40 watt. My problem is the whistle blows whenever power is applied to the system. Has something to do with the 50 Hz frequency which is not adjusted by the step down transformer. Can this be cured? Thanks Allan
Crafts & Hobbies - Lionel - 6-30068 North Pole Central Christmas Train
Answers & Comments
Unfortunatley a transformer will only transform voltages, step down or step up the frequency will stay the same. The only thing I may suggest would be to get a used computer power supply. This will transform your 50Hz to DC, then buy a power inverter from the US. Using the 12 volt line from the computer power supply you can then power the inverter which will produce a 60 Hz 110VAC voltage for your train set. Hope this helps
The whistle is in the tender that rides behind the locomotive. Look there to see if there is a switch (underneath) that may disconnect the whistle. If there is no switch look to see how it is connected. If it is the only item connected to a power roller on the tender then you could tape the roller up to the bottom of the car to keep it from contacting the power rail. If there are other items connected to that power roller, you may have to open the car and cut one of the wires connected to the whistle. I'm not sure whether the whistle is controlled by frequency or voltage level. If I find more information I will send a comment.
I do not think that your whistle is a "Railsounds" unit but the attached explains how a DC voltage is applied over the AC driving voltage to activate whistles/bells/sounds. If you have any DC controllers or accessories on your layout they might be causing the whistle to sound. My original comments would solve the problem by disconnecting power from the whistle unit.
If you are using a Lionel transformer that has a whistle switch make sure it is not stuck in the ON position.
If you have more information let me know by a comment.
Hope this solves your problem. Thanks for using FixYa. Please rate the solution. Thanks.
Not sure what happened to the first attachment. Here it is.
Also this is probably way more than you want to know (unless you are a dedicated tinkerer) but it tells what you will find inside the tender.