Electronic reverse unit in Lionel

The circuit board you have pictured appears to be the soundboard. FWIW: the Lionel catalog number, for this lok, is 6-28853. It was cataloged in Vol. 1 of the 2005 Lionel catalog. Info is based on what I found on internet and the Lionel Website. For the reverse unit to function properly, the switch should be in the ON position. If in the ON position and it does not reverse, then, yes, I would suspect the reverse unit board (ERU). I do not have any experience with this specific unit, therefore I don’t know if the ERU is reliable.

Steve

The driver transistors are the top suspect on these reverse boards.  You can replace the board with many 3rd party alternatives, it appears that Lionel doesn't list any parts for this model.

Thanks for the reply and info Steve.

The two wires from the directional control switch do go to the main board .  I'll have to go over it again.

I bought this engine new quite a while ago from a reputable dealer down east in Pa.     No signs of wear or loose parts or screws.     Found THIS in the speaker housing.....................same rating as the ones on that sound board .  No empty spots anywhere on the boards or speaker housing.       (  maybe it was getting close to lunch time )

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

The driver transistors are the top suspect on these reverse boards.  You can replace the board with many 3rd party alternatives, it appears that Lionel doesn't list any parts for this model.

Hey John,  what do these driver transistors look like on the boards ?

Any 3rd party board suggestions ?  Maybe Hennings ?

Do you have a picture of the reverse board?  The Lionel parts site doesn't have any parts listing for the stated model.

I worked on one recently, it uses a DREU reverse board.

I think I have one or two of these somewhere...  They were apparently the victim of the recent Lionel parts purge, all are out of stock and declared obsolete at Lionel.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Do you have a picture of the reverse board?  The Lionel parts site doesn't have any parts listing for the stated model.

@Chuck Sartor posted:

I worked on one recently, it uses a DREU reverse board.

Well guys , I just call this the main board but this is where the two yellow wires from the directional control switch come up through the chassis and connect.

BOTTOM

SIDES

Thanks

I suspect a few of us have one or more of those in captivity, and it's also possible to replace the transistors on those and revive them.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I suspect a few of us have one or more of those in captivity, and it's also possible to replace the transistors on those and revive them.

Is there any of those in captivity that would like to be freed ? 

I have one, send me an email to my profile address.