I’ve been a forum member for about 4 years now. I’ve asked many questions and received many very helpful, useful answers. I have always been very appreciative for all your help. So now I would like to make a contribution, trivial as it may be. 3 years ago I purchased a BLI Hudson which ran well at first. But after about 6 months it started running iratically, and has done that ever since. I cleaned all tender wheels, loco drivers, track, tender wipers, everything I could think of. Even bent the wipers closer to the axles. All the while, when it stalled, a very light touch of the tender brought it to life. So I thought maybe the harness was not inserted fully and fiddled with that several times. No change. So I kept thinking of the light pressure on the tender, and then the “light dawns on Marblehead”. I took the tender body off and added about 1 1/2 - 2 ounces of weight, and voila, it now runs consistently. So if anyone out there has a similar issue, try adding weight (I used those 1/4 ounce weights) to the tender. I hope this might help at least one member with a similar issue.
Tophias
Thanks for sharing your experience. It is sometimes these seemingly simple solutions that at first may not be obvious but can alleviate headaches.
Joe
Thanks Tophias!
I have quite a few BLI steam locomotives in my roster and I will certainly look into added tender weight. In fact I recently lifted my B&O P-7 Pacific off the layout to do a traction tire replacement and the thought crossed my mind that the tender sure did feel light. I didn't make any changes to it though. I'll re-think that.
A couple of my PRR H10s have shown what you describe that they will freeze, then a light tap will get them moving again.
I believe a tiny drop of CRC 2-26 or, better yet, D series Deoxit really helps with electrical contact at pins, wipers and sockets, too.
Thanks for your contribution,
Regards, Ed
I had the "too light tender" problem on a Spectrum 4-8-2. I had to remove the large floor weight to create a space for a 1" speaker when adding a sound decoder. Without the weight, the engine kept losing track connection. Similar to your story, adding the 1/4" sq. lead weights wherever I could squeeze them in solved the issue.
I have watched the Bachmann forums for some years and adding weight to the tender is a common solution.
Some years ago I coupled a Bachmann short USRA tender to a Mantua 0-6-0 and put wipers on all the wheels and had to add weight also.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.