New 2/3 rail engine question

 The problem would be telling you how to convert that engine to three rail, and having something go wrong. It is set up for two rail. The wires on the tender from the board are getting their "hot" from the spring wipers against those wheels. I could tell you to remove them and attach the rollers to those leads, and throw the 3 rail switch, but that might lead to a disaster?

 If it were me, I would remove the tender's shell and trace the wires using the upgrade instructions for a board. Different engines sometimes get wired differently than any standard over the years and after modifications. That's why you can't just  swap a tender for example.

 Hopefully someone can give more precise instructions for this exact model. Make sure you use the plastic pieces to isolate the roller from the tender. The 1 roller you have in the picture, appears to be set up to go to an engine. It's probably the same roller.

They screw right onto the tender trucks. Takes about a minute or so.

 Hmm, thanks. Does he need to do anything with the wipers? Are there separate leads already in there??

Are those the only two rollers? If so did you look under the engine. Also did you read the instructions?

Ralph

Those are the only two rollers, seems to me they should be the same? the directions are generic and show a northern type locomotive. the downloaded manual doesn't say anything. I think the wipers stay on, a photo in the downloaded manual shows the pickups on the tender on a three rail model. Why are the pickup rollers different? There is insulation pieces on the tender trucks also?

And I only got one three rail coupler for a switcher? I am using Kadees so this doesn't matter. 

Clem 

Clem,  The one with the hex normally goes to the engine.  But with the nut on like that it requires you to remove the shell to install.  Can you shoot a picture of the engine bottom?

 

This may be worthy of a call to MTH, the 2R/3R switch is in front of the DCS/DCC switch.

 

Normally for the 2R/3R models the pick ups are added or removed without having to take the shell off, and the switch is placed in the appropriate position.

 

Since this is a 2R model the wiring may be different.  I am also surprised the instructions don't address this.

 

Worth a call into MTH service to ask.   G

Good morning G

 

There is nothing down inside the two square holes in bottom of engine.

I purchased mth 2 rail before(diesels) and it was always just two screws and flip the switch.

GGG

I talked to MTH customer service and sent them photo's, 

 

Let you know what happens

 

Clem

On the MTH 2/3 engines I've worked on, there is a screw and wire attached that goes down from the inside of the boiler into the nut you see above the roller. That is your center rail power feed. The wire is probably attached to the frame right now. Both feeds should be wired together inside the engine.

I had one of these new 0-6-0s. The rollers go on the tender. They don't go on the engine on the 0-6-0. I don't have it anymore or I would shoot you a photo. MTH didn't put any instructions in the box though which doesn't help.

 

Thank you everyone for your Help

 

The engine is running great…The roller pickups go on the tender. Just like my other 2 rail MTH just take the screws out put the rollers on and flip the switch to three rail. The issue was that one roller with the nut and insulator installed, It was not right, MTH said take that insulator off and use the roller like the other one. They were surprised to see that roller like that.

    Now I have to replace my one last gargraves switch, this 2 rail stuff doesn't like them.

Excellent smoker, nice smooth slow speed and a teakettle whistle. Without the sounds on it is silent running. This will be doing duty in my industrial area.

 

Thank you

Clem k

 

  

Makes sense Clem.  The way the engine is set up it can't take rollers.  Maybe originally they were going to have one roller on the engine and one on the tender, but changed to both on the tender.  Now you have spare parts for your Diesels!

Good thing to know. Thanks Clem. I have a new 2rail 0-6-6 also, but since I'm running 2rail I just set the rollers asideand never gave it a second thought. You learn something new every day. Surprised they didn't put that in the instructions.

 

Thanks,

Ralph

Slightly different design.  This three/two pick-up is on a Russian Decapod.  Note that the two rail wipers are different.