Even better. This is an AC locomotive. Be sure that the solenoid does not engage when you want the motor to run. It should only klick when you send the pulse of higher voltage. The most common problem is that the little spring that holds the moving park of the solenoid back is misadjusted or even missing. It should be on one little clear plastic hook and one brass hook. The brass hook can be bent a little to adjust the tension of the spring. To loose: the engine will stop from fast motion. To stiff: the engine will jump when you send the reversing command. As long as you do not have the matching variac and a meter of rails try operating the motor from a very low voltage. Say 1 V, then turn the bench supply up and watch the solenoid. As soon as the solenoid engages it interrupts current to the motor. When it falls back it connects the other field coil.