Lionel Training Course

It's been over 3 years since Lionel has offered a course, no real explanation why (a few theories) and it doesn't appear that there will be one anytime soon.

MTH offers them at least once a year it seems

I have emailed them several times about this topic.

There is a rumor they might be having online down the road.?

I think the move to NC has pushed this to the background.

Ben

Just curious, what is the typical cost to attend a training from Lionel or MTH?

And what are the ongoing requirements to be "authorized"?

Thanks,

Alan

It usually doesn't cost anything for the actual course.  However, the equipment you'll need will cost you.

I went to the MTH ASC course, a year ago, the course was free, but by the time I left I had spent over $1,000 for the test equipment, a Z4000, and of course transportation and lodging.

I seem to remember that for the Lionel classes you had to be sponsored by a Authorized Lionel Dealer

Yes,

You need to go as a person from an authorized MTH dealer.  They just don't teach you because you want to learn.

Although its fun!

Ben

Somehow I don't think being sponsored by an "authorized MTH dealer" will necessarily help you attend the Lionel Training Course, the original poster inquired about.

You never know, they might want to corrupt you.

GRJ: Being retired, it might be fun to take one of these classes and maybe even do repairs for others some day...

What types of test equipment did you need to purchase besides the requisite VOM and various small hand tools/chip pullers/soldering stations etc?

Actually a VOM is all you really need. Lionel discourages against component level repair. That doesn't mean you can't do that if you have the skills but the course is more about quick diagnoses and replacement at board level.

They also offered a test jig you could buy to help verify if a board was functioning or not.

I opted to build my own.

If you see that the courses is going to be offered again I would suggest going to the documentation thread in the TMCC/Legacy forum and search for the prints of the various boards used and start memorizing pinouts.

Pete

And is there a sort of minimum level of proficiency needed to attend one of these courses?  I'm assuming these aren't meant for the complete novice.

- Mike

When I went to the MTH classes, there were pretty much all levels there, though everyone had had stuff apart and back together again.  The test equipment I purchased was the PS/2 and PS/3 test sets, together they cost more than $500 for the two.  However, they're invaluable for working on the MTH PS/2 & PS/3 stuff, you can quickly see if a board is bad or it's something else. I also picked up a Z4000, they were priced far less than wholesale for course attendees, it was hard to pass it by. 

As far as TMCC repairs, I have done lots of board level repairs on those, and like Pete I built my own test stand that I can plug in boards and test.  Basically, it's just a complete locomotive guts on a board with switches for chuff, a motor, electrocouplers, lights, etc.  I just use a bulb for the smoke unit, I can see when the boost comes on and when it drops back, etc.  I also have some umbilical cords coming out to test stuff like stand-alone audio boards and the like.

I'd love to see Lionel offer the course again, but I haven't even heard a whisper of the possibility.