3469 Dump Car Wire Question

[EIS2]

I have a 3469 dump car.  The wire to the shoes breaks frequently after a short period of running.  I noticed that the wire is the wrong type, i.e. solid rather than stranded wire.  Did Lionel use a special wire on pivoting trucks or is it a standard stranded wire?  If so, what gauge wire is it and is it available locally (Lowes, Radio Shack etc.)?  Thank You...

Earl

[sir james I]

I don't know about Lowes or HD but any fine flexable wire will do the job. I buy it at a local hobby shop. If you get CTT a guy that goes by the name Charlies Trains carries wire and lite bulbs.

[dwiemer]

It is somewhat special in that it is called "superflex" wire.  I believe it is 22 gauge.  This is the same wire they use on a number of cars.  They use it on powered pickups for whistle tenders, lights in cabooses, passenger cars, etc.  You may want to order about 10 feet of it from one of the suppliers.  Many other types of wires will do exactly what you are seeing with the dump car.  Also, if it is too stiff, and used on trucks, it could limit ability to turn and cause derailments.

dennis

[bfskinner]

"Superflex" wire comes in several gauges. It is stranded with a very high count of individual strands that can slide relative to one another inside a soft rubber (or rubber-like) sheath. The combination permits considerable flexibility that holds up through a great many cycles.

I generally use 20 gauge when I can; the thinner 22 gauge if necessary. One doesn't want to "tin" the wire with more than a very short dollop of solder, because doing so simply takes all the individual strands and "glues" them into a solid wire, which defeats the purpose.

The individual strands are so thin that one must be careful not to leave a strand or two sticking out to cause a short circuit against a grounded member of the car.

I love the stuff, but only use it where reliable flexing is necessary. Rather like postwar Lionel, I use thin solid wire point-to-point inside locomotives, for example, where flexing is not needed and ease of handling is helpful.

You still have to use sufficient wire lengths so that the Superflex is not stressed as trucks pivot, etc. Sometimes it is advantageous to use some sort of loose-fitting mid-run support.