What pick-ups for 7mm locos?

[Willy]

It is many years since I built a loco kit but now I am about to start a Judith Edge LMS Hunslet 0-6-0 diesel. This seems to be a simple kit which should give me no real problems except that I am concerned about what to use as pick-ups.

The kit instructions are not much help in this area so I am left to come up with my own solution. I don't like plungers so I was thinking about spring steel wire placed so as to rub on the wheel rim or the back of the wheel.

Has anyone any thoughts on this and what would you recommend for a small loco like this?

Thank you.

Willy

 

[Dikitriki]

Gosh, this is a minefield. Everyone has their favourites - or I suspect really their least unfavourite. What you end up doing will depend on your level of competence, and how much time you wish to devote to it.

FWIW, my optimum solution would be split axle which will require insulated hornguides or insulated hornblocks depending on your approach, and an insulated ABC gearbox.

My second best solution would be to short out the wheels on one side, and use plungers on the other. But, I would use plungers with a large housing and soft spring (Premier), and not the Slater's variety.

Third best would be as for number 2, but with phosphor-bronze wire bearing on the back of the tread or edge of the flange.

Fourth best would be plungers or scrapers both sides, but I personally wouldn't do that.

I'll stand back and wait for the alternative views now.

Good luck

Richard

 

[Willy]

Thank you for the comprehensive reply Richard.

As much as I would like to, I will not select your optimum solution if only because my level of competence falls far short of what would be required and anyway I want to use the simple approach!

I am more in favour of the second solution you mentioned.  I like the concept of plungers but I have never got on with the Slater's variety and as I wasn’t aware of other makes, I had written them off. However if there is another source available I would like to give them a go and the Premier with the soft spring seems ideal. I have used Premier’s excellent three-link and screw couplers and the address on the packet is Premier Components 14 Swanlow Avenue, Swanlow Park, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 1PB so if this who you mean I will give them a ring and see if they will post to France. I have goggled them but I cannot find a website.

Also if I could be so bold and if you have the time, and/or the inclination, will you tell us why you wouldn’t use plungers both sides?

Thanks again.

Willy

 

[Steph Dale]

Willy,

In this instance I'd use split axles too, but I think that a set of top-mounted wipers might be a close second.  Split axles aren't that tricky to make http://euram-online.co.uk/tips/splitaxle/splitaxle.htm and the bearings can be insulated from the frames using copper clad if you're not interested in springing.

A lot of my European HO stuff had top-mounted wipers and I like them for several reasons.  They're reasonably discrete, but you can see what's going on relatively easily.  They're easy to adjust and once in place are largely self-cleaning.  The chassis of this loco may give you an idea of what I mean: http://euram-online.co.uk/railways/euro/obb2067/obb2067.htm.

I hope that helps a little?

Steph

 

[Willy]

Thanks Steph and I do like that idea used on the ÖBB 2067. It looks to be very simple to install and easy to adjust and maintain so I may try that as my first effort.

The kit has the option of building it with a fixed or compensated chassis and that looks as though it would work with compensation which I want to try.

Thanks again,

Willy

 

[28ten]

I'll go against the grain here  and suggest that properly adjusted plungers are fine, and that I have used them on lots of locos without any problems. The only thing to watch for is to much preassure from the springs. I do concede that split axles are better but they do involve more work.

 

[Phill Dyson]

No pick ups gets my vote  , I only do diesels.....so live bogies with insulated wheels on one side works for me 

 

[Willy]

Thank you Cedric but since my last posting I found a review by Bob Alderman on the GOG website and he said that there is no room for plunger pick-ups so I will have to go for the wipers.

This is just a simple 0-6-0 Diesel otherwise live bogies would have been my choice Phil.

Thank you all for your help.

Willy.

 

[Dikitriki]

Also if I could be so bold and if you have the time, and/or the inclination, will you tell us why you wouldn’t use plungers both sides?

Thanks again.

Willy

Hi Willy

Only personal preference. Pick ups are just one more thing to go wrong. Anything I can do to eliminate them is a plus. I would always as a minimum short out one side as there is then nothing to go wrong on that side. If there is no room for plugers (and surely that cannot be the case, even if it means moving spacers around), then I would short out one side so the whole loco (or the chassis at least) is live to that side, and have scrapers on the other side - or maybe a mix of plungers and scrapers according to circumstance.

There are plenty of people who don't like live chassis, and it is up to each builder to find a system they are comfortable with.

Richard

 

[Willy]

Hi Richard,

Thank you for your explanation and I can see what you mean. Nonetheless I think this time I will go for the simplest option for me and that is the wipers on the tops of the wheels both sides. As a result of this appeal I have received a PM with some excellent photos of a loco with this system of pick-up and they will be a great aid. However I will keep your advice in mind and maybe next time I will try it.

Now all I am waiting for is a delivery of phosphor-bronze wire from Eileen’s Emporium and I will be on my way.

Thank you all again for your help.

Willy