Hi all, after last Christmas I was able to get a Märklin Z-scale Chrsitmas train, including a Tenwheeler. Because I am modeling the after-WWII-era, I want this loco a bit modernized. Points of work will be pilot truck, cylinders, cab and tender. The latter is to be replaced, the new one should have power pick up: Loco with the new tender from Märklin-2-8-2, test arrangement: I added AZL-truck with power pick ups to the new tender: So far now, Steffen
I prefer to tension the center of the axle. Placing it on one side forces that side down, sometimes leaning the truck/car. Also, not too much tension, so the wheels don't drag. Use capacitors to store the energy.
Perhaps you can put those pick-ups on both sides of the screw(?) Gee, changing out that tender made a huge difference... Mark in Oregon
Ok, I will check this. Actually I wanted to use these wipers, offered by SBS4DCC, but sadly there are no items in stock: Perhaps I can bend my wipers for touching wheels inside, but probably this would increase rolling resistance a bit.
Hi all, bending my wipers for touching the wheels did not work. So I use the axles. I have checked the tender, I can see no leaning: Connection loco - tender by VERY thin wires for flexibility: Now I am working on cylinders for something of "slide-valve-style". Before: After: Regards, Steffen
Thank you very much. Does anybody know a good tool to make a smooth surface on such a very small part? I tried to use a fibreglass pencil to remove scratches from filing down the cylinder, but the result is not perfect, especially in corners. Any idea is welcome...
I always glue very fine grain sand paper to small pieces of wood or styrene. This makes very cheap but usefull sanding tools.
Today I made a first testrun. Now the pilot truck is a bit "heavier" because its appearence was too light after removing the two inner drain cocks. Here is a short film:
I was not happy with power pick up on tender trucks. So I changed the design. Now I use small springs and little tubes of brass on which are soldered the old wipers. It is only 1 axle practically, but makes power pick up very safe now.
That's a interesting solution for power pickup. Dose it create any noticeable drag on the wheels turning?
Steffen, do I understand correctly you removed the wheels from the axle to install the tube and spring? If so, how did you manage that? Matt
Hi Matt, you are right. I removed the isolated wheel, installed spring and tube and reassembled the wheel. Controlled the right distance between wheels, then soldered the wiper. A plastic insert in the isolated wheel prevents the tube for touching this wheel.