726 Berkshire Question

[EIS2]

The November 2005 issue of Classic Toy Trains has a picture of a 726 Berkshire (page 67, lower photo). What are the two screws with the coil springs in the cab of the locomotive with the arrow and caption "Electrical components cleaned and inspected". The brushes look like they are above the screws.

The reason I ask is because I have a 736 Berkshire and the electrical components in the cab look different. The 736 was supposed to be identical to the 726 except the 736 had magnatraction.

Regards...
EIS

[Chris F]

The 726 loco in the article is the 1946 version with the "ATOMIC" motor. The two "screws" with the springs are tubular brush holders. The two items that look like brush holders are e-unit receptacles. Note in Figure 1 that there is a wire connected to one of the recepticles. When plugged in one way, the e-unit can cycle. When plugged in the other way, the e-unit is locked in position. Thus, there was no protruding e-unit lever.

726 locos from 1947-48 had tubular brush holders and an e-unit lever, while later 726's, and the 736's, had the brush holders as part of the backplate assembly as well as e-unit levers.

[EIS2]

Chris,

Thank you for the info. The springs seem quite large for brushes. I have never seen an e-unit like that. Thanks again.

EIS