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I know I’ve seen similar questions here on the forum but this is my first experience with this type of issue.

 

The train: A Lionel Tinplate Corporation 262e O gauge loco (PS-3). Less than a year old. Has run great, nice sounds, smokes like a champ.

 

The problem: It derailed on a curve at relatively slow speed. Saw sparks at the front wheels area. Notably, my trusty Z-1000 transformer did not flip the breaker.

 

The symptoms: Runs fine and cycles through forward-neutral reverse. But NO headlight, no sounds, no smoke.

 

Questions: Assume I “fried” some electronics? What’s the best path to getting this fixed? Not sure this if is something I can do myself (doubtful) or need to send to a repair person/facility.

 

Any guidance /suggestions are appreciated.

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Thanks to all for the replies so far.

 

Chuck --  will keep you in mind. Thanks.

 

pennsydave -- Good idea. Just got back home after the holiday weekend and will try this. For that matter, I really haven’t spent time looking at the loco yet & need to check things out thoroughly.  

 

The other bit of information I should add is I live ~35 minutes from MTH’s Columbia HQ and am wondering about dropping off loco there for service. I know I’ve seen other threads with folks mentioning that they did this.

Originally Posted by Russell:

Arcs not popping the breaker :

I would definitely go for a Feature Reset and Full Factory reset prior to anything else.

Thanks, Russell.

 

So, I'm mostly a tinplate guy and run all conventional. If I'm not mistaken, the "reset" process requires DCS (which I don't have), putting the loco on the track, and accessing some system features.

 

Is that correct?

If you check your manual, at least one of them can be done with a series of Whistle / Bell button pushes, but the timing is particular.

1/2 second on, 1/2 second off, repeat until sequence is done.

 

But yes, with a DCS system it's easy. Does your dealer have one?

 

I will do it for you if you are in the Seacoast Area of New Hampshire some time.

Shipping it back and forth would seem costly to me, but I'll still do it If you can't find someone closer.

 

Originally Posted by Russell:

If you check your manual, at least one of them can be done with a series of Whistle / Bell button pushes, but the timing is particular.

1/2 second on, 1/2 second off, repeat until sequence is done.

 

But yes, with a DCS system it's easy. Does your dealer have one?

 

I will do it for you if you are in the Seacoast Area of New Hampshire some time.

Shipping it back and forth would seem costly to me, but I'll still do it If you can't find someone closer.

 

Hey, thanks for the offer.

 

There are some MTH dealers nearby that I can try and, as mentioned above, I'm close to MTH HQ here in Maryland.  Will probably end up going that route.

A satisfying, if curious, ending to this one.

 

I put the loco on the track and powered up (was going to try the factory reset process) and saw the headlight come on followed shortly after by the PS3 sounds. Started it forward and smoke unit began working.

 

So, not sure exactly what happened but obviously didn’t toast the board.

 

All is well. Thanks to all for the input.

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