Connector issue with my new LC Alaska 0-4-0

Mine has pretty poor throttle control as well. If I lower the track power to 15v or so it works pretty well, but running ~18v It's off like a dart the first little movement of the controller. I wonder if anyone has put in a resistor or something inline to slow down these speedy LC engines.

KNEISSL, were you able to get your tether connector tighter than mine shown above? Thanks

Yeah, no problems with my connector. I should note, the throttle is good with the DCpower supply that comes with the kit.. maybe it's an AC power thing.

I have a similar engine and since its so small I used electrical tape to keep the jacks conbected. There was always daylight between them.  The engine and tender are so little and lightweight I have no problem moving them around.

As far as jack rabbit starts, its the nature of THIS series from Lionel.  You might try starting with less power from your transformer when you start out and increases power as you go.  I have many LC+ engines and they will start out as low as 10 volts if I want to ( this keeps the smoke off until voltage is increased ).

I ended up putting a 10ohm resistor in line with the motor. That took the punch out of jack-rabbit starts, and now i can creep along nicely.

Kneissl posted:

I ended up putting a 10ohm resistor in line with the motor. That took the punch out of jack-rabbit starts, and now i can creep along nicely.

10 ohm  ??

Yeah 10 Ohm, something like this..
https://www.mouser.com/Product...nEAQYBSABEgJgIPD_BwE

My connector was super stiff to make-up as well and I think there is a small gap like yours. However, it is not affecting continuity in any way. The connection is so stiff I accidently forgot to link the draw bar one time and the tether carried the tender and a 10 car consist on its own without me even noticing! Lower your track voltage (or run a big consist) if you don't like the low speed control, as I agree it is pretty jumpy.