Lionel Train Forum - Lionel Trains




Author Topic: Lionel Type VW transformer whistle switch  (Read 2012 times)

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2
    • View Profile

  • Total Badges: 3
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Level 1 First Post
Lionel Type VW transformer whistle switch
« on: December 13, 2020, 05:56:05 pm »
Hello. I have a Lionel Type VW transformer and the whistle switch does not activate the whistle on my Polar Express engine. I know the whistle in the engine works because it sounds with the transformer that came with the set (CW-80).
I put a meter on the VW transformer and the original CW-80 and got 8.5/11.3 VAC at 3/4 throttle- 8.5 Volts then 11.3 with whistle switch activated. Then I got the same results with the VW transformer. But the whistle works with the CE-80 but not with the VW. Why would that be?

Share on Bluesky Share on Facebook


  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 491
    • View Profile
  • Scale(s) Modeled: 0 scale

  • Total Badges: 19
    Badges: (View All)
    Seventh year Anniversary Sixth year Anniversary Fifth year Anniversary
Re: Lionel Type VW transformer whistle switch
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2020, 06:27:59 pm »
Welcome to the forum!

Your problem could be caused by either of two things - the whistle rectifier could be bad in your transformer, or the wires from the transformer to the track may need to be reversed.

Reverse the wires first to see if the whistle blows on your engine. If it does not, the whistle rectifier may need to be replaced.

The whistle rectifier puts a DC voltage on the track. You need to set your voltmeter to read DC volts to check if the whistle rectifier is working. You should read about 5 volts DC on the track when you press the whistle button.


Larry
« Last Edit: December 13, 2020, 06:31:57 pm by TrainLarry »

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2
    • View Profile

  • Total Badges: 3
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Level 1 First Post
Re: Lionel Type VW transformer whistle switch
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2020, 08:48:29 pm »
Thanks Larry, I’ll try that in the morning.

 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
0 Replies
724 Views
Last post March 20, 2017, 05:08:37 pm
by Hanks132
0 Replies
1646 Views
Last post January 28, 2024, 09:46:45 am
by billynohat

Member Photos

Recent Threads

Re: Where is Reversing Gear on Santa Fe Diesel? by aaganz
Today at 05:18:44 pm

Horn Operation in Santa Fe diesel?? by aaganz
Today at 05:16:32 pm

Battery powered train by MikeW101
January 07, 2026, 04:36:07 pm

Re: Where is Reversing Gear on Santa Fe Diesel? by aaganz
December 29, 2025, 12:18:24 pm

Re: Where is Reversing Gear on Santa Fe Diesel? by aaganz
December 28, 2025, 08:54:05 am

Menu


Donate to LTF Here

Lionel Trains

Lionel Train Forum - Model Train Forum

©2012-2023  LionelTrainForum.com