Solution to an old problem

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

We have all had to deal with the un-wanted trips of the Lionel mechanical e-units. If we use a whistle tender with our mecahanical e-unit engines, could we not run a wire from the pick-up rollers feeding the tender to the pick-up roller wires on the engine, thereby giving the engine more contact points on the middle rail? Wouldn’t that cut down on the un-wanted e-unit trips? Maybe, we could install a mini plug so the tender and engine would not be permanently wired together?

George

2

George, probably would. Back years ago, I use to run three U36B’s MU’ed together. Used the same concept to run each unit off of one central Eunit. Hardly ever got a unwanted trip of the Eunit. Why, had 6 pickups spread over a long distance. OGR Backshop video shows this being done to a K-Line switcher. Think you have hit on something to solve your problem.

3

All my steam locomotives are wired that way. I also have a 2023 set and a pair of NW-2s permanently tethered together.