This LGB switcher came in a small collection I bought and it was setup for battery with a trailing car. I am returning it to track power. The wheels are now picking up track power but I want to add the sliders back. There seems to be something missing that keeps the sliders from falling out and transfers the power to the bus bars.
This is a 22630. Any ideas? I can’t seem to find a photo of one with the motor block opened.
I have that engine and I removed the sliders and the brass contract strips and added RailPro and battery power. I can’t remember what holds the sliders in, but it seems like they just fall out when removing the bottom plate, or something like that. Here is the LGB parts diagram, hope it shows you something to look for. https://www.onlytrains.com/manuals/20630-1.pdf
I figured it out. I pulled the motor block assembly from the frame and noticed a little slot above the mount for the pickup shoe. I looked in my parts box and found a slim copper piece that fit in through the slot in the shoe and made contact with the motor pins. Success!
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This thing is like a brick. I bet it pulls well.
At first I was thinking to paint it into the Mass Coastal scheme, then I thought about the other RR that runs on my layout, the Bay Colony and now I’m leaning towards the maroon Boston and Maine.
Sounds like you found it, I’m fixing to take my LGB F7 and remove all the pickups and add RailPro with battery power. One thing with RailPro is the engine will creep along so slow, a big different between battery RailPro and track power. Our club members tracks are 75% battery power as track power is slowly going away, just one less thing to deal with on an outside layout.
Thanks for the link to the schematic John. I found the original manual on Train Li but not the break down drawings. It looks like there was a little piece that slid in the slot from the inside and secured the sliders from falling out while conducing power. I did it from the outside and it works so that is okay by me.
It would be a dream to convert to RailPro but given the amount of engines I have the cost would be crazy. I do have 3 battery engines with Revo control and it is convenient to grab one and run it when the track is less then clean but the battery needs to be charged up. I like the ability to grab anything off the shelf, place it on the track and off it goes, even engines that have sat for months/years can do this if they are track powered.
Being president of the Guiding Hand Authority has privileges; you can activate GHA anytime anywhere.
Todd;
You can always go the route, and make up several of the “Dreaded” Battery Cars…
which could be plugged into any locomotive you choose. This does of course involve disconnecting any track power connections on your locomotives.
Yes you could install a simple DPDT switch on each loco so you could use either Battery or track Power…
Just never again having to worry about cleaning rails, or the whole track power wiring mess…you can even run any number of locomotives on the same track without having a panel of switches in front of you…you could also enjoy getting off your arse and walking along with your train…which is great as long as you don’t drop your coffee mug, wine/martini glass, while tripping over a railroad crossing…!!!
…smile…a bit of humor never hurts anyone…!!
Fweddy
My favorite little LGB switcher. They will run forever with occasional servicing.
The LGB D&RGW #50 switcher has a great reputation for pulling ability and reliability.
I had it on rollers and then put it on the track with my hand holding it back and it felt like it had good pulling power. It does have a split gear that is so far holding so I will not be pushing it.
I have one of them too. Pulls great. I want to upsize the cab to 1:20.3
Well if I had one the first thing I would do is rip off the siderods and counterweights.
Add ditchlites, A/C unit on the cab roof, Nathan K5la horns, probably some yellow strobes and grover in the cab. Then put in on my “operating” track powered railroad and watch it go round and round for 8hrs or more at lighting speed cause it’s LGB and meant to run that way!
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Yes, powered track! Since I learned how easy it is to clean with the proper chemical, all I have to do is blow the leaves off. And I get my son to “do” the leaf blowing!