What's the single black wire for?

[jonathan]

Just brought home my latest baby, the royal blue B&O 4-4-0.  My curiosity is peaked because I am electrically challenged.  There is a single black wire that runs from the tender and attached by screw to the back of the locomotive.  I understand the tender wheel pickups appears to pick up from both the north and south rail.  If I understand the cryptic diagram page, the leading trucks provide current to the headlight. 

Could one of the driver wheels be providing current to the motor as well?  I have a 25-year-old (estimate) 4-4-0 with no additional black wire.  The old one is much lighter and has no traction tires on the rear drivers.  It use to run well.  It sits in a display case with all my inherited stuff.

Anyway... can any one tell me what the single black wire does?

Regards,

Jonathan

[BaltoOhioRRfan]

i believe on the Bachmann OT 4-4-0's its all wheel pickup and the black wire takes the electricity to the motor in the tender

if you have a rivarossi, ihc or AHM 4-4-0, if you look the drawbar is made out of metal and might have a small metal wire on it, and the electrictiy is passed through that instead of a wire(though i put a wire between the two on mine to help improve electrical pickup)

[jonathan]

OK, thanks very much.  Just seemed strange that there was only one wire vice two.

Just ran it for the first time.  Runs like a scalded dog, so I can't complain about the current pickup.  It sure is noisy, though.  Perhaps if I add a little heavy lube to main gear, that will help.  Seems strong enough to pull as many OT passenger cars as I can find... got a Mantua B&O pass. on order to start.  Will post a pic soon.  Thanks again, BaltoOhioRRfan.

[the Bach-man]

Dear Jon,
The tender picks up from one rail, the loco from the other.
Have fun!
the Bach-man

[jonathan]

Aha.  I get it now.  Thanks to you, too, Mr. B.

R,

Jonathan

[BaltoOhioRRfan]

I have 3 passenger sets for my OT Royal blue to pull, the 2 Mantua cars, and the Roundhouse Overlands and OVertons, probably stick the to the overlands though as i have as et of overlands for the jupiter and my southern 4-4-0 richmond.

[jonathan]

Did you put metal wheels in your Mantuas?  If so, what brand?  I tried Kadees and the points are a touch to long (drags).  I either have to get a truck tuner or find wheels with smaller points.

R,

Jonathan

[Woody Elmore]

Jonathan - there are many varieties of Kadee Couplers. You may need to use an offset shank. 

[jonathan]

 Sorry if I wasn't clear, I was referring to kadee wheelsets, not couplers.

Thanks, just the same.  R,  J

[OkieRick]

Jonathan asked:

Did you put metal wheels in your Mantuas?  If so, what brand?  I tried Kadees and the points are a touch to long (drags).  I either have to get a truck tuner or find wheels with smaller points.

and...

Sorry if I wasn't clear, I was referring to kadee wheelsets, not couplers.


No need to be sorry Jonathan, you stated your question well.  I have 3 passenger cars and and observation car that are old Tyco items.  I put metal wheelsets on them because they were dragging my re-railer.  No joy. I call my train guy Victor and he came up with some taller wheels.  He chuckled a couple times and said, "So much for prototypical, huh?"  I told him I wouldn't tell he sold 'em to if he didn't point them out.

I wish I could remember what brand they were - they were darkened and innexpensive.  I'll look for them on Walthers later.

Luck-
Rick

[jonathan]

My problem is I can't get the wheels free-rolling.  I will have to put the plastic wheelsets back in, until I can get a truck tuner (reboxx or micromark).  I would prefer to put the right size metal wheels in there.  Unfortunately my LHS only carries Kadee wheels.  They're great for old Roundhouse kits and a few other things.  The Kadees just don't fit right in the Mantua products.  Right now, Mantua is the only company making OT B&O cars. 

There's a Train show coming to DC next month.  I'll try to find what I need there.  What's life for, if you can't spend a few bucks at a Train Show?

Regards,

Jonathan




PS,  The coal load is not so hot.  Will have to work on that, too.  Cool engine though.

[Stephen D. Richards]

Have you tried InterMountain wheelsets?  Stephen

[jonathan]

I have intermountain wheels in my ore cars. They're great.  Perhaps their axle length is just a few microns shorter than the kadees, and that's why they roll so well.    Just can't get the Internmountains here without shipping fees.  That would probably cost more than the bag o' wheels.  We'll see what the train show bringeth.  No matter what, I'm sure my wallet will be lighter.  Needed to lose some weight anyway.

Thanks,

Jonathan

[Len]

Except for a few oddball cars, all I use on my 'fleet' is Intermountain wheels. They're a bit cheaper in the bulk box of 100 wheelsets.

For the oddballs, you can can wheelsets with almost any axle length or end type from Reboxx http://www.reboxx.com/. They also have the 'truck tuning tool'.

A decent dial caliper or 1in micrometer is handy for checking the length of your axles. You should be able to get either at Sears or a decent auto parts store.

Len

[BaltoOhioRRfan]

Did you put metal wheels in your Mantuas?  If so, what brand?  I tried Kadees and the points are a touch to long (drags).  I either have to get a truck tuner or find wheels with smaller points.

R,

Jonathan

No, i left em alone. they seem to roll just fine as they are.