This trolley runs off a battery pack that uses AA batteries connected to the track.. The tracks are reversing tracks. Are these tracks the standard reversing tracks so that after Christmas I could use the tracks with a regular power pack and loco? Or are the tracks different and not compatible with with dc operation. Thanks in advance.
I'm not entirely sure, but I know the auto reversing track requires an auto reversing module, so it's probably dcc. However, I would read the manual before taking any action
Thanks
I'm not so sure it is DCC. Bachmann's ad makes no mention of DCC. It says "auto-reversing E-Z Track" so I'm sure it is the same track. There is a video here that shows the set up. Click on the little black camera icon with the triangle. I don't see any other electronics except the battery holder.
https://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=487_672&products_id=6704 (https://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=487_672&products_id=6704)
The set uses the special "reversing" track, with the wire tunnel underneath, not standard EZ-Track. The reversing circuit is built into the track section the battery box connects to. The box is hardwired, and doesn't use a terminal track plug in. So to use it with a standard transformer, you'd have two choices:
1. Use a multimeter to verify which power pack connection is '+' and which is '-'. Use the direction switch to change if you want it the opposite way. Connect to the '+' contact in the battery box to the power pack '+', and the '-' to the '-'., with small alligator clips test leads if you want to use batteries with the trolley next year. It's important that the polarities match.
2., Remove the box from the end of the connecting wires, leaving enough connected to the box to verify which is the '+' and which is the '-'. Verify which power pack connector is set to '+' and which to '-'. Connect the power track wires to the appropriate power pack terminals. Again, it is important to keep the polarity of the connections correct.
Len