Large Scale Central

Are Lionel and MTH motors typically AC or DC?

General Discussion
#1

I know Lionel uses AC track, and from what I understand MTH O’gauge trains can run on either AC or DC (?). Am I correct about MTH? And are the motors in Lionel expecting AC current? (or is there a conversion before it gets to the motor)?

I’m trying to understand the power expectations of the motors in these trains. I’m also wondering if there is any pathway to running these trains DeadRail?

Do any of these O gauge trains contain a plug (similar to the DCC plugs in HO) that give a DIY guy the opportunity to fiddle with alternative power and/or control?

Just curious.

#2

So Lionel makes/made both Large Scale (1:32) and O scale , and MTH makes/made both Large Scale and O scale …

So the large scale stuff definitely use DC motors.

I know the older Lionel O scale used AC motors, but I cannot answer you for current Lionel and MTH O scale.

Yes, most AC motors can be made to run on DC… pretty common thing.

Could they be made to use the Tam Valley DeadRail? Yes.

Regards, Greg

#3

In the last 20 years or so, most of the motors for both Lionel and MTH, as well as AtlasO, Weaver, 3rd Rail, and other manufacturers of 0 Gauge 3 rail trains, use DC motors. There is a rectifier that converts the AC power in the track to DC in the locomotive.

I recommend this site for your questions about DCC… 0GaugeRR DCC Forum

Battery/RC, sometimes called Deadrail is gaining acceptance in 0 gauge 3 rail. There is some discussion about it, here… Freerails.com Deadrail Forum

If your questions are about 0 Scale (2 rail), then they have always had DC motors, most, if not all of the current stock are plug ‘n’ play DCC, and are readily adapted to Deadrail.