My Expensive Solution To A Defective Model Train

One of my model trains, the White Pass diesel locomotive, has been defective since the day I bought it. I never did anything about it, because it's a real hassle to get repairs on this kind of item. When my young neighbor recently mentioned to me that the White Pass locomotive was his favorite, I realized that I could no longer live with it not working properly. So, rather than repair it, I applied the first rule of model train budgeting: why just have one train when you can get two for twice the price? Yes, my solution to the problem was to just find another one and run them back-to-back... with the defective sound turned off on the old locomotive and the new locomotive providing proper sound.
This makes 20 locomotives in my collection now... and these two White Pass diesel engines are the only two identical locos that I own. I like seeing them running back-to-back in a double header configuration.
Playing a big role in this video is Gavin, my neighbor from across the street. He likes model trains, so he comes over and helps me set mine up and operates the tablet that controls the trains while I shoot the video.
I shot this video a few days before Thanksgiving 2020. The weather had definitely turned colder at my new house in Washington state! When I woke up that morning, it was 28 degrees outside! By the time we got around to shooting this video, it had only warmed up to 38 degrees... so we set up the trains in my garage (where the temperature was 59 degrees) instead of out in my back yard.

[@jasminelindsay5514]

You and Gavin are so lucky to have each other as neighbours! Looks like you’re both having a lot of fun.

[@WasatchRailfan125]

I love that ticking sound. It sounds like it's starting its engine.

[@thomascomeau9271]

For you, Union Pacific Railfan, you love the ticking noise as the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway ALCO diesel locomotive #107 from LGB is running on the layout at high speed; but to me, I don't want to run the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway ALCO diesel locomotive #107 from LGB with the ticking noise because the sound is all messed up!

[@evelynfrench804]

We were fortunate and took a ride on the Yukon/White Pass railroad train in Alaska. It was wonderful. My grandson loves your videos.

[@JimZim]

I'm with you on that one... I consider myself fortunate to have been on the real White Pass railway in Skagway, and look forward to riding it again in coming years. Did you know that the White Pass Railway got an infusion of new investment from new owners over the last few years, and that they've been able to make some big improvements? Their locomotives were getting really old, so they bought a bunch of new ones, for example. You can read about it at www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/white-pass-new-locomotives-1.5499628

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

You're not the only one to suffer this sort of railroad problem, I'll bet. I love swaying from side to side while listening to a steam engine hard at work. I've no idea why, but the White Pass steam engine and her goods train somehow reminded me of a more exciting train ride I've experienced in Disneyland, Paris and Walt Disney World in Florida. There's something magical about American and British steam engines alike. I can't put my finger on what it is that makes us all fall head over heels in love with steam engines, be they British, American or of other Foreign designs. Model steamies are just as fascinating as the real thing. I know that much at least. Perhaps somewhere down the line, we might find the answer we're searching for.

[@josephclipp2437]

Good job Jim for solving the problem 🎉😅

[@leescher3588]

I can see that you really enjoy your train and KZbin hobby. Every video is flawless. I remember purchasing LGB trains when my kids were little (ages 4-12). They're all grown up now (30 and 32). Recently I went to your suggested website of where you purchase your trains. I was shocked at the prices. Nothing like inflation to put things in perspective. Best to you and yours. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@erikthetrainfan7768]

I have seen white pass 107 before. it lives in Durango Colorado now I do love those white past diesel locomotives

[@Graygeezer]

So now it’s the J&G RR!

[@peterainsworth8466]

Thanks Jim. It's 38 degrees here too......Celsius that is. Heading for 42 Celsius in a day or two. Cheers from Australia.

[@tylerknox2862]

Keep making these great videos. My 3.5 year old son loves them. He says, "Jim, my favorite train is the White Pass steam train."

[@rottiuree]

Thanks Jim! Found the volume control. The seller didn't know where it was either. Really appreciate your replies. Happy New year

[@Dominco302]

I never realized how the white pass cars have lights in them. That’s kind of cool!

[@Railfan225]

Very well done! All of these units look brand new! Great job on the vid as always! :)

[@grant2428]

Such precious content

[@JoshDoesTravel]

The solution to most problems: If it doesn’t work, just buy a new one!

[@PortsladeBySea]

Big boys and their toys! Have fun 🚂🥳🚂

[@sammywithtrainsandships]

It is funny that this is a train video while you are wearing a Carnival shirt. I love ships and trains!

[@camolotshero3537]

You sir have got me hooked on this i broke out the old Lionel trains and give them a run

[@angelamartin1147]

Awesome! Love your hoodie too!

[@Band__geek]

Hey Jim you should go to pensalvaina Harrisburg they have a railroad called strasburg railroad and they have steam and a little amount of diesels

[@josephnewadventure6758]

Happy greetings and best wishes to you and your family from Joseph This is a way awesome video . I really enjoyed it. Thanks for posting this video. I really love trains and I love the sounds as well. I can watch these train video's for hours . You rock . I hope that one day that I can get a train set's . Thanks again for the train video's I really enjoy them. I'm a new subscriber. Great job on the content of this video

[@Pitsler]

The perfect neighbor!

[@joegennari395]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

[@davidng2336]

Funny as the White Pass locomotives now run on the Durango and Silverton.

[@dannytimmermans5471]

Beautiful train I have the blue white version diesel loc

[@rhettrossalbert]

Nice Video Jim Zim

[@Modeltrainscarsstereos614]

I want the Santa Fe version super powerful.

[@garbagemailtrucksandbuseso8685]

Cool video you should get a CSX model train they're really awesome

[@clairewheatcroft2004]

I really like your videos so much

[@q80aziz]

Unlimited funds= Unlimited fun While it would have been more affordable to reprogram or replace the sound card it still is a great idea to have a double header 👍🏽 As always an impressive video

[@ThePCPitStopInc]

hey Jim happy new year to you really love your new shelves and are you gonna have any plans to build a actually garden railroad with indoor train parking would be really cool to see hope your doing well

[@portlandrailfanproductions1155]

Bye the way I love your channel I watched your channel almost my whole life

[@alcopower5710]

⭐️another excellent video ⭐️

[@TrainBoy-mq3of]

I love your videos

[@robertlucido3686]

I've seen online that LGB at one time made a model of the White Pass and Yukon railway's 2-8-2 steam locomotive #73, you should look for one

[@nanoos1473]

I loved it

[@justaP42DC]

Best video ever

[@lisabauman434]

If only I had that much track

[@unni7083]

Wow nice

[@jvcmultiplerailroadscrossi8402]

Sorry, but I miss already your cozy backyard and the good weather.

[@deputydisney]

I’m riding on the Amtrak Silver Meteor in 2 weeks. Any tips on making the trip most enjoyable? Love all of your videos!

[@JimZim]

I've only done a very short trip on Amtrak in the last few years, so I don't feel qualified to offer any suggestions. I bet if you watched a few videos about trips people have taken on Amtrak, you might find a few tips there.

[@NathanielTheTOHTAFFAN4602]

At 0:09 thomas got mad when he heard this

[@drrollercoaster4130]

jim i love you vids

[@g-rockblues7393]

How does the doubleheader engines work?

[@danzimmerlin6879]

Your garage is bigger than my HOUSE!

[@theaveragerailfanner7447]

Hi Jim, I really like that Santa Fe Dash-8 you have, and I was wondering if you could run it again sometime in a future model train video. -Deven

[@JimZim]

There is a 100% chance of seeing the Santa Fe Dash-8 in a future video. I totally love the Warbonnet color scheme on Santa Fe locomotives... probably because the very first model train I ever had when I was a kid was a Lionel version of the Santa Fe Super Chief. So, the Santa Fe Dash-8 with the Warbonnet paint job is to me one of the most beautiful trains in my collection. It will be in many future videos.

[@theaveragerailfanner7447]

@@JimZim Thanks Jim!

[@flaredradiators]

Hi deven, odd seeing you here!

[@theaveragerailfanner7447]

@@flaredradiators Hi Flared lol

[@GhostbustersFrozenEmpire2024]

Cool

[@georgeadams1853]

You could have just explained that the "tick-tick" noise was just a reproduction of the sound of a narrow-gauge trains's wheels on jointed rail. Hey, if they believe that, they'll probably believe anything anytime you want to pull their leg.

[@James_lirr-ict_catches]

I love it jim I want to see Thomas and friends soon

[@JimZim]

I actually just finished editing a Thomas & Friends video that will show up on my channel a few weeks from now. I'm working a few weeks ahead right now because I've got some big projects around the house that I'll be working on... so I wanted to get a couple of videos "in the bank" so I can do other stuff besides making videos for the next couple of weeks.

[@James_lirr-ict_catches]

@@JimZim ok

[@PlowBenderStudios]

Stupid question, but if the White Pass loco was purchased new and was defective from factory, wouldn't LGB have some kind of warranty to replace the entire model or at the least the sound module? I know Bachmann has a lifetime warranty on their locos should something mechanical fail under normal use. I can't say I've had any issues in that regard, although my newest loco (which I've done a video on) arrived damaged due to being improperly packed from factory and Bachmann replaced it at no cost. Considering it has an RRP of $1,300, I was quite relieved. I'm one of those modelers who can't always afford to buy new, much less purchase another one of something I just got in that doesn't work. Love the videos, Jim. Keep railroading!

[@JimZim]

I just never got around to doing anything about it. I was leading a busier life back at the point when I bought the original locomotive, and dealing with this problem wasn't urgent enough to ever do anything about. It was easier for me to just run it with the sound off. There was no possibility of exchanging it for a brand new one, as they were out of production by that point... so my only option would have been to send it away for repairs, and I just didn't want to do that. So, years went by, and I just learned to live with it until now.

[@cstuettgen]

@@JimZim I'm not familiar with LGB equipment, (all of my G-Scale equipment is AristoCraft - shame the company is no longer around), but couldn't you just replace the sound module?

[@owenmyers88]

Hi Jim, congrats on the new enigine, looks great! Do you run digital power and if so what system do you recommend? I've got lgb and piko engines.

[@JimZim]

Yes, I use a DCC power supply system so that I can run multiple trains on the layout and have individual control of each of them. The system I use is this one: www.trainworld.com/manufacturers/mrc/mrc-g-scale/mrc-dcc-systems-and-accessories-1/mrc-0001417-prodigy-pro-elite-10a/ A nice thing about the system is that for an additional $99 you can add a WiFi unit that allows you to control the trains from a free app on a cell phone or tablet.

[@owenmyers88]

@@JimZim awesome, thanks!

[@jessieb4503]

The White Pass is replacing their 15 DL535E locomotives (the 2 that you have) with 6 E3000CC-DC locomotives.

[@jessieb4503]

4 have found second homes on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, 2 were destroyed in a roundhouse fire and 3 were sold to US Gypsum.

[@Thomasfan-ps5el]

I like this

[@davidsheriff8989]

Great stuff as usual.....can you put your layout outside ?

[@JimZim]

Of course! I do it quite often. If you look through the videos on my KZbin channel, you'll see LOTs of videos of my trains out in the yard. Here's just one example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3i6gnudaqyImac

[@WeedMIC]

Can the pcb (card) not simply be replaced?

[@rottiuree]

Hi Jim, Is there a way to shut off the sound on DC? Also, what kind of Decoder do you have in your DCC model? Did you have it installed or was it the factory MTS .How do you control it with your tab or phone I'm interested in changing mine to DCC. Sorry for all the questions! Thanks for your videos! Very infomative.

[@JimZim]

Factory installed DCC is the way most of my locomotives are set up. There's an Android app called Engine Driver that allows you to control DCC trains from your phone or tablet, if you have a compatible power supply. On the White Pass diesel locomotives, turning down the sound is a simple matter of turning a volume control knob on the locomotive itself. On some of the other locomotives I own, it can be done electronically via DCC.

[@rottiuree]

! The factory DCC is MTS I believe that is not compatible with my MRC I just got my WP loco in the yellow/green livery and now it's my favorite too but haven't tried it in DCC. Not sure if it has a DCC decoder. Did you have the DCC set up done or was it already installed. Thanks for the FYI r:e the Engine Driver. Your channel is my favorite. BTW, isn't it a lot of work setting up the different layouts? My back couldn't handle it. lol Hope you had a safe and sound Christmas and same for the coming New Year.

[@dylanwhite6539]

What DCC system are you using? I’d really like to try a system that uses a smartphone for control sometime, seems like the easiest way to do wireless

[@JimZim]

I use the MRC Prodigy DCC power supply and the MRC WiFi unit.

[@garygray7945]

are your locomotives powered by the track or a battery on the engine or cars on the moving train?would it be possible to move the top cover of a locomotive to the base of another locomotive that works ok?

[@JimZim]

The power flows through the tracks. Each outer cover is unique to that particular model, so it's impossible to take the cover for one and put it on the base of another.

[@2003marauder]

I'm just getting back into trains and I would like to know what makes you stay interested in LGB/G scale trains?

[@JimZim]

I would get quickly bored with it if I had a permanent layout that never changed, or if I only had one or two locomotives. Because I make a new and different layout each time I set up my trains, and because I have twenty locomotives to choose from, it stays pretty fresh and interesting for me!

[@allanegleston4931]

@@JimZim i have a pernamat layout and i change it all the time . also floor running is fun too, there are a lot of ppl who floor run. ive even seen where people have a board on the floor as well. even seen where somone had a lionel layout but had a double heliex to the floor and had free range trains down their hall to increase the run.:)

[@evanhanson1989]

@@JimZim Jim, why did you broke White pass #107 on this point???

[@tonyhilton4160]

Jiim,I bought a lgb 35 year old 2018d it had no sound .I> put factory sound in it for 280 dollars incl. shipping,about the cost of the locomotive.The first sound box didn't work so warrantied it and got another one.It works fine >so I know where you are coming from. I

[@kayick5537]

It still sounds real

[@kategoldring3425]

How do you set up the entire track?

[@AussieGunzel]

They have fishplates that allow tracks to connect.

[@BLWorks1982]

Any plans to build some bench work in the garage? I model s gauge, I built it in the garage.

[@JimZim]

My wife and I are talking about a very ambitious project for Christmas a year from now that would involve building a G-scale winter scene in the garage or maybe even in the house. I've never done anything like that before, so it scares me a little. But she's more artistic than I am... so with her help, I might be able to pull it off. Or maybe we'll just decide it's too much trouble and nothing will ever come of it! We'll see. Right now, it's just an idea we're talking about.

[@cadenchristiansen3553]

hey i also model in s scale

[@rambaral340]

@@JimZim That's a good idea Jim. I model in On30 and the lemax christmas village buildings are almost perfectly scaled and running on HO track i can make a nice 4x8 to place in my front window as a display.

[@rambaral340]

@@JimZim That's a good idea Jim. I model in On30 and the lemax christmas village buildings are almost perfectly scaled and running on HO track i can make a nice 4x8 to place in my front window as a display.

[@SebastianMammoth]

Jim Zim. Your videos are awesome. In fact I'm going to run an engine today. But I need your help which engine should I run? I hear people already shouting " Walt Disney World railroad run the Disney train!" " Polar Express I want you to run the Polar Express please pick the Polar Express!"

[@JimZim]

Your Rio Grande steam train is pretty cool.

[@rushylvania.northern]

Oh wacky idea how about you kinda make an excursion like train lead by your white pass steam locomotive and the two white pass locomotives for additional power

[@bradjones8071]

Hi my name is Bradley Jones letting you know I my self is getting in to g scale my self and I’ve Ben going to my friends house here in Durango Colorado and running my g scale Durango and silverton cars behind his g scale train I love it.

[@rottiuree]

Hi Jim, where did you get another White Pass Diesel ?

[@JimZim]

I found it at www.onlytrains.com/ They sell some used equipment there in good condition.

[@rottiuree]

@@JimZim THANKS JIM!! I'LL CHECK IT OUT!

[@rottiuree]

@@JimZim Jim, was the latest purchased White Pass made in China (Lgb 25554?) or Germany. If made in China does it work exactly like the German model (LB 25552?) There is one on ebay made in China currently. Was debating on bidding on it.

[@JimZim]

That's an interesting question that I hadn't thought of... so I went out and looked at the boxes of my two White Pass diesel locomotives. It turns out that the first one I bought, which has the defective sound board, has a "Made In China" sticker on the box. The second one I bought, which works perfectly, did not have such a sticker, nor did it say "Made In Hungary" as a few of my other LGB items say. So, I presume that means "Made in Germany" then.

[@rottiuree]

Hi JIm, I found one on E-bay . If the loco is made in the 1988 or 1989, I think it's the LGB 25552 model that was made in germany. I really enjoy your channel. You make the videos very interesting. Plus I like your selection of your locomotives. Many of what you have are harder to find and are in great condtion. It looks pretty cold up there in Washington .

[@edwardcollins7893]

I love your trains you could try get more Thomas and Friends engines join your railway fleets

[@portlandrailfanproductions1155]

Tick tick tick

[@user-pu5xm4dv9e]

I really wish i had a neighbour like you but in my country people are rude and even if he had a collection like yours he/she would tell me too back off 🤧

[@Joshuatherailfanner]

Video idea layout trough the house garage and backyard and also through the whole house besides the master bedroom and your wife’s room

[@JimZim]

I'm quite sure that I'll do a video like that sometime in 2021. Now, with winter setting in, it's too cold to do an indoor/outdoor train video because some of the doors would have to be left open during the shooting of the video... and it's just too cold for that. But once we get in to Spring weather, I'm sure there will be some kind of video like that.

[@Joshuatherailfanner]

@@JimZim okay sounds good

[@josephclipp2437]

Have fun you too 😅🎉🎉😅

[@marccollins5790]

hi jim zim

[@thomascomeau9271]

Hello Jim Zim, in this video, you are in your garage of the house in Pasco, Washington with your young neighbor, Gavin, whom I saw in one of your previous videos; he previously told you that the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway ALCO diesel locomotive is his favorite G scale model train and it is one of your favorites too, but you have a dirty little secret you never meant to tell Gavin. There is actually a problem with the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway ALCO diesel locomotive #107, and it's just not working properly right. It's been broken ever since you, Jim Zim, have it. Gavin asks you what did you do with the LGB White Pass and Yukon Route Railway ALCO diesel locomotive #107. And you answered him that when you bought the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway ALCO diesel locomotive #107 manufactured by LGB, it came to you defective, which means not working properly. The sound card that's built in to it, that produces the realistic train sounds, is all messed up. Then you show Gavin and us in a video clip with what happened to the sound on the defective White Pass and Yukon Route Railway ALCO diesel locomotive #107 manufactured by LGB at the 0:48 mark. 0:49: The air horn of the LGB brand White Pass and Yukon Route Railway ALCO diesel locomotive #107 sounds just fine, but then suddenly, 0:52 it makes the loud ticking noise as it moves on the layout at high speed. And so yeah, that ticking sound, it shouldn't be making that, but unfortunately, it does. So that's extremely, really, very annoying! You don't want to run the LGB brand White Pass and Yukon Route Railway ALCO diesel locomotive #107, because the sound is all goofed up. So, when Gavin told you that the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway ALCO diesel locomotive is his favorite G scale model train and it's one of your favorites too; well, this is the perfect excuse you spend a lot of money to get a second working model of the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway ALCO diesel locomotive, the one that doesn't have a number on it at first, but then I realized that the new White Pass and Yukon Route Railway ALCO diesel locomotive is #106. So, what you are going to do is hook the two White Pass and Yukon Route Railway ALCO diesel locomotives as a back-to-back double header of a passenger train with a caboose at the end; turn the defective sound down on the old White Pass and Yukon Route Railway ALCO diesel locomotive #107, and use the proper sound from the new, good White Pass and Yukon Route Railway ALCO diesel locomotive #106, put the two White Pass and Yukon Route Railway ALCO diesel locomotives from LGB on the very big layout and make it work. Along with the Piko brand White Pass and Yukon Route Railway steam locomotive #52 pulling freight cars from the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway and the MTH Electric Trains brand Amtrak passenger train #500. That makes 20 locomotives in your collection of G scale model trains and in December, you will have another new Bachmann brand G scale model train to add to your collection, the 2-6-0 Glenbrook narrow-gauge brown steam locomotive, showing us the real thing that the model is based on, and that will make 21 G scale model trains. I do hope Gavin, his cousin, and John will help you set up your G scale model trains and operate them in your next future videos. I am Thomas Comeau and as always, I am your biggest super G scale model train fan forever and ever!

[@thomascomeau9271]

When are you going to make another G scale model train video? As always, I am Thomas Comeau and I will see the replies from you, Jim Zim!

[@JimZim]

@@thomascomeau9271 It will be in September sometime. For the next few weeks, it will be videos from the most recent cruise... but after that, I'll definitely get the trains out again.

[@dawg2068]

I love the videos a lot James from thomas and friends friends is my favorite but thomas Emily and percy are great to

[@antonbruce1241]

There's a word for that...."returns". And all else fails, there's explosives....

[@georgeadams1853]

"Explosives." Gomez Addams and his Lionel set. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fn7be6eDpLmhrpo

[@myenjoytime]

Which Country From you ? I Need to by a Toy Train. But I'm From Bangladesh. Hare is no bailable toy train like this.

[@georgeglass3]

get a g scale jupter steam train

[@markstrudwick926]

Noooooooo the white pass

[@WeekendsOutsideFL]

This locomotive requires a large turning radius

[@JimZim]

Actually, no. All LGB-brand locomotives -- every one ever made -- can run on R1 curves. Of course, it looks a lot more realistic if you use wider curves than that... but this locomotive and every other LGB locomotive ever made will run on the narrowest G-scale curves you've got, if needed.

[@WeekendsOutsideFL]

@@JimZim Oh so even the 4' curves that come with starter sets. Yay

[@marccollins5790]

run santa fe supercheif

[@jeramyclay4541]

Take it down to a train store they'll fix it you kidding me those guys who fix anything to

[@stephengerlach828]

Thats an expensive solution

[@JimZim]

Yeah, I just wasn't confident that if I sent the defective one away for repair that they'd ever even be able to repair it... and I worried that it would end up costing hundreds of dollars. By just getting a second unit, I not only solved the problem but also ended up with a cool looking pair of locos that could run back-to-back.

[@peterainsworth8466]

I'm pretty sure Jim is well set up for retirement so I don't think $$$ is an issue.

[@dannyzobel8405]

it goes box car combine car passenger car passenger car not passenger car box car combine car passenger car

[@JimZim]

There are no hard and fast rules. Playing with model trains is all about having fun... not following some arbitrary rule of train car arrangement!

[@wastedinamericasandy2309]

hi Jim Zim weeeeeeeeeeee