I have a standard Gauge 384E and I was wondering what kind of E-Unit is inside of it?? Is it a drum type or pendulum type? Says that it has the same E-Unit as the 390E. Because when I pushed the direction button, there is no Neutral. Only forward and reverse. Just wondering if the 384E has a 2 or 3 position E-unit? There is no lever for the E-unit and I will be unable to lock the loco into neutral. Any help will do, thanks.
It has a 2 position pendulum unit, and they do have lockout levers. Its under the pickup plate, a long curved brass handle. If you cant find it with you finger try takinf the roller plate off and you should see it.
Oh, I did not know that. How do you take off the roller plate?? Any tools I need to take it off?? Thanks.
I got it off, just 2 screws on the sides. There are 2 levers, one in front and one in back of the motor housing. The longer curved one up front, under the front truck, it locks the E-Unit into 1 position. Toward track is locked into position, toward roof of loco cycles E-Unit through the 2 positions. What does the lever toward the back of the motor do?? It is a smaller straight lever. I tried it to the left and to the right, no change in operation. Humm. Is there any way to lock the loco in Neutral?? Like you said it is only a 2 position E-Unit, Forward and Reverse. I guess it does not have a neutral, correct?? I hope it does, so I can park it on my track and use another steam loco on the same line. Let me know if I can do this. Thanks for all the help!!
I was thinking of putting a fiber pin instead of a steel pin in my freight yard so that I will be able to park my 384E in my freight yard. But, my bumper will not light up. I wonder which is a better route to go, just take the 384E off the track or not having a bumper lit up and having the 384E parked in the freight yard. Thanks.
Just put another insulating pin or gap a few inches from the end of the track, then run a small wire to the short center rail under the bumper.
You could also leave the end of the track intact, put a piece of tape over the center rail where the bumper contacts it, and then position the stripped end of the wire over that.
I use incandescent lamps to recharge my capacitive turnout-throwing circuits. I have bumpers and other small lighted accessories all over the layout on completely isolated bits of track at the ends of sidings, that light up whenever a passing train rolls over a control rail.
I will try your first suggestion. I never would have thought of doing that. Thank you very much!!
Its been awhile since i messed with one but i think the back lever changes direction when the e unit is locked. And what soni said for the freight yard, or just hard wire the bumper light. You cannot lock a pendulum reverse in neutral.
Ok, got it. Thank you very much. I did hard wire the bumper last night, everything is good now. thanks.