MTH N & W J611 4-8-4 not working with DigiTrax

Is the tether between the engine and tender fully plugged in? Lay both connected on their side on a cloth and check closely.

Also, some say it doesn't matter but the bare metal wire should be touching the post as well. Maybe it's just needed to conduct on certain models? Position it so it makes contact when the tether is inserted. I believe it's in the manual.

Thanks for the response I will check both

I also had issues with my PS3 2 rail N&W J.  Starting on Jan 27 there were several pages of posts on the 2 rail forum titled MTH 2 rail Steam.  A number of 2 rail MTH steam locomotive owners commented about issues and solutions with electrical pickup on their MTH locomotives in 2 rail mode.  I think you will find your issue has nothing to do with running your J in DCC mode.  Most likely the issue is with a faulty electrical path from the rails to the tender mounted DCS PS3 circuit board.  That little spring wire under the drawbar is a commonly reported issue, but in my case there were other issues as well.   Recommend you search the 2 rail forum for those posts and consider your options.  If you decide to have the locomotive repaired under warrantee ask the technician do a final test on 2 rail track as the pickup paths are totally different in 3 rail mode.   

Thanks Ed I think I remember reading some of those posts I will go back and check them out where you able to resolve your issues satisfactuallly  thanks scott

and here we go!

https://ogrforum.com/topic/mth-2-rail-steam

any luck with this?

Joe,

Been reading through the posts on the link you sent but I have just not had the time last week to to try and trouble shoot.  But I do intend to get to this week.  I will post want I come up with. 

Hello Scottie, I had the same issues with my 3-rail N&W "J". I found out that if the metal spring/bar isn't attached correctly to the metal bar that the wireless drawbar connects to, it won't work properly. The instructions for this is on the foam cradle and in the instruction manual that comes with your engine..................rogerw.

Thanks to all, I did indeed find that the metal spring bar was not attached properly as suggested and mentioned. Seems to be working as it should for now.  I only have about 40 ft of track laid so far so it is a minimal run but I wanted a steam engine like this to test the track with as I lay it.  I'm using Handlaid track from fast tracks and some Micro Engineering Flex Code 148 and I have to say so far I'm leaning more to the handlaid, seems to be a smoother system. Thanks again for the help.

Scott