From tools, materials, and workbench setup to troubleshooting and electronics, well-known toy train mechanic Dick Teal demonstrates techniques for keeping toy trains from contemporary manufacturers in excellent condition. Includes steps for proper lubrication, TMCC/DCS troubleshooting, and the right way to replace traction tires, batteries, and light bulbs. It's the essential workbench guide for toy train operators.

Author Bio

Richard (Dick) Teal Lives in Horicon, WI, and is a retired manager of product development for The John Deere Lawn & Garden Division of Deere & Co. He earned more than 30 patents over the course of his career. Dick began repairing trains a few years before retirement, and it has since become a second career. He repairs modern electronic locomotives, accessories, and transformers for Sommerfeld’s Trains in Butler, Wisconsin, and has written many related articles for Classic Toy Trains magazine. Dick’s other passion is country freestyle couple and line dancing. When he’s not repairing trains or dancing, Dick and his wife Ann are visiting their six children and 14 grandchildren.

Table of Contents

Introduction  5

How to create a repair workstation  7
   Make a test track  8
   Choose a transformer  9
   DCS and TNCC  10
   Tools, supplies, and more  12
   Soldering tips  15
Finding parts and service information  17
   Lionel parts  19
   MTH parts  20
   K-Line parts  21
   Parts from other manufacturers  21
General repair and maintenance  22
   Sound systems  22
   Electrocouplers  25
   Fan-assisted smoke systems  29
   Pickup rollers and wiring  33
   Direct current motors  36
   Drive system lubriaction and repair  41
   Lighting systems  47
   Locomotive tethers  51
Lionel-specific locomotive repairs
   Warranty and service  56
   Electronic reverse units  57
   Pullmor motors  60
   RailSounds without TMCC  62
   Command-control circuit boards  65
   TMCC with RailSounds 2.5  77
   TMCC with RailSounds 4.0 and 5.0  78
MTH-specific locomotive repairs  79
   Warranty and service  79
   Electronic DCRU with horn or whistle  81
   ProtoSound (PS1) locomotives  84
   LocoSound locomotives  94
   ProtoSound 2.0 (PS2) locomotives  97
K-Line specific locomotive repairs  105
   Warranty and service  105
   Electronic reverse units  107
   TMCC and RailSounds  108
   Speed control  109

Glossary of terms  110
Index  111