New here, looking for advice getting my Tyco HO train working again (2025)

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thetravhi

New Member
  • Dec 31, 2020
  • #1

Hi, Everyone! Great site, just found it!

I just pulled out my Tyco Silver Streak train from back in 1980 (I think). I am writing today to get some support. My back up locomotive is not running, but it is very close. I just need some help. it is a Milwaukee Road (see pictures). When I put it in the tracks it will light up and everything spins, but it is not connected to the main engine. And, I am not sure how it connects to the wheels. Please see the pictures below, if you can offer any advice, that would be wonderful.

-Mike New here, looking for advice getting my Tyco HO train working again (1)

PS. My original Silver Streak locomotive only lights up, but doesn't move, but that will be for another discussion topic in the future.

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gjohnston

Slow Learner
  • Dec 31, 2020
  • #2

When you say “everything spins”. I assume you mean the motor and the shaft from the motor, but not the wheels on the truck. The second picture clearly shows the end of the motor shaft disconnected from the input shaft on the truck. The two gray pieces join together to form the connection between the motor and the truck. Usually the just snap into place.

boatwrench

Well-Known Member
  • Dec 31, 2020
  • #3

Welcome. This website is full of very knowledgeable people willing to help. I wish you luck, it does look as simple as gjohnston has suggested and the drive shaft has come apart.

A word of caution. My son-in-law brought over his tyco & AHM trains from when he was a child in the early 1980s. I have been assisting and offering advice to him and my grandson to get a layout working. The plastic on his locomotives are brittle and for every step we take forward something else comes apart in our hands.

KB02

Well-Known Member
  • Jan 1, 2021
  • #4

Based off of the pictures, I would say that you are missing a piece. There should be a dog-bone style drive shaft that would fit into the grey cups.
Something like this:

New here, looking for advice getting my Tyco HO train working again (8)

New here, looking for advice getting my Tyco HO train working again (9)

Also looks like you have the motor sitting a little too far forward in the pics.

dennis461

Well-Known Member
  • Jan 1, 2021
  • #5

Motor re-power gone bad :-(
And, I doubt it is a Tyco.
Looks like life-like.
Candidate for trash can IMHO.

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GeeTee

Well-Known Member
  • Jan 1, 2021
  • #6

3 options ,
1. save the shell , and use on an Athearn Blue Box drive.
2. remove the gears and convert to a dummy ,
3. chuck it .

Its main value is in the nostalgia to you.

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trailrider

Well-Known Member
  • Jan 1, 2021
  • #7

GeeTee said:

3 options ,
1. save the shell , and use on an Athearn Blue Box drive.
2. remove the gears and convert to a dummy ,
3. chuck it .

Its main value is in the nostalgia to you.

I'm afraid I'd have to agree with GeeTee. The motor appears to be loose, as well as the drive shaft connector being missing. You might be able to find an Athearn driveshaft part that would fit (possibly from Walthers or on ebay), but it might not be worth the effort. The motor runs on DC only, and if the rest of the set has a DC power pack, you'd want an Athearn Blue Box model. A used one, in working order, would probably be a lot cheaper than a new one. The shell might fit an Athearn Blue Box chassis, but you would probably be better to remove the gears from your model's trucks and use it as a dummy. Let us know what you decide.

bnsf971

Gomez Addams

Staff member

  • Jan 1, 2021
  • #8

If you're not emotionally attached to the engine, the best thing for it is to use it for display or weathering/painting practice.
If you really want it to run again, no matter what, we can advise you, just be aware it will cost much more than it's worth to do almost anything with it.

T

thetravhi

New Member
  • Jan 1, 2021
  • #9

boatwrench said:

Welcome. This website is full of very knowledgeable people willing to help. I wish you luck, it does look as simple as gjohnston has suggested and the drive shaft has come apart.

A word of caution. My son-in-law brought over his tyco & AHM trains from when he was a child in the early 1980s. I have been assisting and offering advice to him and my grandson to get a layout working. The plastic on his locomotives are brittle and for every step we take forward something else comes apart in our hands.

Yes, I am wondering if it is all worth it. But, when I look online for new ones that have everything this set has, there is none cheap.

I will post pics if I get everything up and running.

-Mike New here, looking for advice getting my Tyco HO train working again (13)

T

thetravhi

New Member
  • Jan 1, 2021
  • #10

KB02 said:

Based off of the pictures, I would say that you are missing a piece. There should be a dog-bone style drive shaft that would fit into the grey cups.
Something like this:

New here, looking for advice getting my Tyco HO train working again (14)

New here, looking for advice getting my Tyco HO train working again (15)

Also looks like you have the motor sitting a little too far forward in the pics.

That is exactly what I need! I have figured out how to remount the engine and there is definitely distance between the two gears. Thank you for the post! Where would I get something like this? I figured if I can't, I can print it on a 3D printer at school, but no access to it until after COVID.

-Mike New here, looking for advice getting my Tyco HO train working again (16)

KB02

Well-Known Member
  • Jan 1, 2021
  • #11

T

thetravhi

New Member
  • Jan 2, 2021
  • #12

KB02 said:

You could try something like this (result from a quick google search for “HO Scale universal driveshaft”): https://www.ebay.com/p/663655354

Thank you, KB02, that looks perfect. Geez, I wonder if I should just buy a new locomotive. They have online for about $55. These repair parts will cost me almost $20 with shipping.

gjohnston

Slow Learner
  • Jan 2, 2021
  • #13

I had some old Athearn Blue Box Locomotives that I upgraded and converted to DCC. It was a good project and helped me understand how they work, and they are serviceable on the layout. But they do not compare to the newer locomotives I have purchased since. I think your money will be well spent on newer locomotives. The technology has come a long way since your locomotive was made.

T

thetravhi

New Member
  • Jan 2, 2021
  • #14

Can I ask another question, since everyone has been so helpful. I have an original Tyco Silver Streak set from the 80s. It runs on DC power. The power still works for this, but this thread was about the problems with one of my trains.

I am now thinking of getting a new locomotive for it. Maybe one like this link. Will it run on my old system? I am including a picture of the power system, which is still functional.

Thank you for any advice. I will share pictures when I get everything up and running.

-Mike New here, looking for advice getting my Tyco HO train working again (19)

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gjohnston

Slow Learner
  • Jan 2, 2021
  • #15

Yes this model is Standard DC powered. This assumes your DC power pack is in good working condition. They do go bad and can put out too much power and ruin your equipment. You can check the voltage with a multi meter.

New here, looking for advice getting my Tyco HO train working again (22)

EMD GP9M - Standard DC -- Burlington Northern #1709 (green, white)

This WalthersTrainline EMD GP9M diesel locomotive will be a real workhorse on your HO Scale model railroad, and is perfect for expanding or upgrading any train set too! Based on locos introduced in 1954 and still going strong today, the GP9M is available decorated in a variety of colorful...

New here, looking for advice getting my Tyco HO train working again (23)www.walthers.com

Last edited:

Iron Horseman

Well-Known Member
  • Jan 6, 2021
  • #16

gjohnston said:

Yes this model is Standard DC powered .

New here, looking for advice getting my Tyco HO train working again (25)

EMD GP9M - Standard DC -- Burlington Northern #1709 (green, white)

This WalthersTrainline EMD GP9M diesel locomotive will be a real workhorse on your HO Scale model railroad, and is perfect for expanding or upgrading any train set too! Based on locos introduced in 1954 and still going strong today, the GP9M is available decorated in a variety of colorful...

New here, looking for advice getting my Tyco HO train working again (26)www.walthers.com

Agree. Walther's Trainline are fine entry level locomotives.

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New here, looking for advice getting my Tyco HO train working again (2025)

FAQs

Why is my electric train not working? ›

Examine Each Electrical Supply

First, check to see that nothing is dangling and the wires are not touching. Make sure cables are attached to the track, not attachments. Then examine the wires and plug the outlet.

Are Tyco trains still made? ›

The Tyco model railroad business was bought back by the Tyler family in 1977, who revived them under the Mantua Industries brand. Tyco left the model railroad business after the 1993 catalog. Many of the Tyco model train products were subsequently manufactured by Mantua and by International Hobby Corporation (IHC).

What is the history of Mantua trains? ›

Mantua (pronounced Man-chew-ah) Metal Products was a metalworks business founded in 1926 by John Tyler and family. In the 1930's, Mantua was one of the leaders in the development and promotion of the model railroading HO scale in the United States.

Why is my HO scale train not moving? ›

Is the Locomotive on the Track? Your engine gets its power through the wheels. Make sure all of the locomotives' wheels are on the track by sliding it back and forth gently. Try moving the engine to a different part of the track to rule out a loose rail joint or electrical connection.

What are the problems with electric trains? ›

Disadvantages of electric traction include: high capital costs that may be uneconomic on lightly trafficked routes, a relative lack of flexibility (since electric trains need third rails or overhead wires), and a vulnerability to power interruptions.

Does Tyco still exist? ›

Tyco International's former operational headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey. On January 25, 2016, Johnson Controls announced it would merge with Tyco, and all businesses of Tyco and Johnson Controls would be combined under Tyco International plc, to be renamed as Johnson Controls International plc.

What was Tyco famous for? ›

Tyco. TYCO is an iconic toy company that began in the 1950's and known for producing toy train kits. Upon that success, they advanced into the pre-built trains and slot cars; hugely popular in hobby shops.

When did Lionel stop making trains in USA? ›

In 1969, the company sold their model train lines to General Mills. It continued to operate until 1993 as a holding company for their toy stores. In 2006, Lionel's electric train became the first electric toy inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame. The model trains are still in production as Lionel, LLC.

What is the worlds oldest operating train? ›

The Middleton Railway is the world's oldest continuously working railway, situated in the English city of Leeds. It was founded in 1758 and is now a heritage railway, run by volunteers from The Middleton Railway Trust Ltd. since 1960.

What was the name of the famous male train that traveled between New York and Chicago in 24 hours? ›

The 20th Century Limited was an express passenger train on the New York Central Railroad (NYC) from 1902 to 1967. The train traveled between Grand Central Terminal in New York City and LaSalle Street Station in Chicago, Illinois, along the railroad's "Water Level Route". This diagram: view.

What is the history of the death railway? ›

During World War II, the Japanese forced more than 60,000 allied prisoners of war and nearly 300,000 Southeast Asian labourers to build a 415km railway across the mountains and jungles between Thailand and Myanmar (then Burma). Tens of thousands died during the construction and it became known as the "Death Railway".

Why isn't my electromagnetic train working? ›

If your train doesn't move, try flipping the train around. If it still doesn't work, try flipping one of the stacks of batteries around. Experiment by adding or subtracting the number of magnets, or making a longer coil.

What is the lifespan of an electric train? ›

The life expectancy of diesel-electric and electric locomotives is expected to be similar—about 25 years. Both types of motive power are subject to technological obsolescence.

What causes a train to lose power? ›

power supply failures, which can cover very small to very large areas. high winds blowing the overhead wires out of alignment, or blowing vegetation onto the equipment. an impact with the train's equipment due to a faulty component. wildlife such as birds landing on the equipment and causing a short circuit.

How do you test an electric train? ›

Test the power pickups by testing for continuity between two wheels or one wheel and one slider on the same side of the locomotive. If you get good continuity on both sides chances are good that the pickups are OK. Put the engine on the track or on rollers and test for amount of current being drawn.

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