Just bought a beautiful Lionel Santa Fe Sd40 looks new. Operates great in forward and reverse but when in neutral there is a buzzing sound. Some of my the older Lionel engines I've had in the past did the same. Just wondering if this is normal. Doesn't buzz when moving.
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The first SD40 Lionel made was the 8265 (I think that's the number on the can) Santa Fe. It had a single Pullmor motor and a mechanical e unit. If that is the engine you have, than the buzzing would be normal. It is possible it is buzzing when it is running too, but is drowned out by the motor running.
If they've made a newer model SD40 in the roadname, I don't know if it would be normal or not.
J White
Its the E-Unit. Thats normal.
However, you can install a 400V Single phase bridge rectifier between the motor and the E unit to quiet it down. Done several of my collector line Lionel MPC era engines and the buzzing is gone.
Thanks, that's great news. Love this engine big and beautiful, just might have to put the rectifier in.
The latest issue of the "other magazine" has the article on the back page on how to perform this. Well worth it.
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