My dad bought his trains around the 1948-50 period, I think. There is a black wire hanging out the center opening in the front trucks under the locomotive. Thinking it had come loose, I removed the 2 screws that hold the trucks to the frame. There is no obvious place where it was attached and the wire does not appear to have ever been soldered.
So, I put it back together and the transformer faulted out when applying track power. I looked at the opening and there are 2 copper spring contacts in there. One of them was not making contact. The red wire is still attached. I can't imagine the track power is being carried through that 18 ga wire and I can't understand what function those contacts are playing. I messed w/ the one contact that was not touching anything and finally the locomotive ran but this still does not make sense to me.
Anyone know what that black wire is for? And, pls can someone explain the 2 contacts down there?
Thanks! tuey
