I have two F type A units, both powered that I would like to run together.
The only thing is the both run nose first so I was thinking this,
Since they are both DC, can I reverse the wiring on one of the motors to make it run in reverse while the other runs forward.
I am first test them one behind the other ,uncoupled, to make sure they operate at near or at the same speed. First one engine ahead of the other then switch their positions.
What do you think?
No need to rewire anything, just turn one around.
[#ditto] If they are going different directions on DC, then 1 is wired wrong to start with.
you need to get rid of the * in the closing img tag.
As far as running an A-A consist, [#ditto] what they’ve said
Yeah. Consider a loop of track in DC. With the direction switch thrown one way, all engines should run clockwise around the loop. The other way, they all run counter-clockwise (or anti-clockwise in Britain, I think.) If your engines don’t do that, then one of them is wired wrong. Hopefully, you have a third engine so you can find out which one is wired backwards, and reverse that one.
Take the two power wires going to the motor from the wheels and reverse em.
In good old analog DC, positive voltage on the right-hand rail should cause the powered rolling stock to move away from the viewer standing between the rails. Reversing the polarity will reverse the direction of travel.
Whether steam, diesel (any generation,) electric (if operating two-rail with cosmetic catenary,) Diesel Multiple Unit, Electric Multiple Unit, or even two hoboes on a handcar, they should all move in the same direction no matter which way they face. The only problem is that steam locos running tender first are derailment prone, and are usually required to operate at restricted speed. This does not apply to diesels, which are effectively bi-directional and can be run at track speed regardless of where the cab is in relation to the direction of motion.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
As they come from the Factory …
The track DC makes them ALL in one direction - some faster, some slower - but ALL in the same direction.
Presumably, you havent laid track or tried to run anything yet.
May I recommend a Kalmbach book ‘How to wire your Railroad’? (cheap). It’s still in print and has words and pictures…
These two locos may have been wired a little different too. I have two Bachmann FT locos that when placed on the track, will run away from each other, no matter which way they’re facing. The only difference in them is that the older unit was manufactured before Bachmann started going to DCC and the newer unit is made for a decoder. Niether units wiring has been switched.
Jeff:
A factory wiring a motor in reverse. bi-passes all inspection proceedures, is exceedingly rare. I’ve had one in 50 years and it was after having a painter take it apart to work on it.
Far more probable is someone installing a DCC board in an engine where the CVs can be reset - correcting the istallation problem.
RULE is + voltage on right (engineers) side wheels make loco go FWD.
Gil
Jeff is correct. DO NOT do anything to your motors. It sounds like your intent is to run the F units back to back (as per many prototype operations) versus “elephant style” (both facing forward). Simply turn the second one around, couple them back to back, couple them to your train and run em.
Is this what you’re looking for?
Rick
If they are both Athearn units, the fix is easy. If you bought one them used, someone may have taken it apart and put it back together with the trucks in opposite places. I learned this when I cleaned up an old Athearn SD40-2 that my son bought at a train show. Replace the trucks in the opposite places and you have essentially “rewired” the motor.
Hope this helps.
You all are correct. One engine is much faster than the other so I will use a dummy instead.
I should have tried it before posting.No, I have a layout but I am sort of new to operating HO, been aquiring stuff all winter for a garage layout. I converted the Christmas ttrain board to HO last week using Atlas True track.
Last fall I built a Walthers Coal tipple and several saw mills to use later plus a town that should losely replicate Thurman WV
Currently , for the logging operation I am using 3 shays and a climax with a bunch of converted flats. I have 4 mills and 3 sheds. I used Atlas lumber with some C&) boc cars being loaded for a siding.
There must be at least about 30 hoppers for the mine when I get the garage remodled.
For now I needed a fix so my layout is 8x4.
I am pretty much an O gauge guy for the last 20 years and was thinking in terns of E units, just old school I guess.
Lashing two diesels like F 2’s back to back is a new idea, I have dummies for the powered units otherwise
If you are building the layout in a garage, don’t make the rail joints too tight, or the track will buckle, due to expansion and contraction, from the wide temperature swings. I know from experience. Also don’t solder the rail joints. It only takes a few millimeters of expansion to buckle the track.
I did that once.[:I][D)]
So did I, with a SW1500.
I had also done this. Since then when I remove both trucks I’ll etch an “R” and “F” on them for proper placement on reassembly.