pidge456 Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 Hi everyone, i'm not very smart on the mechanics of DCC trains so can someone tell me how the pickups should look on a loco, what should they be touching and where? I have just brought a basically new Fowler 4-4-0 TTS from ebay and am having real trouble with running. It seems to stop start all round the track as though it is not picking up power at various points, maybe not the pickups but they seem to be sticking out into thin air. Any advice would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissaf Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 The detail of pickups varies from loco to loco, but if of the typical wheel pickup variety. Then the copper looking strips should be touching the back of the wheels. And stay in contact with the back of the wheel as the wheel and axles move from side to side..A close up photo of the pickup sticking out into thin air would help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rog RJ Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 Not confusing sand pipes for pickups are you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pidge456 Posted November 10, 2016 Author Share Posted November 10, 2016 I will try and get some photos but likewise does anybody have any photos or diagrams that I can refer to to make sure i'm looking at the right things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howbi Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 Hi Pidge.........the pickups on the loco wheels are parallel to the sub frame so cannot stick out......you are probably looking at the 4 sand pipes which are pointing at the flanges.........but note that the the tender's 6 wheels each have a pickup which should guarantee smooth contact anyway............HB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted November 11, 2016 Share Posted November 11, 2016 Download any service sheet to see typical pickups but get the exact service sheet for your R-number and you should be able to work out what is what. Essentialy little metal fingers rub on the back of certain wheels. The more wheels that have them the better The pickup of current should be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pidge456 Posted November 11, 2016 Author Share Posted November 11, 2016 Hi guys, thanks for your comments. Yes i'm an idiot looking at sandpipes instead of pickups. Even at my age i'm learning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pidge456 Posted November 16, 2016 Author Share Posted November 16, 2016 Turns out the reason for poor running loco was a dirty track - silly me!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted November 16, 2016 Share Posted November 16, 2016 This is whats its all about pidge, learning as we go along and if others can help out then it saves you reinventing the wheel as it were.Good to knowmyou have sorted it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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