Lionel cattle cars, especially vintage models like the 3656, are cherished by model train enthusiasts for their unique operating mechanisms. If your Lionel cattle car isn’t performing as expected, troubleshooting can seem daunting, but often the issue is something straightforward. This guide will walk you through common problems and how to address them, ensuring your cattle car is back in action.
Common Issues and Initial Checks
Before diving deep, let’s cover some basic checks that can quickly identify the problem.
Power Blade and Contact
The power blade is crucial for transferring electricity from the track to the cattle car’s operating mechanism.
- Inspection: Ensure the power blade is not bent, damaged, or corroded. It should extend sufficiently to make firm contact with the center rail slides.
- Condition: A “very good condition” blade, as mentioned, is a good start, but double-check for any subtle issues that might hinder contact.
Wiring Inspection
While your cattle car might have its original wiring, age can take a toll.
- Check for Breaks: Carefully inspect the wiring for any visible breaks, fraying, or loose connections.
- Original Wiring: While originality is great, old wiring can become brittle and less conductive over time. Consider this as a potential long-term issue, though not necessarily the immediate problem.
Track Condition and Power
The track itself is the power source, so its condition is paramount.
- Track Level: Ensure the track is level. Uneven track can disrupt consistent power flow.
- Ground Clips: Confirm the track snaps tightly into the ground clips, ensuring a solid ground connection.
- Power from Transformer: Since you’re using a ZW transformer and connecting to the “B” post, ensure this setup is correctly providing power to the track. Fixed voltage should generally work, but verifying the connection is key.
Diagnosing Contact Strip Problems
The contact strip is a frequent culprit in operational issues for Lionel cattle cars, especially if it’s been manipulated.
Examining the Contact Strip
- Separation and Damage: You mentioned the contact strip and contact paper being slightly separated. This separation, and especially any shearing or bending, can significantly impact conductivity.
- Paper Clip Fix: Using a paper clip to hold the contact paper to the brass strip was a good temporary diagnostic step to ensure contact.
- Bent Strip: Bending the contact strip upwards to improve contact with the solder joint might have inadvertently caused the shearing. A damaged strip will impede proper power flow.
- “Shoved Back” Section: If a part of the strip sheared off and was “shoved back,” this is a point of concern. A loose or poorly connected strip will likely be the source of intermittent or no operation.
Testing with Direct Power
Your attempt to jump a wire directly from the power terminal to the copper contact strip was a logical troubleshooting step.
- Direct Connection Test: This bypasses the standard track power path and directly powers the cattle car mechanism. If this works, it isolates the problem to the track power pickup or the initial part of the internal circuit.
- “Snugly” and “Wrapped” Connections: For testing, ensure these temporary connections are making solid electrical contact. Loose connections here can give misleading results.
- Fixed Voltage from “B” Post: Using the “B” post of the ZW transformer should provide fixed voltage, which is generally suitable for operating accessories like the cattle car. This in itself is unlikely to be the problem unless the transformer output is faulty.
Addressing Controller and Track Compatibility
The mention of the 6019 special track and controller brings up an important point about compatibility and operation.
6019 Track and Controller Concerns
- 6019 Special Track Functionality: The 6019 track is designed for accessories and includes built-in controllers. The fact that the cattle car works on the 6019 track confirms the car mechanism itself is likely functional and the slide shoes are making contact.
- Overheating 6019 Controller: Holding down the button on the 6019 controller for extended periods is indeed a concern. These controllers are not designed for continuous high-load operation and can overheat or fail.
Integrating with 364 Controller
- 364 Controller and Tandem Operation: Operating the 6019 track and its features in tandem with a separate controller like the 364 can be complex and might require electrical modifications or a deeper understanding of Lionel wiring diagrams.
- Simplified Operation Goal: If the goal is to avoid using the 6019 “Load and Unload Controller,” exploring simpler wiring solutions with the 364 controller and standard track might be preferable for regular operation, rather than relying on the 6019 setup which might be better suited for testing or isolated operation.
Conclusion
Troubleshooting your Lionel cattle car involves a systematic approach. Based on your description, the contact strip appears to be the most likely culprit due to the damage and manipulation it has undergone.
Next Steps:
- Carefully examine the contact strip again. Look for any further breaks, corrosion, or points of poor contact. Consider replacing the contact strip if it is significantly damaged.
- Re-test with direct power to the copper contact strip, ensuring a very solid and reliable connection. If it works consistently with direct power, the issue is definitively in the track power pickup section (power blade, slides, or contact strip).
- If direct power still fails, re-examine the internal wiring more closely for breaks or shorts.
- Consult a Lionel repair expert or your local train store. They can provide specific parts, further diagnosis, and repair services.
By methodically checking these areas, you should be able to pinpoint the reason why your Lionel cattle car isn’t working and get it back to its original, delightful operation.
