I saw a couple of Lionel MPC era FA train sets on eBay that have a small transformer with the lever on top, but I don't see a direction button or switch on the transformer. Do these units only run in the forward direction? Thanks in Advance,
There were a coupe of cheap postwar that were forward only. Everything else is two position or three position e-unit. You need to give me a catalog number (cab number) or link to the listing. Dave
Look at the top of the powered unit and see if there is a lever protruding. That will indicate a reverse unit is present.
Here is a link to one of the listings. http://www.ebay.com/itm/LIONEL-Trai...875?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ed3c15ac3
That style of power pack you simply move the transformer lever to the off position, then on again, to change the engine direction. The set pictured isn't worth but a fraction of that asking price. That's yard sale stuff.
Complete, maybe 25 to 30. But what do you get? MPC, oval of track, throw-away power pack (some of those you pushed down on the wire connection to reverse..I think). If you want Lionel to run, get something older, no traction tyres, three-position e-unit.
Now that you mention it, this does ring a memory bell. I was always using a KW or ZW275, so it's been too long.
Thanks guys for the feed back. I'm still kicking around the idea of getting into 3 rail O scale in a small way, pun intended. I'm thinking along the lines of a small 3' by 4' or 3' by 5' display layout like you use to see at Christmas time.
How much space will the family allow to be used? Will going around and around, with no variety, be sufficient to hold some interest? I'm sure you'll want enough room to put in a lighted station and a few other buildings, such a Christmas decorated homes? Plus have a few presents beneath the tree?
Unfortunately, living in a small apartment 3' x 5' is about as much room as I have available. I was thinking along the lines of this layout Placing the tree in the center of the loop. There is not any way to reverse direction of but at least there is a spur to drop off and pick up cars to add a little interest. The primary interest is just having a Lionel train under the Christmas tree.
