I picked up a sweet little 1990s K-line starter set cheap off craigslist. I mean cheap. It's in beautiful shape.
Only problem is the locomotive is dc.
What are my options to convert it to ac fairly reasonable and have reversing?
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Get a Dallee electronics Electronic reverse unit PWB. Go to dallee.com . about 40$.
Buy a bridge rectifier from Radio Shack. Should be less than two dollars. You will get forward only, unless you install a DPDT switch for manual reverse..
Look for a Lionel electronic e-unit ($25? maybe less), I put one in the tender of a Lionel DC general using a small Dallee tether ($12). The last time I looked those small e-units weren't available from Lionel but there maybe a dealer that has them. Took about 20 minutes to install. I think it was the Dry Gulch set, I have to look when I get home.
I have Lionels 610-0107-100 Electronic Reverse Units, $16.00 shipped.
Bill
Originally Posted by Boxcar Bill:
I have Lionels 610-0107-100 Electronic Reverse Units, $16.00 shipped.
Bill
Bill, I knew someone here would have one. BTW I put mine in the James Gang set as Lionel should have done :-) back in the day. Now it's not only a "cute" set, I can run it anywhere.
Originally Posted by Matt Kirsch:
I picked up a sweet little 1990s K-line starter set cheap off craigslist. I mean cheap. It's in beautiful shape.
Only problem is the locomotive is dc.
What are my options to convert it to ac fairly reasonable and have reversing?
Only problem is the locomotive is dc.
What are my options to convert it to ac fairly reasonable and have reversing?
Does this have a pickup roller or was it meant to run on 2 rail track?
Pete
It's definitely 3-rail with the pickup roller.
Such a nice smooth runner too.
I switched my big Lionel DC 2-6-4 K-4 (type) 8007 from DC to AC by adding Lionel's venerable electronic 103/107 e unit as mentioned above. I also added the switch for direction lockout. Simple really and I believe the best way to go.
I've done some conversions. The bridge rectifer is simple to install, etc. Center pickups might be the greater challenge: it depends on the loco. They need to be positioned where they will make contact in curves, etc., and have just the right movement and play, etc. Sometimes it is easy, sometimes not, but it can always be done. Add at least two.
if you didn't want to tear apart your loco
to retro fit a reverse unit, Lionel used to make
a little black box that was ultimately a bridge
rectifier in a box that you hooked up between
the transformer and track so you could run DC
locos with your AC transformer.
Only draw back was that if you put a post war
whistle tender on the track it would blow
constantly because of the DC surger through
the little black box.
Ive also done the rectifier from radio shack.
forward ONLY, but that's OK at the train shows.
The kids love them running fast and furious!!!
I ordered a reverse unit from Bill.
Is Lionel making these still? I tried searching the part number and I can't find anyone else selling these.
Is Lionel making these still? I tried searching the part number and I can't find anyone else selling these.
There's a couple part numbers. Most parts dealers that carry a mix of Postwar and Modern carry them.
Originally Posted by Fec fan:
Get a Dallee electronics Electronic reverse unit PWB. Go to dallee.com . about 40$.
This is exactly what I did with my early 80's lionel starter set. I also replace the motor as the bushings were shot and as long as was pouring money into a memory I bought a replacement for the bell that had broken off a couple decades ago.
Incredibly satisfying project.
jeff kane
ttender.com sells them
and I got one from
s&w parts
sandwparts.com
side note.
if you order unit from Lionel
they charge you $10 shipping.
the two parts guys I listed before
charge $5 shipping
