Has anybody else had problems with one of the new drawbar tethers on an MTH loco coming loose? Also, is there a quick fix for this or do I have to replace the drawbar? Thanks in advance
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Originally Posted by Andrews-s-c:
Has anybody else had problems with one of the new drawbar tethers on an MTH loco coming loose? Also, is there a quick fix for this or do I have to replace the drawbar? Thanks in advance
What do you mean by "coming loose"? I have changed out a number of the so called "wireless" drawbars on my later MTH steam locomotive models (for shorter ones for close coupling), and have yet to encounter a "loose" one.
The drawbar inserts into the tender connection just as it should, but after just a few times around the layout it works itself loose and although it doesn't fall all the way out, it becomes disconnected from the tender and the loco stops dead in its tracks. I've never seen anything like this either.
Originally Posted by Andrews-s-c:
Has anybody else had problems with one of the new drawbar tethers on an MTH loco coming loose? Also, is there a quick fix for this or do I have to replace the drawbar? Thanks in advance
Yeah..lots...clear tubing, wire ties or tiny rubber bands
Originally Posted by Andrews-s-c:
The drawbar inserts into the tender connection just as it should, but after just a few times around the layout it works itself loose and although it doesn't fall all the way out, it becomes disconnected from the tender and the loco stops dead in its tracks. I've never seen anything like this either.
OK. Then you are not forcing the drawbar into place properly. I have found that one needs to really squeeze the drawbar into place until you can feel the "snap" as you force it into it's socket. I place my fingers firmly between the bottom of the drawbar and the top apron of the tender, and squeeze the crap out of it! You should feel it "snap/click" into place.
The one on my Big Boy comes loose every once in a while. I think it is caused by my track elevation. The connection looks like it flexes a little when it starts up the incline and again when it reaches the top. My track climbs six inches and I smoothed out the transition as best as I could. I usually try to push it back into place when ever I think about it and can reach it.
I guess it is the metal drawbar, it's not a wire tether. I was thinking they were fiber of some sort, but I am probably wrong.
Andrew,
Dobermann has the right idea. I've had several of these. To fix it I put a small black tie wrap around where the drawbar plugs into the tender. Once the tie wrap is cinched down the problem should be eliminated.
Ed Kazarian
Thanks for all the great ideas, guys. Someone on the forum suggested a small O-ring, which is easy to install and take off. It worked like a charm! Thanks again for all the help.
