Erratic running of MTH Rail King Alco RS3 with PS2

Former Member

I have a Mth Rail King RS3 loco with PS2 that I bought from Trainz 4 or 5 yrs ago that was used. When I received it would run on the track a few feet then shut down. Move it an inch or so it would power back up then do the same thing. I sent it back to Trainz and they "fixed" it and it ran fine a short time and started to do the same thing again just occasionally at first then gradually got worse until it was back to it's old self. This is a problem that's more than just cleaning the rollers. I was never able to speak with the tech that fixed it. Does anyone have any ideas as to what may be wrong with it ? It is not the track as you can at any time replace it with another loco and they run fine. Thanks for any input.

Dave

8/17/181:01 AM

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GGGOGR Forum Member

I would check the pickup wires both red and black making sure good continuity. Clean the black ground screws by scrapping off any oxide coating under the head. Clean wheels, and replace pickups. See if that solves it. Pickup rollers can become corroded between inside of roller and pin, causing poor center rail continuity. Otherwise, model matters and maybe a pending board failure. G

8/19/1811:10 AM

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Former Member

I have thought about the possibility of corrosion forming between the inside of the roller and the pin. I am nearly blind and am not able to determine if it is possible to remove the roller, clean the hole and the pin and reinstall it. Can that be done and if not would I have to get new pickups from MTH? Thanks for your reply.

Dave

8/19/183:39 PM

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GGGOGR Forum Member

Just get pickup rollers they are $5ea. G

8/31/189:44 PM

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Former Member

I will just make a couple new ones on my metal lathe out of good quality stainless.

9/1/188:53 AM

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