Greetings!
I am looking for some help with an engine which I am sure those who are adept with the electrical side of O gauge trains can assist me with.
I finally unpacked my LCCA New Haven Alco set from around 2007. My son and I placed it on the track and programmed it using TMCC. The engine reacted appropriately and we assumed it was programmed. We hooked up the remainder of the cars and proceeded to run the locomotive around the layout. The loco made one lap around the track and shorted out. We reset the powerhouse breaker and tried again. The locomotive and train cars would initially light up and then short out again.
We exchanged locomotives and they all ran correctly on the loop so I eliminated the track as the source of the problem. When I tested the locomotive off the track (hooking alligator clips to the frame and center roller), the light would come on but the motor would not run - even when trying the direction button. This made me think that the motor may be bad but I am no expert on the subject.
I am looking for someone who may have an idea of what may be going on. Any help or advice will be appreciated.
I guess the moral of the story is to open and test any trains immediately upon receiving them. I have had some locomotives repaired at the Lionel Service Center and am happy with the results, but I do not want to go through that process if it is something I can do myself.
Thanks!
dennis
