Hello, I'm getting back into model railroading and had to start from scratch, but I have two questions:
I got a 26490 Wabash Blue Bird and a 37183 with 42283 Rheingold

I'm using an analogue layout and would like to have the locomotives be able to reverse, there was a cryptic picture in the users manual but without any text I am unclear. What do I need to do in order to make them reverse on the analogue layout?

And second one of the coupler pockets on the baggage car of the Blue Bird broke, what is the product number for the replacement part?


Thank you for your time.

I have a 6646 and I was doing that because that's how it worked with the blue one I had as a kid, however they just don't want to change.
The picture is the engine with two arrows pointing one forward one reverse and shows two pieces being removed. I know next to nothing about digital locomotives but I though there was something you had to do inside of them to make them operate on analogue.

So it should work fine theoretically, however neither are reversing. I'll mess with that later. Does anyone know the part I would need for the car?

Oh and it was page 25 of the manual if I remember correctly.

Request for elaboration:

What happens to the train(s) when you turn the control knob to the left of 0 (zero)?

Do you have one train on the track at a time or are both trains on the layout at the same time?

Both of the models you list have the modern decoder types. These decoders are preset from the factory and work in analog and digital operation automatically as the decoder can detect the voltage/signal that is provided. These decoders do have adjustable settings for analog operation that can be adjusted by modifying settings (CV). Unless these settings have been changed, I would not expect to see a decoder related problem in analog operation.

You can ask Tom Catherall for assistance. He can be reached at tom (at) marklin.com. He was formerly Marklin USA's digital expert.

The diagram that you refer to shows how to remove/replace the brushes. This does not have anything directly to do with reversing directions, although a problem with the brushes can affect the operation, including the reversing. It is possible that there is an issue with the brushes. I find it unlikely that you would have the same problem on two loks at the same time. If you do not have replacement brushes, one thing you can do to test them is to reinstall them inverted and see whether that solves the issue.

As far as the coupler pocket on the baggage car, you can send an email to service (at) maerklin.de or contact Scott at Helmutshobbies.com in VA who may be able to assist you with ordering the part.

Regards

Mike C

OK, basic testing time.

Your description is not totally clear. You say you have two loops. Do you mean two parallel tracks (ovals) or some kind of figure 8 other other design?

If you have two parallel tracks with interconnecting switch tracks, the first thing that I will do is to ask you to disconnect the two tracks from each other. This is to make sure that there is no problem with the isolation that may be interfering with the normal operation. Once the two ovals have been fully isolated (are independent), test to see whether each train now operates as intended.

If you are having the same problem with both transformers and both locomotives, regardless of which track they are on, then it is likely that there may be some issue with connectivity.
The majority of isolated setups for multi track ovals or block layouts with sections powered by separate transformers call for the isolation of the centre rail (red) wire only. Please make sure that your transformers are in phase (the newer transformers are equipped with safety plugs with one prong larger than the other) and that both transformers have the red lead attached to the middle rail and the brown (return) wire connected to the outer rails. If possible, make sure that the transformers are connected to the same power source and not to different circuits or outlets.

Once you have completely isolated the two tracks, test the locomotive to see what happens when you "reverse" the transformer. If the problem was related to the operation of the set up, it should now function as intended.

Next question. Do any or all of your coaches have interior lights or taillights? If you have many coaches with lighting, this can use up the power of the transformer and can leave the locomotive with insufficient power to initiate the reverse process. In order to test, please remove all coaches from the tracks.

If you have one coach with lighting and a third rail slider, you can use this coach to test the track voltage. What happens to the lights when you press reverse on the transformer?

Should the above not help you locate the problem, take the following step:

Please take 6-8 sections of straight track, including your power supply. Place one locomotive on the track. Activate the transformer at low to medium low speed. The train should advance in one direction. Before the train gets to the end of the track, stop the transformer. Move the control knob to the left (below) 0 (zero). Does the train reverse? Does it move or make noise?

Regards

Mike C

If you don't have enough feeder points on an analog layout, you can defiantly get a worse "jumping" on reverse. I would ccheck the loco reversing directly on your feeder track to see if it works better, and if so check the connections and possible add feeders. I can't remember the exact Marklin guideline for this, but I believe you should have one every 15-20 pieces of track.

-Brandon

Did you try loco without coaches on the feeder track?
If it doesn't reverse then, then more feeder tracks won't solve the problem.

Do you have C track? Do you use the 74046 radio interference suppressor? Did you wire the second feeder track correctly after the 74046 and not parallel?

So I spent a day working on it getting mostly wiring the turnouts and one of my transformers could reverse both trains with all cars (the other could not), I switched the leads into the transformers and the one that worked before still worked fine and would reverse the locomotives. So I believe I have a bad transformer. Now I just need to find out where I can get another coupler pocket.