So I have been waiting for the smoke unit to be in stock to purchase as my scale Hudson smoke unit has stopped working..It has said out of stock..Now the message has changed to : Small Smoke Unit with plug (O Scale) - DISCONTINUED... Is there a replacement.....Huh?

Just another thought..The Brass Shark, does NOT have heat syncs but I did heat sync them myself, but no change.. So I replaced the control bd..

The U33 blue/yellow Santa Fe I am having issue with does have the 4 power transistors heat synced together..Yet I am having this issue..Not sure which particular transistor is the issue, maybe I will just change all 4..? Thoughts..?

Thank you.. Bob

Does the same thing on the ZW as well.. This never did this before, seems like this just started a few months ago..I have over 200 Williams/WBB locos and am not looking forward to this problem if it starts to spread.. I would like to figure out what component is breaking down and replace it instead of the whole control bd.

Bachmann ... !!! Can you help ..

I havent gotten a response from you yet .. ??/

I have received my new reverse bd I bought from Dallee Electronics.. It is a 12amp bd.. It works great .. and yes this original control bd has all wires soldered directly to the bd..  No more intermittent operation with the replacement.

I would like if anyone knows why or what component on these bds also causes a perfectly fine running loco to start running half speed in the middle of operation.. No heat issue, seems to be a problem with a power amp on a contol bd .. I have a U33c and a semi scale Berkshire that does the same thing.. After running for 5-10 min it starts running slower.. Turn off or force into reverse and forward again, it is fine for another 5 min..

yes .. Thank you..You have been very helpful..  So you as well think this is a bad control bd..? I would like to repair it myself, I sure it is either a bad power transistor or maybe even the bridge rectifier..Funny thing the head lamp flickers slightly all the time while running but the pick rollers are new and soldered very well..

Update !!.. This stops dead after 5 to 10 min..Lights go out on the A unit, lights on passenger cars stay lit.. Wait 3-5 sec and this takes off again..? Looks like I have a ckt bd issue..Has anyone seen this before..? Like I said, this is a Williams Reproduction so it is an old style, the FNR bd has NO connectors on it and is all hardwired (soldered).. I have checked this thoroughly, there are no loose wires or any cold looking solder joints..  Just stops .. Motors arent hot, just warm from running for 5-10 min.. I am sure this is a FNR bd..Are the newer ones compatible..?

Any suggestions would be helpful..

Thanks,
Bob Banjany

I have a WBB U33c Blue/Yellow Santa Fe.. and I also have the same issue with a Semi scale Berkshire..After they are running for 5 or 10 minutes the speed decreases significantly... They have plenty of power running on a Lionel ZW.. They do the same if using an MTH Z-1000 or CW-80.. Is this a motor issue or a problem with the FNR board..? Maybe a bad Op amp..? Maybe a Williams tech can offer some direction..

Thanks,
Bob Banjany

I have just purchased New Old Stock Williams Reproduction Pennsylvania Brass Shell Baldwin Shark with B unit.. .. Gorgeous!! Slight problem.. When running for about 5 minutes it just STOPS !! Lights on but in like neutral.. You have to reverse direction and enter neutral 2 or 3 times to get it to move forward again, then it repeats after a few minutes.. Suggestions..?  I have lubed the axles, greased the gears with white lithium grease and checked the track pick up rollers..All Looking good and running smooth until it JUST STOPS ..

Help !!!

I have over 100 WBB locos between diesel and steam and they ALL squeal when stopped abruptly

Thank you Len..I just bought 2 brand new TB II Diesel versions online for a very good price.. One I will use to replace the issue in the Erie's ( I had posted -you assisted me)  .. The other I will put in a Lionel/Kline Diesel (GP-9 or Mp-15)


Thank you..

Can I install the true blast II in any manufacturer diesel ..? I am thinking ..yes..just need to connect the red and black wire to the pickup and ground..Is that all there is to it..? 

Len,

Thank you for all your assistance ..

Regards,
Bob Banjany

Len,

This is also not the first WBB horn I have seen issue with .. I bought a Scale 24 Canadian Pacific 20049 about a year ago that didn't smoke or whistle.. I had to change the whistle and smoke unit and actually they still don't work that well.. The whistle works but the bell does not.. The smoke unit in all Williams steamers aren't very good..All wiring seems to be in tact without issue..

Yes I adjusted fully in both directions.. This isn't dirty..It is as new as can be ..