Bell and Whistle do not work

[bmoorerph]

I have a Santa Fe Berkshire 2-8-4 and am using with a Lionel ZW series Transformer.  Bell and Whistle do not work and motor gets hot after running a very short time.  Is Lionel transformer not compatible with Bachmann engine?
Bob M

[phillyreading]

Bob,

Try switching the hook-up wires around from the transformer to the track, if that don't work you may need a differant transformer. Normally the wire from the one of the A to D terminals goes to the center rail and the wire from the common terminal goes to the outside rails.
Are you using the newer higher wattage ZW made Lionel?

If it is the older ZW you may have to push the whistle button between half-way and two thirds and hold for three seconds to activate the whistle control, also with the older ZW you can get only one feature at a time.

Lee F.

[bmoorerph]

Hi Lee,

Yes I am using a new model ZW Transformer.

Bob

[phillyreading]

Bob,

Even with newer transformers you may have to hold the whistle or bell button for up to three seconds, use a watch to time three seconds.

I am using a Z-1000 by MTH and find that I need to hold the button for a few seconds, it's a Williams thing.

Lee