I'm completely clueless with model trains. I have a Lionell "027" that belonged to my father when he was a child (probably late 40's or early 50's?) I do not know what "gauge" it is, or which forum to start asking for help on. The transformer has 2 levers, one is slow/fast, the other reverse/whistle. We (son and I) just set it up under the Christmas tree (first time in 10 +/- years) and anytime I power it up the whistle blows the whole time and seems to be related to the speed (slow/weak, fast/loud). I seem to remember this happening before but can't remember what the problem was but it seems like I was able to cure it then somehow. The reverse fuction works fine. Anyhow, anybody have any ideas where I can turn for help? The engine works great by itself. There is a coal car behind it that is the "whistle". The engine car has a switch on the top of it that I thought had something to do with it but doesn't seem to have any affect wichever way way it is placed. Coal/whistle car problem? Transformer whistle switch problem? Any help is appreciated. Thanks,
Jeff.
Jeff.