7374/7375 Reversing Mechanism

[VicKlicktor]

Hello,

Has anyone used this set in layouts?

Playdalai at Amclicks shows these photos in a thread where many items not included in Collector 3rd edition book are rediscovered:


7374 (UK version)
7375 (USA version)



I am confused, according to the instructions image this set would not be used in a loop, just in open straight tracks. What would be the idea to have it if the loco driving direction (forward/back) can be changed directly with the control speed knob in transformer? First photo says "automatic reversing" but the knob has to be turned off manually to stop the train just in the buffer, I guess. 

LGB has a reversing loop (P/N 10151) which makes more sense:

[playmofire]

You use this unit where you have an end-to-end layout rather than a  round-and-round one.

The train runs to one end of the line, pauses and then returns to where it started and pauses again before repeating the process.

By using points at each end, you can actually have the train running end-ot-end while going round and round a layout.

I'm away from home but will post some photos when I return.

You'll find more here:
http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=16220.0
but sadly the video doesn't work any more thanks to Photobucket.  I'm away from home at the moment, but I'll upload the video to my YouTube channel when I get home on Monday.

[Marco_4124]

Give me a little time to react.

[VicKlicktor]

By using points at each end, you can actually have the train running end-ot-end while going round and round a layout.

I'm away from home but will post some photos when I return.

Thanks! Now it makes more sense to me.
It will be very interesting to watch those photos

[Marco_4124]

Playmobil 7374 is not intended for reversing loops, but to allow a train to automatically move back and forth between two end points. It is still being made, but as a LGB L10345 (old version 10340 and even older 0090) reversing unit. For Playmobil only the shape of the buffer stop has been changed. In the buffer stop is the electronics that ensures that the train automatically turns after detection in the track. If I am not wrong, the waiting time can also be set.

P.s.: If the manual is still included in the box, you can help me with scans from it. Than I can add it to the list of old train manuals for other Playmobil train fans (I translate them to PDF files).

[Walts-Trains]

These were issued to shops from the 1980s for shop displays. This was when the Playmobil trains ran on LGB track.
I know of one at the Conwy Valley Railway Museum in Betws Y Coed that has been operating in the shop for over 30 years. The timing on them can not be adjusted so depending on the length of the track will depend on how long the train stops for at the end. I have one in my collection.

[playmofire]

Here is a little video of the shuttle in use.  The pause time on this video is brief, but it seems to have settled with further use at about 17-19sec at each end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=335XckJJ_jQ

Now, if at each end you have a set of points, it is possible to have the train run on one route left to right and back on another route right to left.  You can put in curves and straights as you wish so long as at each end there is a terminus section with a split rail and diode o stop th e train.

I'll make a simple layout up in the next few days and video it to show what I mean.

[VicKlicktor]

P.s.: If the manual is still included in the box, you can help me with scans from it. Than I can add it to the list of old train manuals for other Playmobil train fans (I translate them to PDF files).

Unfortunately, I do not have this set but maybe playmofire or Walts still keep instructions

I'll make a simple layout up in the next few days and video it to show what I mean.

Thanks, it will be great!!!

In my opinion, this option would have fitted very well for a tram if Playmobil had released one, or even better, something like a San Francisco cable car.

[playmofire]

As promised, here is a short video of an end-to-end-round-and-round layout.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUB0Oi_7OAQ

The track's a bit bumpy and uneven and is quite steep running left to right, hence the rush of the train to the right hand buffers which exaggerates the sudden stop of the Playmobil shuttle.  At lower speeds, such as you would have on a country branchline, the sudden stop is not so noticeable.  Putting as couple of diodes on rails before the split rail would slow the train a bit more and give an effect of gradual braking.

I'm not sure how far you could extend a layout of this sort before you might reach the point where the electronics would stop the train before it reached the terminus.

[Tiermann]

Great video Gordon, thanks!
 I think I need to get one of these some time. It would be interesting to swap out the motor for the express passenger trains and use it with this sort of device for point to point passenger traffic. I too wonder about possible distances.