Running 2 powered engines together

AFAIK, all Lionel RTR engines will start in forward after a time without power.  It's stated in the manual if I remember correctly.  Well, it's in the manual of my 0-6-0 Dickside, and I just kinda assumed it was the same for my son's FT.  We haven't locked it because he likes to go both directions since it gets him the crew/tower talk.

If the locos have DC motors (I'm not really familiar with that model) then you can either permanently rewire one loco so its "forward" is now "reverse" or you could install a reversing slide switch discretely on the chassis to select either forward or reverse running, in case you need to run it independently at times.

The locomotive will only "remember" which direction to go until its capacitors have drained, after power has been removed. IIRC it's around 7 seconds, less if there's a short.

Arthur has the most practical solution. If they're DC can motors, you can swap the wires on both motors on one unit, and it will always go "backwards" of the other.

The beauty of this is you can then forward and reverse both units as a pair. Theoretically they will move together, and reverse at the same time.

Gentlemen,

Thank you so much for your replies.  I needed the reminder that they are DC motors in these 2013 year model engines.  I will rewire one of them as Arthur suggested.  And Sinclair offered provides the reason to do the rewire.  Matt, even if I could move fast enough to throw the lock switch, it still wouldn't lock in reverse, would it.  Anyway, 7 seconds is a mighty short time.  Didn't realize that.

Again, thank you for the informative and helpful replies.  I really appreciate it.

John

If you throw the lock switch when the engine is moving slowly in the reverse direction you can lock it in reverse.  At that point you have one locked in forward and one locked in reverse and you can run them tail to tail as you desired.  G

2013 year model engines?????

If you switch the polarity on the DC motors on one of the locomotives, it will always start out in reverse instead of forward.

One starts out in forward, one starts out in reverse, every time power is applied.

You won't need to lock them anymore. You will have full control.

I have done what everyone is suggesting.  I cut the wires and swapped them to make a permanent backwards unit.  I think the FT's I used are very similar to the ones you are talking about.  Here is the video of my units: