I have five 3rdrail steam engines. The older ones I’d say pre 2013 give or take a few years can be problematic but can be made to run better than anything else offered if you know what to look for and like modifying and upgrading engines. There belt drive is the smoothest thing out there.
issues to look for in 3rdrail steamers
1. power pickup, two pickup rollers is not enough, ad one to the tender trucks
2. outside rail electrical connections. Also a issue. Make sure the front and rear trucks have good electrical connection from the wheels to the frame. Remove paint under and mounting screws and around wheel axles. Also use a good conductive oil.
3, for those who have TAS EOB engines with eight pin tethers. A bad set up, as if the tach reader looses ground with the mother board the reader will let the magic smoke out and may take the EOB mother board out with it. Ad a second tether to ground the tach reader to the EOB mother board.
3. Brass parts can be broken off easily but being brass can be soldered back on and repainted.
checkout my YouTube channel for my 3rdrail engines in action.
