This engine has found two spots on my layout where it stalls.
I notice that LL/Walthers on new 0-8-0 have tender pickup. Live and learn.
I remember MR review of initial offering cautioned against trying this. Don’t remember whether caution had to do with being properly licensed as a brain surgeon or just a specific approach wasn’t a good idea.
So, anyone throw caution to the wind and try this(successfully)?
Almost to the point of bringing aboard a diesel switcher.
I’d love to keep the 0-8-0 on the active roster so any suggestions would be welcomed.
Here is what I posted about a year ago on this topic. However note that Walthers now owns Proto so I am certain things are different now…
The simplest way is to use parts from an 0-6-0.
First a couple of notes. Officially Lifelike doesn’t sell parts, so you have to ask for repair parts. I found the Proto 2000 people to be quite helpful, but, I guess that could be because I own and have sent in the registration cards for mass quantities of Proto 2000 loco’s. Anyway, I got a parts list from one of my 0-6-0s and ordered the ones appropriate to “power” the tender. I would hope anyone else doing this owns at least one 0-6-0 or one of the latest run of 2-8-8-2. You could also throw in a few bucks to cover at least shipping chargers.
parts from an 0-6-0 needed: #TS3 internal power strip bracket screw (quantity 2) #T8 internal power strip bracket (quantity 2) #T9 internal power strips & spring (quantity 2) #T17 truck frame (quantity 2) #T18 power wipers (quantity 4) #T19 wheel axles (quantity 4)
If you have the exploded 0-6-0 tender diagram it is obvious how they go together. If not slide the tang of the power pickups through the slot in the truck frame and put in the wheel axles. The rest should become obvious when you try to put the truck onto the tender. You will have to loosen the internal circuit board and upper tender floor to install the internal spring/power strips. Depending on the age of the 0-8-0 tender you might not need the T17 truck frames because the ones you have might already have the slots for the wipers. You also might have to cut slots for the power wipers to go through the tender floor, and might have to drill holes for the #TS3. Finally one simply solders leads onto the T9 and connect them to the track power feed from the loco.
parts from a 2-8-8-2 needed: #T70 power wiper springs (quantity 4) #T18 power wipers (quantity 4) #T19 truck frame (quantity 2)
