Hello fellow Bachmann enjoyers! It's been 3 years since I was online and boy it's been wild. I've restored 2 steam locomotives, joined 3 nonprofit organizations dealing with other steamers, Joined the Air Force and moved to Alaska only to end up volunteering my free time at the Alaska 557 project and the Military Society of Model Railroad Engineers on base at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson. It's been a crazy 3 years haha.
The club has 9 layouts with 2 more on the way, but the one I'm focused on is the huge HO layout. It was originally built in 1984 with DC tech (obviously) and updated to Digitrax DCC whenever it came out in the early 2000s. It is mainly a benchwork and shelf layout with 3 levels. the lower 2 levels are connected with a 5 circle helix about 6 feet in diameter. the second and third levels are connected by a mountainous diorama going up a 2.6% grade, flattening to a 1.3%, then going back to a 2.4% grade.
Anyway, with that out of the way, I have a question regarding a recent purchase. I bought a Weaver models brass Hiawatha locomotive and tender, and matching MTH brass 5 car set. The thing is brand new, never been ran until I did the other day. It refuses to go into reverse, and the lights are a bit sporadic. A club member and I went over the wiring and the board inside the locomotive and didn't find anything wrong with it. There are no switches on the bottom besides the smoke machine's switch. Do y'all have any suggestions?
Thanks, and it's great to be back!!
Quentin
DC or DCC?
A Weaver brass loco would be 3-rail O-Gauge for an AC layout. If the OP is trying to operate it using DC the electronic e-unit will not trigger properly, giving forward only travel.
Len
Quote from: Len on November 02, 2025, 01:39:01 PMA Weaver brass loco would be 3-rail O-Gauge for an AC layout. If the OP is trying to operate it using DC the electronic e-unit will not trigger properly, giving forward only travel.
Len
Len, you're correct. I am operating it on an AC layout using an MTH throttle system, the Z-4000 I believe.
Weaver used a QSI electronic reversing unit, similar to early MTH O-gauge locos before they came out with their Proto Sound series of reverse/sound boards. They switched because there were a lot of issues with the QSI boards.
There should be a direction lock switch connected to the board, which may be hidden by one of the tender trucks, or be inside the loco cab. If the switch is missing, it may have been removed by someone who wanted to keep the loco locked in forward, without the chance of someone accidentally moving the switch.
If there is no switch, or you find the switch and the loco still will not change directions after moving it the the opposite position, you might consider replacing the board with with a Bachmann reverse board, which has provisions for adding a direction lock switch if you want one.
https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=77_222&products_id=10587
Len
Thanks Len, I'll check it Tuesday after the club meeting.