I have an MTH NYC Hudson 30-1025 which was originally PS1, but was upgraded to PS2. It was running fine on O-31 MTH track. Before Christmas I built a layout with a loop of O-36 and another of O-48 Fastrack. I just reconfigured my layout by adding 2 switches between the two loops. The Hudson ran fine on the O-48, but when I switch it to the O-36, it stops and shuts down. Checking the plug from the tender to the cab, I felt it was loose, and upon the slightest tightening, the Hudson would immediately fire back up. Now I see that it is doing it whenever I run on O-36, but not ever on O-48. It is now obvious that when it is on the smaller diameter curve the cable is pulling the plug ever so slightly loose so that the engine shuts down, but the headlight stays on. Every time I press the plug back it comes back to life and runs like a champ.
Admittedly, I am not able to push the plug back in with a lot of force with my right hand fingers only. I can't hold anything tightly with my left hand that was operated on last Monday. My right hand needs surgery later, as well. I had my wife try, but it still comes loose only on the O-36. I also looked at the plug and socket, and all the pins look straight and I don't see any visible wear. Maybe I don't know what a good one looks like, because I have purchased all my locomotives used. ;-)
Has anyone encountered this on any MTH locomotives, and what did you do to make it stay tight? I hope I don't have to get a new cable, plug, and socket. I will show a couple of photos with it loose. To the eye, I can't tell when it is loose, only by touch.
