How do I add pickups on my brass articulateds?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

My brass engines tend to stall a lot. No surprise. There must be some good ways to add more pickups on both sides. What are my options?

2

Art:

I use the Tomar locomotive pickup sliders on my articulateds–in fact, on ALL my brass steamers. I usually install one shoe between the 2nd and 3rd drivers (on the rear set for the articulateds), then another shoe on the opposite side on the first tender truck. Tomar has complete instructions on installing them. With just two shoes, I don’t have stalling problems at all. All you need is a #61 drillbit, a #90 tap and you’re in business. And they’re really hardly visible at all when the locos on the track.

Tom [:)]

3

Here are some suggestions.

http://www.nmra.org.au/Hints/Brass/Brass.html

This should work just fine for DC.

Rich

4

Like Tom, I used the Tomar pick-up shoes on my John English Pacific. While over 50 years old, and still with its original open frame motor, it’s a smooth runner and a good puller, too. However,with brass driver tires, electrical pick-up isn’t the best. I’m currently re-building the loco, but I installed the pick-ups first, to make sure that it would be worthwhile to do the other work. I’m going to use a Bachmann tender, so I didn’t bother altering it. Here’s the loco, with a scratchbuilt tender:

I added two pick-up shoes:

They’re barely visible, even unpainted:

When the re-build is finished, I’ll use a plug like this between the loco and tender, although only a single one will be required:

This double one is on an Athearn Mike - I’ve installed Bachmann trucks, with pick-ups, on the Athearn tender:

Here’s that old loco as it looks currently:

Wayne

5

Wayne: Who makes the connectors?

6

http://members.shaw.ca/sask.rail/plug-and-socket/Little-Plugs-and-Sockets.html

Rich

7

I was tempted to respond to the title of your post by saying that you could probably glue one to the top of the boiler or atop the tender but you would have to be cautious that the cab roof of your pickup did not collide with the underside of tunnels or bridges.

Anyway, doctorwayne’s response outlines the way I would probably do it if I had to. Back when Custer was a cadet I had the opportunity to visit an outside third rail HO layout. For those who are not aware of it, these systems ran on AC and wipers protruded from the underside of the loke contacting an outside third rail that carried power.

If memory serves me the NMRA once carried a feature on adding (track) wipers for additional electrical contact. There was also an article in one of the hobby magazines about doing this but I can’t remember which one and I can’t remember when it might have been.

8

That’s a useful link, Rich, thanks for posting it.

I don’t know who makes the connectors - they come in various sizes (number of pins) in a clear plastic bag with a part number on it. I got mine at Sayall Electronics, but they should be available at any electronics parts warehouse. The only one in the U.S. that comes to mind is the Electronic Warehouse, but I’m sure that there are many others.

Wayne