Help Testing an Lionel Air Whistle

Have you tried using a newer transformer then the post war ZW?

Some newer whistles won't respond to the older DC signal put out by the post war transformers or your whistle circuit may need repair in the older transformer.

Try a Lionel CW-80 or an MTH Z-1000, as these are newer then the post war transformer. If you still have a problem the chance of your tender being bad is higher.

Lee Fritz

I suggest you try applying power directly to the whistle motor.

 I'm not familiar with the whistle you have.  But, have you tried to bypass the relay (assuming there is a relay present) and supplied the motor directly from the transformer?

Pingman,

The whistle looks the same or very similar to most any Postwar engine whistle

Will try the direct current

If necessary, disassemble the motor and clean the brushes, commutator and brush springs. Oil the upper and lower armature bearings. Disconnect the wiring from the relay to the motor and wire the motor directly to track power and check for proper motor operation. See below sketch.(Ignore wiring to bulb). Reverse the brush wires to get the motor to run in the proper direction if necessary. When the motor works with direct power, hook the relay back up and it should work with the whistle button.

Larry

Thanks,

I did find one of the brushes has a broken spring when I took it apart. Thinking it may not be making contact

I pulled the brush and spring from an old postwar whistle and it seems to work. That problem solved!