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A MTH Great Northern EF-2 set of Electrics with Pantographs

I have had this A and B unit for at least 12 years, brand new hidden away.  Today, I oiled her up put a BCR in, and she made her debut on a test track.

The problem I have is with the pantographs there are two switches on the underside of the master A unit, the booklet is not very clear about the positions of the switches that are unmarked or which one is which.  Also there is several notices to unlatch the pantographs or you will ruin them ? However no clear instructions how. With ease I can lift the rear but the forward won't move; I'm afraid to force it, it just won't come up. They seem fairly fragile and easy to bend.

I'm hoping there is someone familiar with these locomotives.

Thanks in advance, Kevin

Original Post

Hi Kevin, I have the Milwaukee Road EF-3 PS2 version. I also was having trouble figuring out where the releases were for pantographs. I ended up pulling one right off the top of the engine. Aside from a little fiddling I was able to get it back in place. There are wire sliders in the top inside of the cab which raise and lower the pantograph. I am able to get one of them to raise, but the other will not budge - not even a motor sound. The one in the lead (that will raise) tends to get stuck in the down position as it cycles through start-up. (Too bad its not the rear one which is up when running.)  A light touch releases it. I have not found any catch which locks them in place. I bought this used but it had not been out of the box as far as I can tell - no operating hours show on the DCS app. 

In an older thread there is a discussion on repairing the mechanism. I have not gotten around to disassembling the rear unit as yet to check the mechanism. Like you I installed a BCR and it runs great. 

If you do find a solution I would like to hear about it.

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