Am I the only one who thinks the drawbar setup on this engine is cheesy? I am thinking I may need to pick up some spares...
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Originally Posted by gibson man:
Am I the only one who thinks the drawbar setup on this engine is cheesy? I am thinking I may need to pick up some spares...
How about a little more information:
1) Premier or RailKing?
2) Just how "new" is this model?
3) What sort of "drawbar" are you talking about?
4) The MTH item number is always helpful in these types of discussions.
Brand new imperial railking 30-1600 #822 coal-fired...unless i am mistaken it appears that a plastic covered circuit board will be supporting the weight of tender an cars being pulled...also the design makes lifting engine and tender off track somewhat problematic...
Originally Posted by gibson man:
Brand new imperial railking 30-1600 #822 coal-fired...unless i am mistaken it appears that a plastic covered circuit board will be supporting the weight of tender an cars being pulled...also the design makes lifting engine and tender off track somewhat problematic...
Yes, the latest MTH so-called "wireless drawbar" is essentially a "printed circuit board" type, and is pretty darned strong. I must have close to a dozen MTH Premier steam locomotive models with the exact same drawbar, and have no trouble pulling 50 to 60 cars. Once the drawbar is securely connected electrically, under the engine cab, you should have no problems.
Concerning "lifting engine and tender off the track", it is my recommendation to disconnect the drawbar from under the cab end, instead of trying to pick up the whole model assembly. By lifting the whole model assembly, you stand a chance of twisting that drawbar, and it sure doesn't like THAT.
I'm thinking that a bad derailment that would twist the bar/board...and you need a new board. Wonder how expensive these are to replace?
Originally Posted by gibson man:
I'm thinking that a bad derailment that would twist the bar/board...and you need a new board. Wonder how expensive these are to replace?
Well, I have never had to replace any of my drawbars, but I have purchased the replacement drawbar kits from MTH in order to replace the original ones with shorter drawbars so as to have the tender closer to the engine.
The MTH part numbers for the drawbar kits:
1) For 2.0 models #20-89011 $29.95 three different lengths
2) For 3.0 models #20-89020 $29.95 three different lengths
The drawbar kits are general always listed in every MTH catalog.
The drawbar is harder to assemble on the track than the old tether, but I have to confess, it does look a lot nicer than the big loop of wire. Doubtless, this is why Lionel went to their wireless drawbar years before. 
Originally Posted by gibson man:
I'm thinking that a bad derailment that would twist the bar/board...and you need a new board. Wonder how expensive these are to replace?
When MTH first came out with this drawbar back in 2008 both magazines tested them by twisting them 90 degrees (engine on track and tender on its side). They didn't break under such as stress. I have a Premier Pennsylvania L1s 2-8-2 which came with the first of these drawbars. I haven't had any problems with it.
Stuart
