Lionel VisionLine Triplexes Repaired

Joe,

     Never assume, you should know what that means. Test the second Triplex would be my suggestion.

Good luck

JohnB

I just received an e-mail today with the same Diagnosis "Switch PCB for Better Communication" and Part replacement.  Mine should be on the way back home soon.  I will update once I receive it.  They also said I needed to update to V1.32 Base firmware (which I already did the other day), so fingers crossed!

Since I have a class light out and no whistle smoke, I guess I'll have to box mine up as well and send it in.

@Alabama Joe posted:

I purchased TWO VisionLine Triplexes,  one I had opened and tested.    It all ran great except for the 4-digit addressing and weak Whistle Smoke.    After speaking to Dave Olson I sent both engines in for repair.  One I tested for 5 minutes, the other was still factory sealed.      

Lionel  found issues with both engines and  replaced the ‘switch pcb’ for better communication between the tender and loco in 4 digit area.  In one of the Engines the Tender Smoke Unit was replaced after the Engines were tested by Lionel Service.  

Upon receipt of the Engines I tested one of the Triplexes. 4-Digit addressing worked as designed.   No wheel spin in opposite direction.   Not sure what else the technician did, but my Whistle Smoke works GREAt, much better than when I sent it in.  

Engines traveled from Alabama to North Carolina and back. No Damage.       Other than waiting for Nine weeks….    I am a happy camper.      I haven’t tested the second Triplex yet but assume it’s all good.    

Joe,

Was your whistle smoke weak or none at all?

Mine blows, but you have to hold the whistle button down for a couple of seconds.

Thanks!

@vrf201 posted:

Joe,

Was your whistle smoke weak or none at all?

Mine blows, but you have to hold the whistle button down for a couple of seconds.

Thanks!

Probably needs to be adjusted (thermistor distance) and also some had the seal at the hole misaligned and blocking the hole.  Mine was the same way until I fixed it.

@vrf201 posted:

Joe,

Was your whistle smoke weak or none at all?

Mine blows, but you have to hold the whistle button down for a couple of seconds.

Thanks!

Agree with @Sean’s Train Depot.     He identified the problem early and posted on the ORG site how to resolve as he stated above.          

@Sean's Train Depot posted:

Probably needs to be adjusted (thermistor distance) and also some had the seal at the hole misaligned and blocking the hole.  Mine was the same way until I fixed it.

Sean,

Did you post any pictures of how you fixed it?

Thanks!

P.S. Great YouTube channel you have.

Got my Triplex back today after 9 weeks.  Will test it tomorrow, but Lionel replaced 2 parts.  Interesting that they also replaced the smoke unit, even though I did not say anything was wrong with it.  They must know something's up with them, I guess.

@Sean's Train Depot posted:

Got my Triplex back today after 9 weeks.  Will test it tomorrow, but Lionel replaced 2 parts.  Interesting that they also replaced the smoke unit, even though I did not say anything was wrong with it.  They must know something's up with them, I guess.

Sean?   They must because they replaced my Tender Smoke Unit with less then 3 minutes run time.      Very interesting

Just to see in case it's a known problem (maybe spare part), I looked at the triplex parts break down and I don't see a cs-691-SGSB-A01-P anywhere (maybe I need glasses).

The smoke unit is there.

My .02 cents.

I'm impressed they already have the parts breakdown up for the Triplex, I wish some of the other new engines would make it that fast!

The Strasburg #90 has a set of cab windows as their parts list.  At least they know these fall out all the time and probably need to be available...

Full testing done today.  Ran in both 2 digit/4digit modes.  Ran each for 30 min non stop.  Every functioned worked and engine and tender in sync.  Smoke outputs worked great.  Cosmetically still flawless, no damage.  My first time sending in an engine to Lionel service.  9 weeks but everything works now.  Video posted on my YouTube page.

Hi Sean,

Near the end of your video (around 9:40), you stated the train brake and wheel slip don’t work now. Is that accurate?  I hope part of Lionel’s fix wasn’t to just disable the wheel slip feature. That is the one unique feature that sets this loco apart.

@Crazy Train posted:

Hi Sean,

Near the end of your video (around 9:40), you stated the train brake and wheel slip don’t work now. Is that accurate?  I hope part of Lionel’s fix wasn’t to just disable the wheel slip feature. That is the one unique feature that sets this loco apart.

No, it's the Train Brake in the App that does not work so you can't do the wheel slip through the app, just the Legacy remote.

The Train Brake needs to be fixed in the app, nothing to do with a particular engine. 

It used to at least work from a stop, but now with the latest update it does not work at all.

Works fine with remote.

Gotcha -thanks. I have the same Army triplex and have been on the fence about getting it fixed, until a solid fix was available. Looks like it’s time to send it in.

Do you guys recommend unboxing, priming smoke units, usual lubrication, and test running before re-boxing and sending my Triplex back to Lionel? I indeed would like the 4-digit feature fixed. I've working all winter getting my mainlines back in operation and am about 1-2 weeks from completing that; or I could request the RA and send it back brand new. I honestly would be concerned if they test ran it without the smoke units primed; even if I put that in the note I'd still worry as they likely don't have time to prime the smoke units and let the wicks soak them up - which I do with a 12 hour window prior to apply power.

@Paul Kallus posted:

Do you guys recommend unboxing, priming smoke units, usual lubrication, and test running before re-boxing and sending my Triplex back to Lionel? I indeed would like the 4-digit feature fixed. I've working all winter getting my mainlines back in operation and am about 1-2 weeks from completing that; or I could request the RA and send it back brand new. I honestly would be concerned if they test ran it without the smoke units primed; even if I put that in the note I'd still worry as they likely don't have time to prime the smoke units and let the wicks soak them up - which I do with a 12 hour window prior to apply power.

I wouldn't prime the units if shipping back.  A better chance of getting smoke fluid everywhere.  Do this after it returns.