I use Atlas Custom-Line NS turnouts "Mark 3". Most of my engines run without problems, but, my Mantua 2-6-6-2T articulated logger No. 351600 stalls on the frogs of turnouts. Center right front 3 wheel set and center left rear 3 wheel set. Appears to be single wheel pickup on each side. How can I add additional wiring for multi wheel pickup and where exactly would the connections be made?
I purchased this engine in 2004 and it has never worked and Mantua would never respond. It has never been a priority in the past with multiple "life and medical" issues but now is in the category of "once before I die" that I want to get this engine operating correctly. I like the looks but operating sucks.
You have correctly identified the problem - the pickup wheelbase is short (three drivers, or two plus a traction tire.) I avoid the problem by using hot frogs, since I have DMU, EMU and 0-4-0T locos with even shorter pickup bases.
One idea I have had, but have never built for myself, involves changing to insulated retainers under the drivers and mounting wipers to pick up from the backs of the flanges of the insulated wheels. That would give a pickup wheel base about twice as long, enough to span dead frogs in all but immensely high-number turnouts.
My own ex-Mantua 2-6-6-2T has never given me any trouble, even on 350mm radius curves. Of course, these days it looks like a Kawasaki-built, even though Kawasaki never built an articulated and Japan never had a 2-6-6-2T. (My layout is located in the Alfred E. Neumann universe. What, me worry?)
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Big LarryI purchased this engine in 2004 and it has never worked and Mantua would never respond.
Were you contacting Mantua or Model Power? Mantua went out of business in 2001.
http://www.railstop.com/History/Mantua/MantuaHistory.asp
Model Power is the owner of this line.
http://www.modelpower.com/
I have a question, does this engine have plastic lead and trailing wheels?
Jim
The engine has metal lead and trailing wheels with plastic axles. When I purchased the engine from a hobby shop in 2004 it came from Model Power/ Mantua. I had other problems with the engine that they helped me with. The stall problem was the last problem needing fixed and when I contacted them again in 2005/06 they claimed it was not their engine and could not help. It has been in the box ever since.
I just reread the paperwork with the engine. It is a Mantua Classics by Model Power.
I would start by trying to get a wheel set capable of picking up power in the lead and trailing trucks, providing the trucks themselves are metal. I did that with a Mantua Mikado and it helped.
This will give you 2 additional pickup points fairly easily. Even if the trucks are unable to pickup power, a wiper for the new wheel set axle would be easy to install.
NWSL sells wheel sets which should work. You need to determine the wheel diameter, axle length, axle diameter and then the axle end type such as blunt, pointed, etc. It looks to me that the front wheel set is larger than the rear?
If you have the tools and ability to measure the wheels, give them a call and they can help out. Or ask them if you can mail the wheel sets to them.
The other way is to install wipers to touch the opposite side drivers. Not a drop in fix but definitely a viable repair.
Powering the frogs would not only help this engine but others as well.