Post your non-O scale stuff here!
I did this with one of the 1987 Lionel G gauge locos I recently asked about here. The loco ran ok for a few minutes, started to sputter a bit & then went silent. Now, if this was AC going into a DC loco, would the loco have just died & fried immediately, or is it possible for to have run for a short time like this then die? Thanks. 
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Yes as Lionel Large Scale loco's operate on DC only.
The engine will run for a short time like you mentioned and then die as AC power harms a DC motor very fast(not instantly) but can take several minutes to do so. You should have heard or seen a slight unusual buzzing sound from the engine first.
To run DC engines from an AC transformer you need to add a bridge rectifier, 6 amp 50 volt, into the wiring some how, either you put it in line with the track power or add it into the engine itself. The bridge rectifiers are very inexpensive, around $3.00 or less on line from an electronics vendor.
Lee Fritz
Thank you, C. Jones & Lee.
Hmmm.... this is curious as the transformer's label lists its it has having both DC & AC output, but only one set of outgoing terminals.
What is the transformer model number?
And when you say it "ran OK for a few minutes", it moved forward and reverse with throttle controlled speed?
Just as Phillyreading said that's exactly what I have done with my MTH Z4000. I left the left side alone to run AC trains (3 rail) and added a bridge rectifier to the right side to run DC power to my 2 rail trains. Works great. I have also run AC trains on DC power but never run DC trains on AC power.
Rick
I would not blame the transformer. It sounds like a completely different problem entirely, as there is NOTHING normal about a can motor on AC current. It will jerk back and forth VERY rapidly (personal experiance says so), and will take a while to die.
Forward & reverse throttle, correct Stan2004. I was too lazy to pull the Lionel-supplied DC transformer out of my PRR Large Scale passenger set (at the bottom of a pile of stuff under my layout) & used a generic 50-year old transformer (in a compact, blue metal case) which my late father-in-law had connected to a set of LBG-manufactured track leads. (Because he had the LGB leads on it, I figured it would be safe!) I will pull out the Lionel-supplied DC transformer when I get home from work tonight & pass along the brand & model of the questionable transformer also. 
Just to update you all, & thank you again for your advice: The Lionel Large Scale PRR 0-6-0 I was concerned about is fine after all. (A closer look at the old transformer I was using indicates I was, in face, sending DC to the track, not AC. I did some more tinkering with the loco, mainly a good cleaning of the wheels (they didn'tlook that dirty) & gave it a bit more running time. It is running fine! I put some plastic-safe Labelle lube on the drive rods to kill the annoying squeaks.
Thank you all again! I will be running this set at my daughter's backyard high school graduation party next weekend. I like to take any opportunity to provide a "conversation piece" for our "non-railroad" visitors! Pulling this set into service seemed like a good idea.
This was a head-scratcher so thanks for the update. Like the children's story about the Emperor's New Clothes it's a testament to the politeness of the OGR crowd as no one wanted to directly say that what you saw just simply can't be!! 
When returning to O after many years, I forgot about MPC DCv motors, and getting one free when buying a K-4, I tried running on a KW. The can motor stuttered along for about a foot or two before it smoked.
Keeping the rails and wheels clean does seem a bit more imperative on two rail.
That's the downfall of the old Lionel large scale line of loco's...that is the wheels are made of aluminum with power pickup brushes rubbing the backside. The aluminum will oxidize almost as fast as you can clean them. They will work great today but tomorrow...who knows? I had 6 GP20's that were a constant battle to keep running...I finally sold them all.
Glad you didn't hurt it by using on AC. The loco's with electronic boards won't tolerate any AC....Even the Railsounds equipped ones are set up for DC power.
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...ents/78-5000-250.pdf
Here's the info for the Lionel 0-6-0...
Starting the press with the axle in a drill press's chuck is a another option.
(echo?
)
Casey Jones2 posted:That's the downfall of the old Lionel large scale line of loco's...that is the wheels are made of aluminum with power pickup brushes rubbing the backside. The aluminum will oxidize almost as fast as you can clean them. They will work great today but tomorrow...who knows? I had 6 GP20's that were a constant battle to keep running...I finally sold them all.
Glad you didn't hurt it by using on AC. The loco's with electronic boards won't tolerate any AC.
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...ents/78-5000-250.pdf
Here's the info for the Lionel 0-6-0...
Casey: The PRR 0-6-0 actually has brass wheels. (It is mentioned in the link you provided above). The other one I have, a Tuscan PRR 0-4-0 from the Thunder Mountain(?) passenger set, appear to be the aluminum wheels you mention.
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