only goes in reverse

[tburke]

Novice question please.

A 1940 Louis Marx locomotive, 1 3/8" wide gauge (O gauge??), that I haven't used in 30 years now only goes in reverse. Seem to remember that the 0-15VAC transformer handle must be placed at Off and then it will reverse direction. Am I remembering right? As it is VAC, I don't see how the problem can be in the transformer. Is there a switching contactor in the locomtive that is kaput?? Fixable?

Many thanks

 

[NH Mike]

Not familiar with the Marx brand but my old American Flyers were AC and to change direction you had to stop and then when the transformer handle was turned up again it went in the opposite direction. A real pain if you were not wanting to do that like at a passing siding or someplace similar. The AF had a switch on the bottom that you could throw to keep it so it only went in one direction. Might be such a switch on the Marx too? If not then most likely the little relay or device inside the engine that automatically reverses might just be oxidised on the contacts from all those years of sitting. A burnishing tool and / or some electrical contact cleaner might be all it needs. I'd say if it worked when it was put away it shouldn't take more than a cleaning to make it work again. Hope this is some help.

 

[Cjcrescent]

...The AF had a switch on the bottom that you could throw to keep it so it only went in one direction. Might be such a switch on the Marx too? ...

All the Marx's I'm familiar with, except for the cheapest ones, had this switch. As Mike said if it was working prior to being put up, a good cleaning should be all it needs. I'd also check to be sure that this switch wasn't accidentally thrown to the position that won't let it change directions.

 

[tburke]

Thanks for the replies. I do not have a manual switch on the locomotive for reverse. Any idea what the auto reversing relay looks like and how to find it?

For information, it is a 3 rail track but only the center and one outer is powered with AC.

Thanks

 

[bnsf971]

The reversing, or (Lionelese) E-unit, would be found under the boiler, though some had a lever inside the cab roof. It is possible the switch is turned to the reverse direction, and locked there, try turning the switch to the position opposite the one it's in now to see if it reverses before dismantling.
If it does turn out to be the reverser unit stuck, when you take it apart, use a fine wire brush ONLY to polish the contacts, anything coarser will cause pitting of the contacts, and it will either stick again or not run at all.

 

[tburke]

Thanks for explaining the E-unit.

I DO have a small lever that can be set on ONE contact point or off it. When I move the lever on, off and back on the contact, the locomotive will reverse. And occassionally now also when I turn the transformer on, off, and on. So I guess it is poor contacts. The 3/4" cube metal box seems to have a solenoid (magnet coil) inside it and it has twisted metal lugs preventing its enclosure from being easily opened. Given this description, does it sound like I have the type unit that will reveal the contacts if I untwist the lugs and open the enclosure?

Many thanks.

 

[NH Mike]

Before I took anything apart I'd work that E switch back and forth a bunch of times which might clean up the contacts when they rub across each other. Also because it has started to randomly change direction by the transformer input I would keep working that also. Just might free up a sticky magnetic switch.

 

[UP2CSX]

Go to Radio Shack and buy some Radio and TV Contact Cleaner. Spray it into the E switch opening and then work the switch back and forth for about 30 seconds as Mike suggested. It sounds like oxidized contacts may be the problem and the contact cleaner should clear that up.