Jim Waterman posted:The real bugger is probably that EMD811 'bug' on the other board. It's a low current part for switching direction and made for 'toys'. Sometimes these devices get 'stuck' on when they burn out.
Right. The 8-legged black component on the back of the board is essentially a solid-state (as in no-moving-parts) DPDT switch. It has 3 "positions" or states. It either (1) blocks the incoming DC voltage from reaching the motor (center-off of the DPDT switch), (2) passes the DC voltage in the forward polarity (DPDT switch flipped one way), or (3) passes the DC voltage in the reverse polarity (DPDT switch flipped the other way).
Problem is the EMD811 is apparently obsolete or at least is very difficult to find based on a web-search. That's probably why you can't get a replacement board from Lionel. The 213 manual is dated 2002 which should be a clue!
For DIY'ers who enjoy whiffing solder fumes and messing with components, there are similar IC chips that are widely available. The generic name would be an "H-bridge motor driver". One that appears to have taken the Arduino community by storm is the L9110s if eBay is any indication - hundreds of listings for L9110s modules for about $1. And for that you even get two motor driver chips on the module.
There's some homework to be done to splice this or similar module into the 213 so it's not a slam dunk. But it would allow use of the existing spring lever switch...or as someone suggested perhaps two momentary push-button switches - press one button to lift, press other button to lower.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled program...
