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Train Engine Repair
Ralph models O scale and writes:
“I have two engines, a K Line Amtrak and a Lionel Challenger. Both need new electronic boards and my repair shop has had the engines for almost year and can’t get the parts. Any suggestions on how to get the parts?”
3 Responses to Train Engine Repair
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You might try some of the online resellers like eBay or Etsy and see if you can find a used locomotive that you could strip the board from. You might find one that is mechanically broken but has a working control board.
Your problem is a supply problem. Since K-line is a Lionel product and built China logistics is one problem. The second is the motherboard the used maybe obsolete. When a manufacturer places a order for a model the give the a total of units needed and from there they go down to each number for each railroad. Then comes parts. Lionel or any manufacturer has to order extra parts including electronics. Here is the problem if there a problem add they don’t catch it before the line runs assembly you have a bunch of defective locomotives and not enough to repair them. I would contact Lioneland tell them your problem.
I don’t quite understand what the problem is.
I model in N gauge and I’ve done DCC conversions and Sound conversions on locomotives. In most cases space requirements mean stripping out the original electronic board and throwing it away. Think about what the boards in your locos actually do and see if you really really still need them. In DC the wiring should be pretty simple, perhaps with the need to solder in a suppressor or maybe resistors if you have LED lights anywhere. And for DCC it’s just a matter of getting track power to the decoder and then taking leads to lights, loudspeakers etc. I guess the only problem is if you have treasured classic locos you want to restore to original condition…? Good luck, anyway!