Vision Big Boy Coal Load Failed

Dave,

 

First thing to try is reprogram the engine, that might restore all functions.

 

 

 

Alex

if you open the bunker doors you can see the motor and gears, see if they are turning while the sound is running. I had a problem with my tender also, had a bad ground and a couple of pinched wires. I only had to send the tender back and Lionel took care of it in 2 days. 

I just noticed that mine doesn't work now.  I usually run with it in the low position but today noticed that it was up.  I tried the refill and then the demo mode and the load didn't change.  I turned the sounds off and I hear the motor working in both directions.  I flip the switch under the tender hatch and the motor sound stops.

 

Did you send it back to Lionel Dave and get it fixed?  How quick was it and had any issues with the repair?

 

Being a mechanical engineer I want to open it up and fix it, but it does have a two year warranty so I might as well make use of it, and see if I can get them to service the smoke units too as only the front stack is a solid smoker.

I have not sent the tender back because I am having too much fun with my Big Boy and am reluctant to give it up for a month jut doe the coal load problem.  I am also a Mechanical Engineer, I have looked at he photos of the components and decided not to temp fate. 

 

 Some time this fall I will send the tender unit back; just not sure when.

Dave, you may have a longer return time by waiting until fall. Fall is when the train repairs picks up, right before Christmas is the heaviest volume of repairs.

 

Good point.  I probably will not wait too long.

I hear you about having too much fun.  I love mine to death and the added sound reefer is fun.

 

You're user name should of clued me in sooner, I live in Mesa, and there is a fellow forumite in PHX with one of these.  Perhaps sometime we could get together and triple head these.

I would contact Gunrunnerjohn he has the same big boy you do and can possibly help you with ideas to check on your VLBB!

Alan

Sinclair, I have two fellow members / friends in the Scottsdale P&P railroad club that have the Vision Big Boys. They have not experienced any tender problems to date. They will probably be over at the McCormick Stillman park with me this Sunday (tomorrow).  If you are not doing anything else, stop by.

       
       


I'll be there tomorrow with the kiddo's in the morning before the AZ bake cycle gets too hot!

I agree with the masses.  I'd ship it back and let Lionel make it right.  If you're a veteran, Lionel will pick up shipping both ways.

 

Someone stated that Vision Line stuff was paid both ways for anyone, but I'm not sure that's true.

Lionel has trained repair Technicians, with the correct parts, if needed, tools, test equipment and there would be no charge for repairs/replacements if the item is under warranty.  

You would have to call them to find out what, if any, are the shipping charges and which shipment way is covered.

Ralph

Return shipping has always been covered on warranty repairs, it's the incoming shipping that's in question.

 

Shock. 

Dave, my BB tender just failed identically to yours!  This was different than the hiccup I told you about at P&P. The coal ran down and I started refil to reload it which it did but the sound would not cut off. I got the sound to stop by hitting (R) reset but it will not run the load down any more, even in demo mode. Additionally, now every time I start (power up) the engine I get coal loading sound unti I do a reset. Tried all the reprogramming codes And other tricks with no success. One other note, when in program mode after hitting set it starts the coal loading sound after the engine acknowledges with a whistle; makes me think it's a card issue and not mechanical. Guess it's back to Lionel for repair; hope it goes better than the Mark Twain did!

You may want to send the tender alone of you think it is the problem. Sending the BB heavy loco back and forth may cause more damage due to shipping...ask me how I know (Centipede)

I have a box for a water tender box that I plan to use to ship mine back.

Dave, sounds like a good plan. I'm supposed to receive the water tender with flag today (figures since without it's coal tender the BB is down for the count) if it will fit I'll use it's box to send the tender to Megan (Lionel). Guess Wild Bill we be the only one running his at the park for a while. Since our two failures are identical I am real curious if this is a known problem with the depleting coal tenders. Still, even with the blow down issues we had to work thru I have to say I love this engine! It is the pride of my collection and everyone who's come to the layout loves it.

Just an FYI; it is NOT a good idea to touch the rubber coal load while it is in operation, especially going down. It can mess up the winding of the fish line and most likely cause problems.