Weak Whistle on the Vision Line Big Boy

@Raven87 I appreciate the kind words. I think hot glue might be a decent option too.

Interesting find that 4-40s are spec'd. I never thought to check the parts diagrams. Good call!

👍

I received my baffle. I haven’t put it in yet. Curious what you guys think. I still have some Lionel one year warranty left. I was thinking if something goes wrong with the big boy, Lionel may refuse to fix it under warranty, when they see it was opened up and see baffle. I don’t have much warranty time left. So maybe I do baffle after the one year warranty runs out.

@Ron Casamento posted:

I received my baffle. I haven’t put it in yet. Curious what you guys think. I still have some Lionel one year warranty left. I was thinking if something goes wrong with the big boy, Lionel may refuse to fix it under warranty, when they see it was opened up and see baffle. I don’t have much warranty time left. So maybe I do baffle after the one year warranty runs out.

I believe there is a 5 year warranty on Vision Line.

@Ron Casamento I think that's a decent idea. Especially because we'll still be here to help when the time comes.

There are some issues with the 4 digit addressing on the Triplex. Consequently, I have not opened it up yet. I think it's a wise move.

Thanks all for input. I thought there was only a year warranty on big boy. So is it a five year warranty because it’s vision line?

@Ron Casamento posted:

Thanks all for input. I thought there was only a year warranty on big boy. So is it a five year warranty because it’s vision line?

Do what you feel comfortable with. I’m very comfortable going in and out of a locomotive so even if it goes in for another problem I’ll probably pop in and pull it out. But I’ve also had a time when a ground light was pinched from the factory and wire was burned up. I repaired it. Later on it was a batch of RCMCs that cooked the smoke units and they had no problem with handling the warranty with the other repair that was done.

to be clear Vision Line is a 2 year warranty standard LEGACY locomotives are a 1 year warranty.

@Dave 69 GTEL posted:

I believe there is a 5 year warranty on Vision Line.

Two Year.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Two Year.

Yes you're right. I was going by some word of mouth information I had. The warrantee page on the Lionel website does say Visionline is covered for 2 years. My bad.

Thanks Zhu l, that makes sense. I think I will go ahead and put in baffle. Like you said, I can pull out baffle if I have to send it in for a warranty repair.

Hi @BillYo414 , @gunrunnerjohn, and Others Interested,

After re-reading the journey in all the posts once again, just checking before I proceed:

Have Bill's original instruction basic steps understood and watched video nearby, then revise with the following TIPS:

- Screws - Bill's suggestion is use what screws Bill sent, testing first without baffle. If you get stuck - use M2.5 x 0.45 thread screw - WHAT LENGTH for these? (GRJ used 8 mm)

- Remove the two smoke unit screws rather than unplugging wire

- Remove zip tie if needed to fit around or on top of baffle - tape if needed (use Kapton)

- Make sure of baffle orientation before putting everything together

Anything else?

- Ken Gillig

I think you got it @Ken Gillig. The baffle has a recess for the speaker wires. It should face the rear of the engine. I think I covered that in the video. Also note that my blowdown smoke unit wasn't exactly aligned with the boiler shell upon reinstallation and I had to move it with a screwdriver/pick to get the boiler to seat. I think I covered that in the video also.

Only other tip I can think of at the moment would be to only put your screws in a few turns when you start them. That will let the baffle settle into position to fit the other screws. This is common in mechanical work anyway. You wouldn't/shouldn't tighten the first screw on a cover you're reinstalling. Then it can't align correctly for the other other screws. So start one screw, thread it in a bit. Then thread the next one in a bit. And so on until they're all in. Then tighten them all (technically in a crisscross pattern if you're trying to get that journeyman's card ).