that follow this forum. As they say, the more the merrier.  The one thing this hobby needs, is good knowledgeable repair people. You fit the bill perfectly.

Mike has been a friend for many years.   The greatest honor was when he gave me the sign that hung outside Train America.  It now lives in my train room.   Now that Mike is back in the fix it game, many people will now have a good avenue to get trains fixed.   We can all learn from Mike. 

Good to know!

dk122trains posted:

Thank You and God bless you!!!!

Ditto from me, Mike; you did upgrades for me at TAS and then patiently answered my, er, overlong questions when I had a Lionel issue.

Unfortunately I have a long list of new ones! So great to hear that you are in the repair field now.

Andy

Thank you guys, very flattering to hear those kind words of encouragement. I appreciate everyone's support in this endeavor. In addition to repairing we also build some pretty cool layouts too! So if you need trains repaired, layouts repaired or a layout built, I know just the guy to help (I brush his teeth too!). LOL

sincerely, thank you guys, glad I can help  you all out.

Best,

Mike

Mike - Maybe someday you can consider paid repair clinics for those who really want to learn modern (DCS, TMCC, Legacy, etc.) repairs but lack the local dealer for sponsorship or anyone with experience.  I'd gladly save up for a week's course.

Not wanting to take away from your thriving repair service, either, but merely looking to learn 21st century model train repair from one of the masters.

Hey Mike, I'm so happy that you found a good home in our hobby and have landed on your feet that I'm going home to look for something to send you.

When I do I'll send you an e-mail first with a summation of the problem so as to get your feasibility opinion. 

Later buddy.

Great thread guys. I guess it's time to dig out the Lionel Acela!  Any takers?

J Daddy posted:

Great thread guys. I guess it's time to dig out the Lionel Acela!  Any takers?

This one's for you Mike.

Hey Big Mike,

I've got this PRR S1 6-4-4-6 Duplex #6100 (I think its #6-38024) that I need to find some parts for; and since you brush the teeth of the ultimate parts guru....

Your friend, Johnny C.

PS: Thanks for always being there for us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!