THE CHALLENGE

Does it 'chuff" when moving?  It sounds like theres no communication between the loco and tender.

Check the alignment of the I.R. sensors on the drawbar. If they're out of alignment you can gently bend either drawbar to correct this.

If that doesn't work there could be a broken or loose wire going to one of  the I.R. sensors.

Gunrunnerjohn will be along shortly with further recommendations

Hey Ricko, thanks for chimming in, there is no chuff as it moves and what I can see, it seems that the two I.R sensors are in alignment.  I will try to align them and see if that remedies the problem.  Thanks again. - Marshelangelo

I have the Daylight version of this model as well as an older TMCC AC-12. I did have some trouble with the IR connection on the newer one because the drawbar on the loco side can short to the center rail. But fortunately I have not had the symptoms you've found, which strike me as a pretty odd combination of failures. 

If the engine is answering Legacy commands to move but there's no chuff, whistle/bell and tender lights, IMHO that rather points to a board failure. It is easy to open up the tender (but not the loco) on these models but frankly I would not know exactly what to look for on the Legacy boards other than a wire connection that has worked loose. Under TMCC, by contrast, I would have said that your problems might just relate to a board component needing to be re-seated.

This is really a question for @gunrunnerjohn who I hope chimes in for the benefit of the knowledge base.

This sounds like the IR connection.  Does the tender sounds start if you just put it on the track and power up but not address it?  If so, that indicates you aren't getting serial data to the sound board in the tender.

I had a similar problem on an older command steam engine and tracked it down to the IR communications.  My repair was a bit odd.  I removed the red lens in front of the tender's IR sensor and then it worked fine. I am wondering if you could move the sensors closer together somehow.  I know the one you has heat-shrink tubing holding things in place.  You might be able to carefully push the sensor from behind or replace and reposition closer if that solves the problem.  The other option my be to replace the sensors, if this is the problem.

As John mentioned and alluded to, it could also be the connection from the IR sensor to the board or the communication board itself.

Let us know what you find.

If the LED and sensor are good and properly mounted, there should be no reason to try to move them.  They will work two-three inches from each other if they're in good condition.  A fairly common issue is a broken wire under the heatshrink, I gently tug on the wires coming out of the heatshrink, sometimes one comes out.  Time to remove the heatshrink, solder the wire, and replace the heatshrink in that case.

I just looked at the relevant parts diagrams on Lionel Support and can see why an IR issue could cause your problems. I also vaguely remember having a red lens issue on another steamer and moving the tender IR receiver closer, which was not difficult even with the shrink wrap. Obviously try GRJ’s test.

First of all I want to thank you all for your participation, and yes as soon as I turn on power the tender starts up without being addressed.  I didn't look at the tender at all, figuring this problem was connected to the locomotive itself.  I will check the tender's LED Connection and wiring and see if this relieves the problem, nonetheless I will let you all know what I've found out (If anything) later on today.  Thanks again all.  - MARSHELANGELO

Gd Evening Gentlemen (Hancock52, RickO, GRJ, DaveGG), I apologize with the late response.  I did remove the shell of the tender to the Cab Fwd and there was no visible wiring broken or disconnected, I put the shell back on hoping for a miracle but all hopes were dashed on the basement floor.  I believe this is going to call for a visit to Concord, NC.

D*mn. I am not sure what Lionel’s own repair policy or capacity is these days (I have not sent them anything for repair since Mike R. left) but there are people on the Forum who can handle this. Mike himself was doing repairs but I am not sure about now.

Hey Hancock52, despite the reality of Lionel's policy or whomever's, somewhere out there is a Lionel Certified Technician, Master Technician, …. whatever, there is somebody out there (GRJ, for example) who has the expertise to fix what I believe is a minor problem.  The train was $1799, I'm sure the repair won't be no where as much, i'll get it fixed somehow or come up with the solution.  Between the forum members and the sponsors, it can be repaired.  Again, I appreciate your efforts in helping me with this problem, and thanks a million to all of you.  We'll all be back on the forum real soon in some form of capacity again, so until then …. THANKS  - MARSHELANGELO