MTH Bump and Go Trolley track voltage

it would help if you give us the trolley mth item number so we know what your talking about!?????

typically the bump  n go trolleys run at a slow speed and you set the speed so the trolley moves just fast enough to bump the end of the of line so it bumps the bumper which throws a switch in the trolley to reverse the trolley, you have to play with the speed to get it just right, not to fast but if not fast enough it won't fully throw the switch to reverse the trolley . im not sure if that's what you have but I d have some of the trolley's and that how they work!

are these what you talking about on ebay?

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.htm...mp+n+go&_sacat=0

https://mthtrains.com/sites/de...ction/30dl10209i.pdf

read the above will tell u how your trolley works!

Alan

To be clear, by "original starter set" you have:

But you do NOT have a Z-controller which looks like this:

Perhaps just semantics but the "original" MTH starter sets came with a brick and a Z-controller.  This allowed adjustment of track voltage using the knob on the Z-controller.  Later on, the command-controllable MTH starter sets came with the components in the first photo.  Instead of a Z-controller to adjust track voltage, you got a remote and a lock-on.  The voltage of the track was always fixed at 18V AC.

So if you have a Z-controller you're set.  Just use the brick and the Z-controller to reduce the 18V brick voltage to achieve a suitable trolley speed.  I'd guess there are thousands of Z-controllers sitting in boxes in basements and garages as folks have migrated to command-control.  You can find them used for $10, $20 at a train show or free from someone at a train club or whatever especially if you say it's for your son to get him interested in the hobby! 

So, as you've no doubt figured out, you need some power source with adjustable output voltage.  You don't need much power for a bump-n-go trolley...50 Watts as was provided in the lowest power MTH brick is more than enough.  There are countless other train transformers with adjustable voltage output that you can pick up used for, say, $10, $20 or free-to-a-good-home that would work. 

Sorry, by "original" I was referring to "our original" set which is like the 1st picture...so it sounds like I just need to find a Z Controller and we're set (as opposed to using the remote).  Fortunately I can still put the "blame" on Santa and the elves when things don't work immediately and I'm blessed with a patient little guy (as 9 year olds go).  Thank you!  If I'm off on anything or there's an easier/better way I'm all ears!

My trolley with roller pickups like 11v-14v.  The sliding shoe ones like a steady 13v.

I have a bunch of these and love them. This is the ideal controller. 2 or 3 clicks up and it’s perfect bump and go speed. They aren’t made any more. Any variable speed transformer will work  you can even use a DC one made for HO gauge. You can’t really see it but the transformer plugs into the IR receiver, gen I jumper power to the second track with lock ons. 

OK, so maybe a few too many Jack and Cokes, but are U saying I can use the remote control and don't need the Z Controller?  I'll solder directly to the track rather than the lockon

No. You can solder track to track for the second line. For the first line you need variable power. In my example the gray IR receiver on the right clips into the track. The black brick has a barrel connector that plugs into the IR receiver (that’s the power). The middle rocker on the handheld controls power to the track. The other buttons would allow you to control a conventional loco. 

Alternatively you could solder leads from any variable transformer to the track. Just google O gauge transformer for AC control that you’ll be able to use with other conventional o gauge (the trolley is conventional no command electronic control). Or because the trolley just goes back and forth, it runs great on DC as well. So any HO gauge transformer will work. The Z 500 controller in Stans picture needs an MTH brick to supply power and wires to track on the output. For a trolley an HO transformer as small and cheap as this will work fine. 

Are there too many Jack and Cokes? Put in less coke if you’re worried about calories. 
  

So this is what I currently have...when the Jack wears off tomorrow, if I connect the remote commander to the track (either soldered or lock on) I can use the remote to control the voltage/trolley speed?

I appreciate the responses and apologize for my ignorance but I'm determined that this will be working before my little man returns 😃

No. What you have will ONLY control MTH locos with PS2 or PS3 electronics. They put a constant voltage on the track and you tell electronics on the loco how fast to spin the motor, when to start stop, make noise etc. By using the handheld. 
The bump and go trolleys just have motors in them that spin when voltage is applied. They reverse direction because the bumpers push a switch back and forth that reverses the direction the motor spins. No sounds, no reversing direction except by bumping. 
Your command controller is for the latest cool electronics made by MTH.

You need the still great, and much simpler setup that allows you to manually vary the track voltage. This varies the trolley speed. 

I don't know why I'm struggling with this...what you show in your video is exactly what I'm trying to achieve...so what do I need to buy for the simple set up?  Drinks are on me (don't know where U are but even if remotely) 😃

Look closely. I have a different controller. Same size. Same black brick to supply power. Completely different way of controlling the train/trolley. My controller is no longer in production. my controller varies the track voltage. (There are many alternatives still in production, but all use a knob or lever to vary voltage. They aren’t remotes. Your controller tells very specific locomotive electronics how fast to go.
The easiest way to get the controller you need, if your in a hurry is a local hobby shop. If you don’t have one, a call to any of our sponsors and they will sell you exactly what you need. I’m partial to TrainWorld because I’m in Brooklyn and Long Island often enough that they are my LHS.  I really like the one I showed you, but you’ll have to get that on the bidding site where I took a screen shot. 

Canes RR posted:

I don't know why I'm struggling with this...what you show in your video is exactly what I'm trying to achieve...so what do I need to buy for the simple set up?  Drinks are on me (don't know where U are but even if remotely) 😃

OK...this is pretty crazy coincidence...I was getting out boxes to start putting Christmas decorations away and came across an old Bachman HO Christmas set my parents used to put around their tree...lots of missing pieces but the old transformer was still in there...and it works!  Not the smoothest start/stop and inconsistent power as it goes around/away from the power source but not bad...perhaps it will be better when I solder directly to the track in the future?  If nothing else it helped me better understand how all this works.

Thank you Marty!!!  No way it would have even remotely occurred to me that I could use this thing for the trolley without your input and pictures!

Canes RR posted:

OK...this is pretty crazy coincidence...I was getting out boxes to start putting Christmas decorations away and came across an old Bachman HO Christmas set my parents used to put around their tree...lots of missing pieces but the old transformer was still in there...and it works!  Not the smoothest start/stop and inconsistent power as it goes around/away from the power source but not bad...perhaps it will be better when I solder directly to the track in the future?  If nothing else it helped me better understand how all this works.

Thank you Marty!!!  No way it would have even remotely occurred to me that I could use this thing for the trolley without your input and pictures!

You’re welcome. Wait! Where’s my old Bmann transformer!?!? I sent you a picture and now it’s on your floor! Hope you and your son get lots of enjoyment. There are smoother throttles, but for now, you’re in business. I don’t think soldering will help as much as a better transformer and making sure your track connections are all good. I’m a big fan of the banana connectors. 

Yeah, I was laughing when I first saw it 😃