DC operation to AC operation??

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Just won a Lionel Army train on e-bay, not sure when it was built. I can’t find it in any of my books up to 2000. I want to give to my 6-year-old grandson for x-mass. He is nuts about toy Army guys and anything else with play Gis. He has a modern FastTrack layout I got him last year and this would be another train he can run on his layout.

Anyway the engine is DC and I was wondering if I could wire a bridge rectifier into the engine to make it work on the AC current of his CW-80? See E-bay item # 190570937471

I had a question awhile back on the operation of a K-Line sawmill and someone said I could make a DC motor work with AC if I installed the bridge rectifier.

Thanks,

Kevin

2

This is the item # of the train I got on e-bay.

330606807357

Anyone know when it was built?

Thanks,

Kevin

3

If the engine number is 8377, I think it was in the Commando Assault set. The set was released in 1983 and 84.

4

Yes, you should be able to do that. However, unless you also install an e-unit, he will be limited to one direction of travel.

You could instead wire the bridge rectifier between the transformer and the track, with a reversing switch between the rectifier and the track. Then you will retain the train’s ability to reverse. However, this may cause complications when running his other trains when it is set up for DC.

5

Bill,

I have not got the engine yet but here is a picture of it if this helps.

Thanks,

Kevin

6

You can use a $15 electronic E-Unit to provide that locomotive with full functionality, forward/neutral/reverse operation. While you’re in there, stick an LED or two in for lights. [swg]

Jeff Kane at http://www.ttender.com/ has them in stock as a rule.

107-100      electronic e-unit(replaces 103-100)   1   15.00    15.00