Looking for a KW in good condition, preferably serviced and inspected. This is for my son's layout, and safety is of the utmost importance. Please respond with offers.

Thanks

Ken

eBay seller ID "pltbowie"
KW

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mark V. Spadaro,

That looks like a bargain to me considering all the work the guy puts into them.
You will appreciate the new whistle diode.
Rob

Thanks for the help gentlemen. I'll look at the listing.

I bought one from him about a year and a half ago and I can tell you that he does fantastic work. You will not be disappointed.

Mike

I rebuilt two of mine. Reading his ad.....it makes me wish I had gotten him to do them!! Sounds like great work, and a good price to me. Greg

if you have not went after one yet I just picked one up and after I go thru it I will be putting it up for sale

He is right about using modern type diodes in the whistle circuit rather than the replacement discs. I installed a replacement disc in one of my KW's and he was dead right - the polarity was backward for modern setups with both a bell and whistle and I had to reverse the disc. Of course it works an air whistle fine either way, but if you have electronics you have to reverse the polarity or use a diode. Just reading his summary it is obvious that he knows what he is doing and he has the will to do it right.

He is legit. I have met him a few times. I don't think he will fix transformers for folks although he did a nice job fixing up some other trains for me in return for a case of beer. Great guy and merchandise.

The beer was great, it hit the spot. LOL
The main reason I went to diodes is because of the polarity problems with repro rectifier disks.
I read in an old publication from Lionel that a rectifier disk will become burnt and fail if you try to blow the whistle when there is a short circuit on the track, I am sure that more then one kid has done this.
I am retired but I don't recondition other peoples transformers because I would feel obligated to get the job done as soon as possible. The other reason is I would hate to see UPS or USPS break someone's childhood treasure. I spend a good 1/2 hour double boxing KWs and ZWs, etc. the main thing is to put plenty of bubble wrap on the bottom of the transformer.
You can save money by selling your transformer 'as is' and buying a transformer that is already reconditioned due to the high price of mailing.
If you absolutely must have your transformer reconditioned because of things like you had it for a thousnd years then check out IFIXZWS on eBay, Ken does great work.
Insist on new rollers, cord, 16 amp diodes, and a new circuit breaker at the very least.
Paul (pltbowie on eBay)