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9 Responses to Running Locomotives in Reverse?
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Just switch the wires on the motor. I found this out by accident when I was working on one of my locomotives.
I’ve been wondering how to do this but didn’t want to ask the “dumb” question yet.
Is this a problem? I don’t know about DCC, but my DC engines all run in the same direction according to the track polarity no matter which way the locos face. On reconsideration, I think I’m not understanding the question properly.
i’m not sure of the programing but i know that when programing there is one button you hold down for 5 seconds?? and it reverses you engine direction to follow the others. (fuzzy i know but there is a way)
Nathan, If you are running in standard DC Then when multiple engines are on the track then they should run the same direction on their own. If they don’t, then one of the engines is wired backwards which that was an issue years ago even new engines where some companies did not wire the power from the left and right rail to the proper side of the motors. In this case most likely you need to reverse the wires to the motor. If that motor is wired basically by the mounting it to the frame then the wires from the wheels to the frame may need reversed. But if they are wired the same then they both should run the same direction. I have corrected several engines over the years.
Now on DCC the engines only need to be set in the same direction of travel before hooking them up. But if they are wired in reverse your indicator on the trottle might show the opposite direction than the direction you are going. A good example of this is the engine runs one way but the front or rear headlight is lit the other way. Then switching the chip to motor wires should do the trick.
from Newman Atkinson
Ever happened to me to find a locomotive who was unlike the others. This can be a motor problem or it can be a problem in the assembly of the locomotive. Anyway, the problem is solved by reversing the motor wires or energy harvesting wire rails.
There is a logic to the mounting rail scale models. If the rail a certain side is positive locomotive should move forward. I do not remember what the standard side, but that’s why our models always go in the same direction, unless you have some problems in the assembly.
But I believe you are talking about joining two locomotives in a Consist in a DCC system and want to mount them back to back, right?
Each controller brand may have a case, but basically the method is the following: When we add the first locomotive in the consist usually assume that it will walk forward and do not need to do anything else but to add other locomotives must inform to the controller her direction, she will walk forward or backward.
This is normally done by pushing up the direction button. Selecting the forward direction she will walk normally, but if you select reverse direction, she will walk back, reversing direction whenever we change the direction of Consist.
Note that this situation will last during the operation of Consist. When Consist is undone, again assume normal operation without the need for any further intervention in their direction.
Best Regards
J.Oscar from Brazil
on dcc engines you can change direction for mu”s bye using your cv”s
Nathan, you need to tell us if you are running DC or DCC !
Standard practice for DC is that the loco goes forward when its right hand rail is positive.
(So if it is reversed in a consist, no wiring changes are needed.)
For DCC, your loco handbook will tell you how to change the direction setting.
Frank Yes you are right on DCC but if your wires are feeding to the proper side it will not be necessary to reset your DCC Chip and if nothing else just reverse your wires to the motor. If you just change it on your settings then if you have to do a full factory reset for some reason, then you would have to go back in to that CV and change that one each time after a factory reset. A reset might have to happen at times (hopefully never ……..But you never know). I have had a couple engines that required it several times Who knows why……
Everyone who installs DCC chips have always told me that you want the engine to run properly in DC before you install the DCC chip. from Newman