PW tender 6026W

The relay is a special relay. It must be the right kind; is it a lionel whistle relay?

Do you have other whistles/horn/bell that work right?

Transformer type? Do you have a multimeter?

All the Lionel whistle relays are design to work on 60 cycle AC power. The relay might lift momentarily when AC voltage is first applied, but should then drop out and then only operate when about 5 VDC is applied it.  It is known as a slug relay.   After the relay closes sometimes it will not open. This is usually due to the components becoming magnetized.  Reverse the DC polarity to the relay and that should demagnetize the relay.  Also a piece of tape between the relay armature and the pole piece will reduce the strength of the magnetic circuit and will help in letting the relay dropping out when the DC voltage is interrupted.  I have found most problems with whistle relays are high resistance between the transformer and the relay such as dirty wheels or rails, dirty or corroded roller pins, or stiff wire insulation lifting the roller. Or there can be problems with the whistle control in the transformer. If the transformer is still using the copper oxide disc rectifier it takes a fair load to get it to pass much current.  In this case whistles are best tested with a loco and three lit passenger cars on the track with the tender.  The old Lionel whistle relays were really well built and rarely fail. I would have more faith in the old relay than a modern replacement. 

Thanks David.  If within my knowledge base, I will try some of what you suggest.  I did add a loc as well as three illuminated cabooses, did not change.  The loco ran slower, the cabooses remained lit, and the tender kept whistling.  I will try other suggestions, thanks!

Stan

Adriatic,

Thanks for the response.  I hope it is a lionel relay.  It is what I requested but it did not come with markings.  I do have other tenders that work just fine.  And I did change transformers.  I will keep on trying to figure it out.

Stan