Others have more knowledge, but I know that the ZW-C has a gear system, one gear on a throttle handle, the mating gear on a potentiometer. The ZW-C was mfg'd with plastic brackets holding the potentiometers - and this plastic bracket could break, separating the gears for a throttle. I understand Lionel offered metal replacement brackets, but that they are no longer available. I would assume, but don't know, that the way the throttle handle's tactile feel while moving would feel different from a throttle handle whose gear was still mating the pot.
Maybe this post will jog the memory of one of the more knowledgeable forum members.
If there are metal replacements, I would be interested, as I have a ZW-C in storage for future use when my layout gets a bit larger. EDIT - I ordered two brackets from Lionel today (need two for one ZW-C) - order info below
| 6102859065 | BRKT-ZW POT.ASSY MTNG L&RH |
In the same situation with ZW-C problems as Lionel mfg'd, I believe there also a situation when using Legacy control of the ZW-C - the ZW-C could misinterpret a command sent to an engine as an emergency shut down (i.e. as if you had hit the HALT button on the Legacy CAB-2). Again, Lionel offered a revised PROM module you could install at home, but by the time I found out about this, these PROMs were no longer available. Would be interested in a revised PROM module also. Edit - emailed Lionel today to see if PROM or PIC still available.
