LionChief Reading 0-8-0 #1493 Sound Stopped (OBS Date 08/21/2020)

Hi all,

Merry Christmas!

Purchased a Lionel LionChief Reading 0-8-0 #1493 from Charles Ro Trains in Malden, MA on 12/22/2020.

We use it once per year on a 4x8 plywood sizeayout around the Christmas Tree with two FastTrack type track loops with three switches, one siding.

We operate a Lionel LionChief SuperChief passenger train set (2018) and this steam locomotive freight set in opposite directions on each of the two loops.

We take care to pack away in the original boxes each year and all Lionel trains are kept in a climate controlled closet.

This year on 12/22 (yup, the anniversary date of getting it two year ago!), our son noticed and mentioned that the sound was intermittent on the Lionel LionChief Reading 0-8-0 #1493 engine/tender. The sound stopped working and has not come back since.

We attempted the simple corrective steps of checking the sound on the remote control, the switch under the engine, reconnecting the coupler, and nothing has made the sound return.

What is causing this sound stopped issue?

What is the best option to get it repaired?

(We live 30 miles west of the Charles Ro store, and can easily take it to the store.)

Is there a known issue with the sound stopping on the Lionel LionChief Reading 0-8-0 #1493 (2020 model year)?

What is the approximate cost to repair this sound issue? (We purchased for $200, so is buying a different type of Lionel LionChief engine best? What is the difference with a LionChief+ model?)

Bottom-line...it's a first world issue! The Lionel LionChief engine still operates well and pulls the six freight cars around the loops! We enjoy watching the two O gauge trains travel around the tree in opposite directions. Simple, relaxing, and fun!

It would be nice to have the sounds work again, but not crucial.

Have a happy, healthy, & safe 2023!

Thanks in advance for people's replies!

Team Kavanagh of Maynard, Massachusetts.

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12/27/2212:52 PM

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Vernon BarryOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I know exactly what the fault is, you likely have a broken wire under the heatshrink of the drawbar to the tender. Running in an oval with standard curves and then straights causes the wires to flex over and over and over each lap. Eventually they break because the factory heatshrink is not effective strain relief.

Worse- follow my warning, stop running it. These 0-8-0 engines use tender ground pickups in the same connector. If that speaker shorts to outside rail pickup it blows the amplifier or the entire Lionchief board. You should have stopped running the instant it became intermitent.

Again STOP RUNNING and get it fixed.

Your money, your time, your dead engine and even more expensive repair if that wire does short.

12/27/221:24 PM

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Vernon BarryOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Right here, an example of a similar engine and again why I say fix it right, stop running it, or otherwise there is risk of a short that causes an even bigger problem https://ogrforum.com/...el-army-0-8-0-repair

12/27/222:37 PM

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Team KavanaghOGR Forum Member

Vernon Barry,

Thank you very much for the prompt reply!

This forum is a superb resource for O gauge model railroading! Especially for individuals with little to no O gauge model railroading experience. We simply enjoy watching our two O gauge Lionel LionChief trains travel around the Christmas Tree each year. Our young son (10 yrs old now) enjoys controlling the engines with the train cars, pulling into & out of the siding (we are going to add one more siding soon) and controlling the two trains to switch between the two loops on the 4 x 8 plywood size layout under the tree.

If we had a basement rather than a slab ranch, we would build a plywood platform and operate the trains all year.

We will stop operating & remove the Lionel LionChief Reading 0-8-0 #1493 and drive to Charles Ro Train store in Malden, Massachusetts to get it repaired.

Appreciate the information and the added link to the same sound issue (and engine board short) to another Lionel LionChief 0-8-0.