Anyone replaced the tender-locomotive coupling/connector on a PS-3 loco?

 Well since the problem has been solved and if I may add...

I find that Barry is actually quite easy to work with on problems. He is thorough and does not waver much. He does understand and I laugh when others complain about his stubbornness.

 Now we all have people that we bash with at times. I think John had made a simple statement that needed to be retracted. Of course he just bashed Barry for correcting him. Ah well, who am I to point out flaws? 

Sorry Joe, but I don't see where anything I said needed to be retracted.  The mystery here is how you managed to construe that I was bashing Barry, I don't know how you arrived that that destination.

Interesting post, and I am glad Lee is getting the parts.  One thing I think needs to be considered if going to a wired tether on this engine is the access ports don't really support it.  I have found that vertical loop is necessary especially on tight curves.  So unless you want to go with 6 loose wires and some connector plug in the middle of draw bar, you would need to cut out access on the engine and tender to have a tether setup like the PS-2.

As far as connector goes, many folks don't have problems with the drawbar, but they are easy to damage the tender side connector if attached blindly.  The best way to connect them is to lay them on a towel on the side and connect while you can see what you are doing.  It will lock in place.  I think too many folks connect these with the engine on the track and can't see the connection as it is made.  Either the connector is not snapped into place, or the side of the connector gets distorted and than doesn't hold well.   G

Laying it on it's side and connecting it is exactly how I finally figured to make the connection for these drawbars.  I haven't had any issues once they're connected, it's just getting them connected that's a PITA.

Pity it is a PITA, but it is - a gigantic one.   I don't like it at all on the bigger MTH steamers.  On the 2-8-8 or the 999 4-4-0, its okay if still a pain.  But on the biggfer locos, once you get the connection made (in itself not the easiest thing to do) you have to pick up loco and tender together to set them on the track: they weigh a lot and the loco often has a lot of delicate parts and that coupler itself looks and feels as if, if you aren't careful, you could twist it apart right then and there.  I'm always a bit nervous doing it.  

You are so right Lee, I just grit my teeth and do it.

#1) I must be doing something different. I connect the engine while it's on the track.

2) I don't see....

take another sip of your coffee and sit back.   I was just responding to his post, not suggesting it was a good idea.

or

Why do you have your panties in a bunch over this?

 I would expect more respect from a poster who digs for info here and asks questions from others, than who replies like this.

 If you just answered back to Barry, that would be different.

All is well that ends well.  Patrick;s Trains saw this thread and ordered and sent me the parts.  It is repaired now.  

I really appreciate Patrick doing that.  I'll buy all future locos through them if they carry them.  

All's well that ends well Lee, glad to see you got it back on the rails.

Lee, now you can design and drag a magnetic car behind the engine, following the original route and find those parts in the tunnel  G

Lee, once you design and build the car George has suggested you can take a shot at designing a BRASS magnet car...    

Best,

Dave 

Sure, I sincerely appreciate it.  BTW - if you have any MTH Imperial Triplexes coming, set one aside for me.  25.5 inches, 24 drivers: has to be some kind of record.

Best regards, 

Lee