Subject: Late model Lionel B6sb switcher has barely discernable Flickering Firebox glow even at night.
Reason: LED's are bent toward the front of the engine and not up against the firebox door with the holes.
Fix: Remove 4 screws, lift the chassis from the body about 1 inch (don't take it out completely, just lift it a bit) and use your finger to bend the LED's backward toward the rear of the engine.
Pictures:
Background:
About three weeks ago, I picked up a Milwaukee road Lionel B6sb switcher from a hobby shop in Philadelphia (all the big Lionel online dealers were sold out, so I was lucky to find it). I was so impressed with the engine: incredible slow speed operation, BlueTooth, great sounds, intense smoke, strong Flickering Firebox glow, etc. that I had to get another one. It was just fabulous. Good luck with that as dealers with an online presence are sold out everywhere. So, I figured I would start calling hobby shops that don't have websites as one just might have one on the shelf after a year and a half. The model I really wanted was 2031330 road number 525 PRR. I actually had that in my shopping card about 6 times in early 2021, but "punked out" of pulling the trigger as I have all MTH equipment and felt I would not be able to run it without a big investment in new Lionel controllers. I am kicking my self for not pulling the trigger back then. Anyway, a hobby shop in Easton PA did have one on the shelf (amazingly) and they confirmed it was part number 2031330 - PRR road number 525. I was elated! I had to pay list price of $699.95, and I got the engine in the mail the other day and put it through it's paces. However, I could not see any Flickering Firebox glow. I was so disappointed I thought I would have to send it back to Lionel for repair. However, one night, in complete darkness, i could see a barely visible red light through the holes in the firebox door. Hmmmmm..... I wonder if the LED circuit board was bent during assembly. So, I took the chance and made the repair as in the pictures. Now the Flickering Firebox glow is just like the Milwaukee road engine! Hope my pictures helps others with this issue. NOTE: The whistle on the PRR engine is different from the Milwaukee road engine. The PRR engine whistle trails off slowly: WOOOOOoooooo..... while the Milwaukee engine cuts off as soon as I release the whistle button on the iPhone. Both whistles sound terrific, but there is a difference.
