Come in from the weather and slip your tether

[Anonymous]

If your RailKing tender's tether has your mind in a bind, as it coils up and around like a melanistic python, ready to squeeze the life out of first the engineer, then the fireman, in the cab, have no fear, help may be here.

Open up the tender and you will find that the tether has a cable tie around it, which limits the length of tether that protrudes out the opening for it. Open the cable tie enough to slide the tether back so that less of it extends out, but keep enough length to allow it to still coil up some, and for you to have enough room for your hand, to connect and disconnect the tether from the engine. Keep in mind that different locomotives have varying drawbar lengths, so adjust the tether accordingly, and watch for how the shortened tether behaves around your layout's tightest curves, both in foward and reverse directions. 

I was able to reduce the GS-4's tether length from 51/4" to 31/2", since the tender and loco are coupled quite close, which looks a whole lot better, and I'm pretty sure the cab's crew appreciate it, too.

 

[Anonymous]

 I will keep that in mind next time my python needs shortening

[lionelsoni]

I went the other way, Donna.  The conductors inside the tether for my Rail King Big Boy eventually broke from the flexing.  I had already lengthened it as much as possible by moving the tie wrap all the way to the end of the sheath, since I run on O27 track.  When I called MTH to order a replacement, I was told that there were two standard replacement lengths, the shorter of which was meant for my locomotive.  However, I ordered the longer to minimize the flexing; and so far it hasn't failed.

I am presently rewiring my 681, which will need a four-wire tether with the changes I'm making.  I'm trying a new approach with the tether, running it along the drawbars as much as possible.  So far, I am stuck at the locomotive end, since I can't find a reasonable route for the wires from the drawbar level up through the main casting.

[Anonymous]

Bob,

       What kind of changes are you making to your 681? 

[lionelsoni]

Pickup bus between locomotive and tender. 

Operation of locomotive and whistle from half-wave AC, with selectable polarity.

Directional headlight and back-up lights.

Tail lights.

Uncoupling anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Bob, apparently, lengthening your Big Boy's tether to its maximum possible length didn't prevent it from failing. My GS-4's first tether also failed, when it was at the factory-set length, and my layout's curves are all 036. So now (for appearances sake) this second tether is as short as is reasonable to both negotiate the layout and still be able to maintain a solid electrical connection with the receptical.

I have read online that MTH has a straight through PS-2 tether available, part # BC-2100070. A check on MTH's website, using this part number, came up negative. If you have the time, it might be worth calling them to confirm its existence.