Hi O gauge folks! This is the first time I've posted here. It seems that the responses on this forum are more in-depth technical and lend themselves more to kit-bashers and techies like me than the Facebook groups. I appreciate that!
I have a Lionel Pennsylvania Flyer set (6-83984, newer bluetooth version). The 0-8-0 locomotive from the set stalls over switches at low speeds. I've carefully checked, and this is due to the drive wheels losing contact with the grounded outer rails going over the switch points. I noticed that one of the rear trucks on the tender has wheel pickups. These pickups are attached to the tender/engine electrical coupling through a wire that I noticed was broken. Despite this broken wire, the engine appeared to run normally. I fixed the wire, but the engine still stalls. I'd like to attach this ground to the engine ground so the engine doesn't stall. Specifically, here are my questions:
1.) I'm having trouble dissasembling the engine. I can't seem to get the smoke unit free so I can remove the boiler shell. Are there assembly or service drawings or descriptions available somewhere for this engine? Are electrical diagrams available for these modern engines?
2.) Any idea what the tender wheel pickup is for on this engine? As I mentioned, it doesn't seem to do anything, and the engine seems to run fine (except for the turnout stalls) with or without it. Could I make it into an extra ground pickup that would help the engine from stalling?
Many thanks in advance for your helps. Pictures attached as well.
