Yes, I do need another project........

Lock the e-units to one direction. Or run both loco.'s off the same e-unit.  Even with a tether the e-units can become out-of-sync.  A momentary loss of power cycling one unit but not the other due to slight mechanical differences; though maybe less frequently. Hard to predict w/o trying.

A question is whether one e-unit can handle both motors over the long haul - premature wear/failure. You'll need a 3-wire tether between the powered units to run off one e-unit.

Have you cleaned and lubed the motors, Axels/wheels, etc? Even with two motors, 50 Watts should easily run both loco.'s especially without a consist behind them.

Problem with Marx E-units is that they can't be locked.  Quick and dirty method would be to bypass both E-units and rig the locos for one direction only.  If you want directional control, perhaps an aftermarket E-unit mounted in the B unit?

Mitch

@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Problem with Marx E-units is that they can't be locked.  Quick and dirty method would be to bypass both E-units and rig the locos for one direction only.  If you want directional control, perhaps an aftermarket E-unit mounted in the B unit?

Mitch

Forgot that on the Marx E-units.  "Bypassing would be most easily accomplished by removing power to the E-units coil leaving the motor connections in place. This would "lock" the E-unit in one direction.

Did you have an aftermarket E-unit in mind?  My first thought in that area was a Williams 6-amp reverse unit.  But those are may for DC motors as they just revrse polarity to the motors.  You'd need an E-unit with SPDT capabilities for the Marx AC motors ... to switch the motor's wining-brush polarity.

Actually, I was thinking perhaps putting a Lionel E-unit in one of the locos and jumpering to the other loco?

Thanks mitch, after reading this I think I will stick with single motor

John

@beardog49 posted:

Thanks mitch, after reading this I think I will stick with single motor

Probably the simplest solution, yes. 

Mitch

Why not try a power tether between the loco.'s?  One wire across the B unit.  As I mentioned before, the E-units may get out of sync.  But it may be very infrequent.  You  may be able to test it with just a wire between the A units' center rollers.  Perhaps just taped in place for testing.

That ABA would be awesome with both powered units towing a long consist.

I have a few set up to run as ABA or ABBA. On the trailing loco I lock the reverse unit to be in reverse only, then only the lead unit cycles. Works pretty good.

Steve