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Improving Electrical Pick-up on Mantua/Tyco Powered EMD F7's/GP20's and Alco C 430

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Monday, July 10, 2017 11:29 PM

Darth:

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/195040.aspx

Made the link clickable. If you want me to explain how, let me know.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    November 2012
  • From: Kokomo, Indiana
  • 1,463 posts
Posted by emdmike on Monday, July 10, 2017 9:39 PM

Easiest way is to MU up two locos as a team.  I have done this in the past with a pair of Silver Streaks and a pair of Midnight specials.  There is also a place online that can nickle plate the brass wheels.  This also helps with power pickup.  Same for Tyco steamers, replace the tender wheel sets with nickle silver and solder a wire to the truck frame to eliminate any power loss between the truck and the tender floor when it moves around.  Mike

Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • 4,365 posts
Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Monday, July 10, 2017 8:17 PM

It can be done, but it takes some work.  Here's how I did it on the old metal Shark and MU-1, which is basically the same as the MU-2. http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/195040.aspx (still haven't figured out how to make these clickable)

_________________________________________________________________

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 7,500 posts
Posted by 7j43k on Monday, July 10, 2017 12:08 PM

All the ones I had had 4 brass wheels and 4 plastic ones.  And I believe they picked up on all 4 brass wheels.

If my memory is correct, there is no way (other than track sliders) to improve pickup for a single unit.  You could MU a couple--that would help a lot.

 

Ed

  • Member since
    January 2013
  • 176 posts
Improving Electrical Pick-up on Mantua/Tyco Powered EMD F7's/GP20's and Alco C 430
Posted by Run Eight on Monday, July 10, 2017 9:51 AM

Thought I would ask a question on successful electrical pick-up improvements to the Mantua/Tyco Diesel Locomotives produced during the 1960's and mid-1970's, using the Mantua MU-2 Electric Motor.

As some of us know, when these units hit the frog on a Atlas turnout frog, it will always jump, a momentary electrical disconnection.

Like to hear of some readers improvements.

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