New MTH Premier Heavy Pacifics w/PS3.0 - mine didn't come with a ground spring bar?

Paul,

I noticed the new engine and stock 50 mm bar did not come with a grounding spring bar - is that normal for some engines?

The spring wire is typically on 3-Rail/2-Rail steamers where the engine needs a ground from the tender, not on all steamers.

Also, what is the purpose of the plastic cover - does it need to be swapped out when replacing stock drawbars with shorter one - what is it for?

It's an insulator and should be present. You can use tape wrapped around the drawbar if you're missing the cover.

The drawbar is a PCB, and has traces and solder pads that can short if they come in contact with metal.

Barry - if I understand - the ground spring bar is for steamers when running in the 2-rail mode? If so, and since I only run in 3-rail mode - could I remove it from the steamers that have it? Or, do some 3-rail steamers need it and some don't? If so, why is that?

Re the black plastic cover - I'll either have to trim it by about an inch or use electrical tape. I'd prefer to get one that matches the length of the drawbar - just in case I have to go back to stock or ever sell the engine. I'll check to see if MTH sells the covers.

All my Premier PS3.0 steamers come with a 50 mm drawbar - the gap between engine and tender is huge.

Paul,

I'd keep the spring. My opinion is that you can never have too many sources of Common for engines with traction tires.  

Barry - do you happen to know what the metal plate and screws are for - they come inside the engine box - but no instructions.

If it is a small piece It probably is a Kadee coupler mount.

Paul,

do you happen to know what the metal plate and screws are for - they come inside the engine box - but no instructions.

Post a picture.

Clem - you're probably right - I never used Kadee so I don't know. There's also a small rectangular box in a separate bag - what is this for?

I swapped out the stock 50 mm drawbar for what I thought was a 45 mm - but turned out to be a 40 mm bar - a PITA to do these. How are you guys trimming the plastic covers - they're black thin plastic - susceptible to breaking. So far the 40 mm bar is working - fell out of tender twice though - that may have been why engine stopped.

I use 5 minute epoxy to cover the exposed contacts and bin the plastic covers. I assume you found the 25 mm to be waaaaaaay too short.

Pete

Paul that is definitely a Kadee mount   The small rectangular box..means you hit the Jackpot. And you already know what it fixes    put that on the tender drawbar stem after you put the drawbar on!! to keep the tender from uncoupling from engine.... Double Jackpot !!   If you don't want the Kadee mount I could use it.

Clem

Clem - am confused - is the rectangular box only used when attaching the Kadee plate?

Pete - the 25 mm is too short for most of my steamers - except for the Camelback - which turns out needs a 10 pin bar since its PS2.0 - also tentatively on my Consolidation - at least on straits - need to measure on curves.

Paul ........post two better pictures....... These are two different items ......Its hard to tell what the small black piece is for sure. However the kadee mount is the small metal piece with the two screws in one bag. Has nothing to do with the small black piece. I don't see a rectangular box. I'm thinking the small black piece keeps the drawbar on.

Post two up close better photos... one of the small black piece...... and one of the small metal piece with the two screws.

Clem - my camera is not the best - am looking to get a better one.

The small black box is an unknown. I've never seen it on any MTH steamers. Maybe it has something to do with the kadee mounting bracket.

Ideally, I'd like to convert to Kadees for all my engines and rolling stock. It'd make a good retirement project - but that is likely years away, if ever for me.

Paul... that is to help hold your drawbar in place on the tender. I'm only going by your photo and briefly seeing one of them.  After you install your drawbar on locomotive and tender push that on stud that should be protruding through drawbar on the tender. Helps keep the drawbar connected, those pesky drawbars like to come undone. MTH just started including them with steam engines.

The small black thing goes on the tender stud where the photo shows me placing a small piece of clear tubing.

Clem

Clem - I think I know what you mean.

I noticed you have plastic washer under the screw that goes into the engine - none of my PS3 steamers came with that washer - only one that goes on the top side of the bar between the spring. Is it a necessary washer?

Its disappointing that MTH doesn't include instructions for all of this.