Lionel Train Issue Will only run Counter Clockwise

issue with my Lionel train after my daughter put metal across the tracks while it was running. will only run consistently in one direction. counter clockwise in forward or reverse. clockwise in forward or reverse it'll run for one second and then quit. any ideas?
thanks in advance
#lioneltrains #lioneltrain #lionel

[@dadoodadaa6282]

Unfortunately, you'll get so many "experts" on here that will only confuse you, and not help.
Sounds like the engine may have a E unit issue.
Should be fairly easy to fix.
If it's the newer solid state on, they're easy to get

[@LarryFopps]

Thanks for that. So there's another element to this. If I turn it around and have it run counterclockwise vs clockwise, it'll go forward all day long and have this issue in reverse vs what you see in the video. Where can I lookup parts for my particular engine. Is there a model number / serial somewhere I'm missing that I can search by?

[@dadoodadaa6282]

If you know what set that is? The locomotive will have a model # and that's the information you need

[@LarryFopps]

@@dadoodadaa6282 I do indeed. But does it still sound like an eunit to you based on the direction vs forward / reverse?

[@dadoodadaa6282]

@@LarryFopps I'm not convinced it is, I think it's something simpler than that.
The fact that it'll run good turned around and then reverse don't work, tells me it's something to do with the pick up rollers

[@gwilson61]

@@dadoodadaa6282 Maybe you have the wires connected wrong on the track - do you have the center rail as power and the outside as ground? - trace from the transformer to the track to see how it is hooked up.

[@mikerapp8163]

I have a newer style loc doing the same. I think the problem is the on board circuit board relative to the directional switch. Motor is good. Everything else works.

[@Petemonster62]

Larry Fopps - The clicking inside the transformer is the circuit breaker disconnecting the power. The circuit breaker will cool off after a few minutes & reconnect power to the track. The problem does seem to be related to the E-unit, but Da doo Da daa may have something there about the pick-up rollers. Take a look at them and see if they are burnt anywhere. Then take a new nylon scrub pad & polish the rollers until they have shiny metal all the way around.

[@LarryFopps]

Appreciate the help. I turned the train around and it's been running forward no problem now the issue is in reverse so it's directional clockwise that's problematic. I plan to pull it all apart and see if any cleaning is needed, but it was fine and instant result of my daughter touching middle track and outside track at the same time putting a car wheel across both.

[@Petemonster62]

@@LarryFopps - Also remember to use that nylon scrub pad to polish the tops of the rails for a good connection!

[@LarryFopps]

@@Petemonster62 yes that's step one on my list of things to do. Ive had this set for 30 years, never once cleaned the tracks. It only gets used Christmas time each year, but they are in desperate need I'm first to admit that.

[@raysrails2164]

Please post when you fix the problem, Ill ckeck back. Good luck.

[@LarryFopps]

Any suggestions on where to start?

[@k4productions]

I have no idea I have never seen anything like this before, good luck

[@gwilson61]

Sounds like the e unit is stuck in reverse - E units can be bi passed