History of the Lionel No. 167C Whistle Controller

This may help you get started on your research.

http://www.tandem-associates.c...l_trains_167_acc.htm

Thanks a lot....That is very helpful.  Now I'll where to start as I re-read my old catalogs!

Lionel whistles were introduced in 1935.  In reference to the 167C, that is dated to 1939.  The plain 167 controller was from 1935.

Where do the 66 and 166 whistle controllers fit into that?

The 65 controller was made 1935, included in sets with whistle tenders, and sold as separate sale item.

The 66 controller was made 1936-1938, sold separate sale, or included in Standard Gauge sets.

The 166 resembled the 66, and was produced 1938-1939.

The 167X was made specifically for 00 gauge, produced 1940-1942.

Thanks, that is great information. 

I'd like to obtain a 167C.  Any suggestions?

There is a 167S version also. It had special windings to compensate for the heavy current smoke bulb in the '46 and '47 726, 671 and 2020 locomotives. The 167's work best with Z. V, and R transformers. The controllers consume 4-5 volts them self's and the 3 transformers listed have a max. of 25 volts output instead of the normal 18 to compensate for 167's.

Post script, I just noticed all the information I posted is available on the tandem website. 

Yet-another [very technical ! ] Q: Does any one know,  or know how to find,  the values of the copper-oxide rectifier's resistance [ohms] in each of the 2 modes [Forward bias/conducting,  and Reverse bias/non-conducting] ?

phil gresho posted:

Yet-another [very technical ! ] Q: Does any one know,  or know how to find,  the values of the copper-oxide rectifier's resistance [ohms] in each of the 2 modes [Forward bias/conducting,  and Reverse bias/non-conducting] ?

With those rectifiers it's more useful to simply check continuity with a test light. It should light a lamp in one direction only. Use any small lamp that will not exceed the current rating of the rectifier.

Those old rectifiers often [sometimes?]  fail with age [or damp storage?] and are best replaced with modern diodes.

I've found the old whistle controllers may have fluky performance with different engines; there may be noticeable loco speed change when pressing the whistle button. They add a constant voltage drop in your track feed from the transformer which may not work well with smaller transformers.

I picked up a 167 controller for cheap at a train show, repaired it and tried it out, and quit using it.

More info here:

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...controller-schematic

Those old rectifiers often fail with age and are best replaced with modern diodes.

So they say. But I have serviced lots of Lionel transformers and have run across very few failed disks. Plus I have an old plate style bridge rectifier providing DC voltage at my desk. It was old when I got it, and it has been in use at my desk for almost 40 years.

Here are the Postwar Lionel factory service manual pages on the 167 controller.
According to those pages, the most frequent problem is a burnt out choke.

ACE:  I posted above my desire to obtain a 167C.....Seems like you have one.  Can I buy it from you?

phil gresho posted:

ACE:  I posted above my desire to obtain a 167C.....Seems like you have one.  Can I buy it from you?

Sorry, not for sale. It's part of my collection of postwar relics. You should be able to pick one up at a train show/swap meet for a nominal price, which is how I got mine.

The circuitry is shown in a previous post by ACDX Rob:

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...controller-schematic