Lionel Pennsy M1 TMCC version

If it works fully in conventional mode, it sounds like a bad R2lc.  A very easy repair too.  Lionel sells the r2lc (C08 code) for 40.00.  Or you can get the R4lc (C08 code) from Electric RR.  Its a newer version which replaces the R2lc.  According to Lionel it filters noise interference out better.  Same price as well.

Thanks Joe,

 

I will order the part. I may even try to take on this repair myself, but I have no experience opening up these new engines.

 

I will have to look on the Lionel site and see if there are drawings for this engine.

 

One more question. Do we need to expect the electronics in these 10 old + TMCC engines fail with age and like of use?

 

Richard

Of all the TMCC engines I own, I only had one board go bad.  The R2lc in the TMCC K4 went out.  It is a simple board swap.  I have TMCC engines from 1996 (Pennsy Torpedo) and its still a great runner with all original parts.

 

The R2Lc has one connector which connects it to the motherboard inside the engine.  You simply pull off the old board and push the new one on.  I believe the M1A has 3 screws that need to be removed.

 

Remove the front truck first to get access to the front body screw.  There are 2 screws for the front truck.  That will expose the main screw underneath it.  Remove that screw.  There are 2 more screws under the trailing truck.  You do not need to remove the trailing truck to get to the screws.  With the three screws removed, the shell will lift off.  Be careful as there are wires in the shell running to the boards.  You will have to disconnect the wires by pulling the plugs out of the main board.  I believe they are all unique so you cannot mix them up.  The r2lc will be the top board.  Just pull it off and press in the new one.

 

Before you order the new board, check to ensure the antenna wire did not come off which is causing the problem.  It will save you $40.

 

Another option would be to open another loc and swap the r2lc boards to see if that fixes your problem.  If you have another loc (same vintage) it should have an r2lc 08 board you can swap.

I'd be a lot more inclined to believe this is some slight corrosion on contacts.  Open it up and reseat all the boards and connectors, that may get it running again.  It would be extremely rare for a board to go in storage.

Joe and John,

 

Thanks again. I will start trying to figure this out.

 

Richard

Well before I ordered a new R2LC I decided to take the M1A to the LHS for a little help with this problem. We put it on a test track that was about 4 ft long and connected to a command base. The M1A worked just fine in TMCC, responding to all commands.

 

It was suggested that I try replacing the batteries in my CAB 1. I replaced the batteries in the cab one, put the M1A on the track, and it tried to start up in TMCC It went down the track a little ways and stopped responding to TMCC commands. It still runs great in conventional mode.

 

All my other TMCC engines are working fine.

 

I had this same problem before with an Atlas RS-1 that quit responding to TMCC. I think they replaced the R2LC.

 

Any other suggestions before I take it back to the LHS and let them open it up?

 

Thanks,

 

Richard

It certainly sounds like the engine is having signal reception problems. I had something similar where the problem was a loose connection of the antenna wire. Moving the model around seemed to jostle it back into position (which is what may have happened when you took it to your LHS) but it came away again while running on the track. On mine it was the connection between the wire and the board.

 

Unfortunately, I don't think you can get to these parts without taking the boiler shell off and trying that yourself can be problematic, especially putting the shell back on without pinching any wires. The instructions given in a previous post are the same as for most Lionel steamers.

 

Thanks Hancock52,

I agree, my skill levels are just not up to opening up a modern engine. I guess I will try the LHS one more time.

 

Thanks,

 

Richard

Check the hand rails and see if they are gounding out. I had a JLC GG1 every time I put the shell on it would not respond. I used a continuity checker and found the antenna was hitting the frame.

I suggest you take your remote and command base with you as well, maybe they can check those.

Thanks to all for your help.

 

I think TMCC reception problems are the most difficult thing to trouble shoot and fix.

 

Thanks,

 

Richard

I agree, and it's always useful to know what someone else eventually finds is the source of the problem to add to your own knowledge base. This helps eliminate false trails in the repair and servicing process. So please post your findings/solution when you get that far.

 

P.S. No one has mentioned the dreaded "ground plane" issue that sometimes causes dead spots on layouts but it sounds more like you have got an antenna or radio board issue.