Problem with Railking 0-6-0 B6 locomotive

Tony,

It sounds as if the connection (tether) between the engine and tender is not securely connected.

Since the "brains"of the engine are in its tender, along with the engine's speaker and pickup rollers, the tender is getting power and sending signals to the engine, such as move or turn on the front headlight. However, the engine isn't getting them due to a bad connection with the ether.

Can you tell us the MTH model numbers of both engines so we can see if which kind of connection it is between each engine and its tender? Each model number will have the format 30-xxxx-1 and will be printed on the end flap of the engine's box.

We did wonder about the connection, but it does seem to be properly seated. The model number is 30-1572-1 0-6-0 Imperial B-6 Switcher Steam Engine. The suffix on the model number may be different, but that seems to just refer to the livery. I'm away from the layout at the moment, so can't see the box.

If it is the PS3 B6 with wireless Drawbar, make sure it is fully plugged in and/or put a zip-tie around it. If I don't have the zip tie around the wireless drawbar on mine, it will fall out and behave the same you describe. 

Tony,

That engine is shown in the instruction booklet as having pickup rollers on the engine,  rather than on the tender. However, if the wireless drawbar isn't properly snapped into place, you could get the issues that you're seeing.

Make sure that the connectors on both ends of the drawbar are completely snapped into place.

From the manual:

In order to mate the connectors of the drawbar and the tender, place the engine

and the tender on the track. Position the tender over the drawbar connector and

insert the drawbar pin on the swivel connector into the hole in the drawbar.

Now grasp the tender with both hands as shown below and place a finger on each

side of the drawbar near the connector. Now using your fingers, push the

connectors together. The connector will make a slight click when it is properly

seated. At this point you are ready to begin operating your engine.

Yes the pickup rollers are on the engine. "connectors on both ends of the drawbar" is interesting - we've just been checking the connector at the tender end. It is currently 12:40pm here in New Zealand. I'll be seeing my friend again at about 5pm - I'll check it out then.

Since it is responding to basic commands it does sound like the tether is connected.

I have seen the draw bars have a bad solder connection such that the motor leads (Yellow and WHite) don't get power from the tender.  The other thing I have seen is the connector internal restraint notch was damaged, and when the tether is snapped in place it pushed the wire connector out of the internal holder.

Last item on B6 is that the wheels can slip on the axle and become out of sync, and jam easily.  So you need to open the engine up and make sure the motor turns freely.

On the dropped engine it is possible a connector came loose internally.  

Good start to check the connectors on both the engine and tender side.   G

George,

Note that lights are out on the engine, however, not on the tender.

This may or may not be the problem. But on more than several locos with the snap in drawbar there is a wire length issue in the locomotive drawbar. The wires are too tight and when the loco goes around a curve, the wire harness disengages from the socket on the loco because there is not enough flex in the harness. Check the underside of the drawbar connection on the loco to see if it is fully snapped in. Look carefully cause it is easy to miss.

You may want to check basics.  New Zealand common operation voltage appears to be 220 volts.  Frequency may also be an issue.  Some electrical components may work, others not. IMO.  Depends on Model RR. Power supply and adaptors.

Good Point Barry.  That does point to the engine not connected.  G

Lots of interesting replies since I last posted - thanks. I've checked the connectors at both ends and they appear to be properly located. However it sounds like it might be worth another look. Voltage and frequency are not an issue I think as my friend has several  other MTH locos that are running quite satisfactorily.

It is worth repeating that the issue appears to be identical on both locos, one of which has run satisfactorily for a while (until it was dropped), but the other one has never moved at all.

While I have no model railroading experience I do have a background in IT so I am used to logical analysis, and it certainly seems to me that everything points to a connection problem. The odd thing is that the two units are exhibiting absolutely identical symptoms, one older and possibly damaged, but the other straight out of the box and has never run.