LGB HGe 2/2 24 Instructions De Service page 6

USA GB
24460
FO Rack Electric Loco, HGe 2/2 24
THE PROTOTYPE
The meter-gauge Furka-Oberalp-
Bahn (FO) links the valleys of Rhine
and Rhone, providing an important
East-West connection in the Swiss
Alps. Since 1942, electric locomo-
tives haul the entire traffic on the
approximately 100 km (65 mile) long
railway. The Furka-Basis tunnel,
completed in 1982, eliminates many
of the steepest sections of the line
and enables year-round operations.
But even today, racks remain neces-
sary on many sections of the FO,
where grades can be up to 17.9 per-
cent.
The four HGe 2/2 locos were built in
1917 for the 3.75 km (2.3 mile) long
Schöllenenbahn, which provided a
connection between the FO and the
standard gauge Gotthard railway at
Andermatt. The locos were equipped
with two electric motors. Power was
transmitted via dummy axles both to
the wheels and to cogs that engaged
in the rack placed in the center of the
tracks. The Schöllenenbahn was
incorporated into the FO in 1961, and
the locos were repainted in FO col-
ors. Unfortunately, none of these
attractive locomotives have been
preserved.
THE MODEL
This detailed model features:
- weather-resistant construction
- factory-installed onboard decoder
for MTS and analog operation
- opening cab doors
- power control switch
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- track or catenary power operation
- protected gearboxes with high-
torque Bühler motor
- rack and adhesion operation
- eight power pickups
- voltage stabilization circuit
- automatic directional lighting
- two multi-purpose sockets with cir-
cuit breakers
- length: 282 mm (11.1 in.)
- weight: 3000 g (6.6 lb.)
THE PROGRAM
With this model, we recommend the
following items:
- 10210 Rack Rails, 300 mm,
12 pieces
- 10220 Rack Rail Holders,
24 pieces
- 10315 RhB Buffer Stop
- 32675 FO Passenger Car, A 4065
- 64462 Rack Loco Coupler Hook,
8 pieces
- 65004 European Electric Loco
Sound Unit
- 65011 Sound Unit Power Storage
For information on the complete LGB
program, see the LGB catalog.
OPERATION
Operating Modes
This model can be operated with
track power or with power from an
LGB catenary system. There is a
power control switch located in
the cab with the engineer figure
(Fig. 1, 2):
Position 0: All power off.
Position 1: Track power to motor and
lights.
Position 2: Catenary power to motor
and lights.
Attention: Do not connect this model
to other loco models with different
starting characteristics. This can
damage the internal gearing.
Rack Operation
LGB rack locomotives can operate on
grades of up to 25%, climbing
250 mm for every 1000 mm of hori-
zontal distance. They can be used on
rack sections and on regular "adhe-
sion" sections.
To install a cog rack, install the
10220 holders between the track
ties. Snap the 10210 racks into the
holders from above.
Hints:
- Avoid grades steeper than 25%.
- Avoid abrupt transitions in the gra-
dient of your tracks. Use several
short straight track sections, like
the 10150, at the beginning and the
end of a steep section.
- Avoid sharp curves on rack sec-
tions. The cog wheel may slide off
the rack.
- To avoid accidental uncoupling, we
recommend installing coupler
hooks on both ends of all rolling
stock. A second coupler hook can
be installed on the front of the loco
as well.
- To prevent the coupler hooks from
rubbing on the cog racks, we rec-
ommend installing 64462 Rack
Loco Coupler Hooks on all rolling
stock.
Multi-Train System
The model is equipped with a facto-
ry-installed onboard decoder for the
LGB Multi-Train System. It can be
used without modifications on ana-
log or digital layouts. For operation
with the Multi-Train System, the
model is programmed to loco
address 03. For information on pro-
gramming the loco address, see the
instructions for various MTS compo-
nents.
When operating with the Multi-Train
System, you can remotely control the
loco's functions. Press the lighting
button ("9" with remotes) to turn the
loco lights on or off.
When operating with the Multi-Train
System, the loco features a "Back-
EMF" function. This keeps the motor
speed constant (and under normal
conditions the loco speed), even
when the load of the loco changes,
for example, in curves or on grades.
This feature does not work at top
speed, because additional voltage
must be available to overcome any
added load.
If desired, numerous functions of the
onboard decoder, such as accelera-
tion, braking, direction of travel and
many others, can be programmed
using a PC and the 55045 MTS PC
Decoder Programming Module (see
Instructions for advanced users).
These functions also can be pro-
grammed from the 55015 Universal
Remote.
Lighting
This model features directional light-
ing. The model has two "flat" multi-
purpose sockets, with removable
covers, one on each end wall. These
sockets can be used to provide track
power to LGB cars with lighting or
sound electronics.
To remove the cover of the socket,
pull it straight out. If the cover is
tight, gently use a small straight
screwdriver to pry it out. (Do not pull
out the rectangular outer housing.)
Power Supply
Attention! For safety and reliability,
operate this model with LGB power
supplies (transformers, power packs
and controls) only. The use of non-
LGB power supplies will void your
warranty.
Use this model with LGB power sup-
plies with an output of at least
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