convert Lionel DC to AC 3 rail

Actually, it requires at a minimum a diode, not a resistor.

If he wants directional control, one of the $15 Lionel electronic E-Units would be the ticket.

you can use a dallie reverse unit

Wouldn't he also need a bridge rectifier (basically 4 diodes wired together in a certain way) to make the AC into DC, plus then a reversing unit?

Here is the Lionel unit.

Here is the Dallee unit.

Either unit will work.

Larry

bigkid posted:

Wouldn't he also need a bridge rectifier (basically 4 diodes wired together in a certain way) to make the AC into DC, plus then a reversing unit?

No. The modern electronic reverse units have internal diodes.

If you are talking about a postwar type of drum reverse unit, then you are correct; you would need diodes.

John, yes, my mistake/misquote.  I meant to say a capacitor, not resistor.  And, a 1N4004 diode in line with the track power side to the can.  Correct?  I know the capacitor is optional, a non-polarized, but with the simple, straight forward approach of the early Lionel DC units, perhaps a capacitor is not necessary.

Thanks to all for the input.

Jesse   TCA   12-68275