Power

You need a DC power supply.

You can also use a full wave diode bridge, best 6 amps or greater. Tie the AC leads to your transformer and the other two to the track. Reversing the wires at the track will reverse the direction. I am assuming this does not have DCC installed. Verify that first so you don’t damage anything.

Pete

If you have an old HO powerpack like an MRC, it may have enough juice to test it, but not power it to its full capabilities.   When I switched over from 3 rail to 2 rail, that is what I did before buying an O scale powerpack and ultimately going to DCC.

Hi everyone, appreciate the feedback! I am not looking to get this running or even test its full capability as I would have to modify it, etc etc. I just wanted to power it up. I contacted my local shop and they instructed me that my 1st thought was correct. Common one side and power the other. I did and it powers up perfectly and even moves a little as I only gave it a little power. It is a 5244, weathered and beautiful. It will be staying in the display as I would have to redo everything I have and not about to spend that cash. Again, TYVM!

Would you be willing to post some more pictures? Please?  🙂

Mark in Oregon

@Strummer I will once I get back home.

@Dntbsillynow posted:

Hi everyone, appreciate the feedback! I am not looking to get this running or even test its full capability as I would have to modify it, etc etc. I just wanted to power it up. I contacted my local shop and they instructed me that my 1st thought was correct. Common one side and power the other. I did and it powers up perfectly and even moves a little as I only gave it a little power. It is a 5244, weathered and beautiful. It will be staying in the display as I would have to redo everything I have and not about to spend that cash. Again, TYVM!

It's a Gem PRR B6 that someone painted and lettered. It's full capabilities unless modified are to go forward and backwards; lighting might be directional or not depending on who did what to it - maybe DCC was added, maybe it does have a can motor in it.

I don't know what a ZWL is or does.   That loco should run on DC, not AC like old Lionel.     So if the ZWL puts out DC it should be fine.   If it is putting out AC, it may damage the motor.   As mention, one lead to each rail.   Switch leads to opposite rails to change direction.    It should be 12 volts or less.    It probably needs 6 volts or so to run.

Welcome to 2 rail land. As noted you need 12V DC, AC will fry the motor. Hope you have fun!

@Strummer here you go.

Very nice... thanks!

Mark in Oregon

@Strummer no problem! Very nice surprise gift from a great client and friend! He said to me last night after he gave it to me, "I always tell people, a hearse does not have room for luggage" ... I am humbled to know him and appreciative, as well as blown away!

@Dntbsillynow posted:

Hi everyone, appreciate the feedback! I am not looking to get this running or even test its full capability as I would have to modify it, etc etc. I just wanted to power it up. I contacted my local shop and they instructed me that my 1st thought was correct. Common one side and power the other. I did and it powers up perfectly and even moves a little as I only gave it a little power. It is a 5244, weathered and beautiful. It will be staying in the display as I would have to redo everything I have and not about to spend that cash. Again, TYVM!

Not to steal the thread but ...

What is a Gem St-540? Beautiful engine and would love to know more about who made it and when.

How did it work on AC if it is a two rail dc loco, or is it?

BTW, great gift, we all need clients like that! Let me know if you have others you don't want.

@hokie71 miss type by me Gem ST-504 Brass o scale 2 rail locomotive and tender. I did not run it, as you can see in the photos, it came with a short track. I just started it up, to which power is power - ground and positive. As explained by my local train shop. I only wanted to see if it accepts power. I did not want to see capabilities etc as that would require much more work, investment and protections etc. I did not want to damage it, just see if it accepts a charge. It does. I do not have a place to actually run it and see all the capabilities. The 5 train shops near my house sell 2 rail, but only have 3 rail test loops as 2 rail is not common in my neck of the woods. My layout and trains are 3 rail. I have no more information on the locomotive other than the model number and the gifter saying the best he can find is the train and display case have about a $1000 value. No original box, but he does have a box that he needs to go to his storage and get. I will see him in a couple weeks to get that. My plan all along was to keep in display box anyways.

@hokie71 posted:

Not to steal the thread but ...

What is a Gem St-540? Beautiful engine and would love to know more about who made it and when.

How did it work on AC if it is a two rail dc loco, or is it?

BTW, great gift, we all need clients like that! Let me know if you have others you don't want.

As stated above, it's a Gem models import made by Samhongsa (pretty sure) of a PRR B6. And yes, it's a DC 2 rail model

....train and display case have about a $1000 value.

Pretty generous assessment.....

If you're curious but still without a dc power pack, a 9V battery could be used to ascertain whether the patient shows signs of life.  Assume it may not run smoothly or at all simply for lack of  basic maintenance ( lube).  Judging from its exceptionally good cosmetic condition I doubt it was ever abused in any way.  All our acquisitions should be this nice!

Bruce

Thanks for the details, I was curious about it. Gem st-504 gets some hits on google. Apparently this was a kit and it is brass. One image that came up showed the inside and it appears to have a dc motor similar in appearance to the standard Lionel universal motor.