Funny, I rec'd a FA-2/NW-2 (part # 885-E004) Tru Blast II horn on April 8.  Installed it yesterday in my post war Lionel NW-2.  I have the same problem---as the loco moves around, you barely hear the horn.  The bell is slightly louder, but nowhere near the volume my other Williams horns make.  I also tried to adjust the volume control, but nothing changed.  Here I thought I did something when I installed it, but now I don't think so...
To Earl in VA.  Your horn unit does have the external diode(? or whatever) connected to the main sound board with a red, black and orange wire, correct.

Was wondering if any one out there has come up w/ a quick "plug & play" connector that would allow one to connect the yellow wire from one motor to the blue wire of the other motor w/o cutting, taping, etc.,  the wires, thus, allowing a EZ hook-up and reversal.......

Anyone?

GTBob

I've purchased 2 new WbB locos.  I just put them on the track and let 'em go.  They are both fantastic locos and work great.....

Good luck,

Bob

Maybe she'll give you that digital camera for Father's Day .  Then you can show us that nice looking set...

GTB

Got mine yesterday.  Looks pretty good, too....

GTBob

Now, now, now boys.  Lets all take a deep breath and relax.

GTBob

I have a WbW FP-45 loco that is the same length as your Trainmaster (17").  I run it all the time on 027 track.  It handles a 90 degree 027 curve without any trouble.  It will not work on a Lionel 027 switch as the fuel tank of the FP-45 overhangs too much and hits the relay housing of the switch.

As long as you can get away w/o using Lionel 027 switches, you should be fine.

Bob

I do not own the 15.5" passenger car you refer to.  However, I do have a WBW 17" FP-45 diesel loco.  I run this loco all the time on my 027 track layout.  The loco has no issues w/ the 027 90 degree curves.  There is a slight overhang, but no big deal(in my opinion).  But, this loco will not work on a Lionel 027 switch as it hits the switch relay cover midway thru the turn.  My guess is you will have the same problem w/ the Madison car as well.

Maybe this info will help.

GTBob

Hey Raider----

That's really nice work....

GTBob

This is good info for all to know.  I'll bet the diesel horn board is designed the same way.  Thanks for the heads-up.  Enjoy your your new loco....

GTBob

I use WbW, WbB and Lionel locos on 027 Lionel track to pull Lionel (mostly post war)and MTH freight and passenger cars with no problems.  All units couple/uncouple just fine.  They are juiced by a 59 year old post war Lionel ZW trans.  I'm very happy with what I've got.......  Just my 2 cents.

Good luck with your project.

Bob

Hello and welcome.  Yes, you'll surely be pleased with the Williams locos you add to your layout.  They make some real nice stuff.  Good luck and welcome aboard.

GTBob

Hi Joe

Did as you suggested---same results--weak horn/bell. 

Under power, I then started moving (slightly) a large capacitor on the reverser board and the horn became loud as before.  On my GP-9 the horn board is layered (sandwiched) over the reverser board, they are only a thread away from touching each other.  I'm guessing when I was removing the white plastic motor plugs from the reverser board, (I used Member C & O's tutorial on connecting the yellow and blue wires) I accidentally knocked the reverser capacitor into a capacitor on the horn board.  The touching of the 2 parts must have caused a short(?).  Anyway, I tested the GP-9 for 20 minutes and all is good.

Joe, thanks  for your help.  FWIW--there is a very noticeable difference in series vs. parellel wiring.  Nice slow easy starting, much brighter lights, horn and bell activates faster and still plenty of high speed.

Bob

Need some help here....Just converted my Williams GP-9 & FP-45 locos to series wiring.  FP-45 works great--no problems whatsoever.  The GP-9 works fine EXCEPT the horn/bell.  When activated you can barely hear the the horn/bell.  Before changing to series, the horn/bell was loud and clear.  I've checked all connections, etc., and cannot find anything wrong.  I also ran the GP-9 on the loop the FP-45 runs on---same problem, poor horn/bell sound.  The problem is connected to the GP-9, but I'm at a loss to find why......

Anybody got any ideas what could be wrong?

Thanks,

Bob

If the horn & board will fit i/s the shell, there's no reason it will not work.  One wire (think it's red) goes to roller pickup and the other wire goes to ground (metal frame of loco).  Good luck.

GTBob