Originally Posted by: RayF 
Thanks Ruben,
I hadn't considered using a function decoder for the driving trailer. It saves having to wire throught the coaches.
What about the pick-up shoe switchover? Did you just decide to do without the function?
Hello Ray
I have converted several of these, relatively easy to do.
Yes, by all means, make the changeover to a permanent magnet motor, I did all mine that way.
It is a flat collector motor, get the proper conversion kit.
Now for the "subtle" part: pick up change over.
I recommend using ESU's 51966 (http://www.esu.eu/en/products/accessories/change-over-of-skis/) which double up as a 21 pin connector, so if one day you want to upgrade to Loksound, no problem.
Just wire and you're done!
If you don't want to use that, you can simply use the 51963 relay (http://www.esu.eu/en/products/accessories/miniature-relays/) or any small relay working on 12 volt, to swithch between pick up skis.
Use the power unit front light output to activate the relay and set it to"power from motor unit"
The reverse light output wire (F0 r) goes to the red bulb of teh power unit.
Make sure that when on "rest" the relay provides power from the driving trailer.
This way it will always work, even if you forget to turn on the headlights, you'll get at least power from the driving trailer
Of course, besides the pick up switch over, there would still be no "true" changeover for the headlights on the driving trailer, so the white bulb will merely "blind out" the red, as in the original wiring.
You can add another (identical) little relay , activated by the pilot car "white" light power line, as to interrupt the power to the red buld (which, in the original wiring, is always powered by the pick up...)
When deactivated the NC contact of teh relay will reconnect the track power to the bulb.
Small but importnat detail: since track voltage is about 19V in digital, don't forget to add a couple of diodes between track supply and the red bulb.
I also painted the inside of the driving trailer's nose to avoid teh bright bulbs to shine through the thin plastic.
A nice project in any- case!
Cheers