Polar Express 1225 E-Unit Oddity...

Since I replaced the motor and traction tires on my 1225, the E-unit has begun behaving oddly:

  1. It defaults to reverse when at rest for a few moments.

  2. When the whistle switch is pushed, all power to the motor is cut until the switch is released. It does this with or without the tender.

Any ideas?

Mitch

Did you disconnect any wires other than the two to the (I assume, permanent-magnet) motor?

Nope. It’s been suggested on the O Gauge forums that I installed the motor backwards, which is a possibility:

Note the red dot; two bits says that side should be connected to the red wire…Mitch

Since, the motor defaults to reverse, it is likely that you have the power wires reversed.

If that were the only problem, I agree.

In any case, there are only yellow and blue wires to the motor, which are the typical colors–no red.

Well, yes.

Plus to minus…minus to plus…

And lo, the Berkshire is now buzzing happily around, sending out smoke signals and cheerfully whistling!

Mitch