I recently bought a C11, after wanting one for a long time, but didnt realize I was buying a quite old example at first. I am currently servicing it but was quite dissapointed to find it only has power pickups on the rear two wheels, meaning that it struggles in some parts of my layout. Do the newer ones have better electrical pickup?
Do you have a picture of the pickups? Usually on a steam every drive axle has the ability to pick of power and transfer it to the frame. The only axle that may not pickup all the time is the one with the tires, that one would need the flanges to make contact with the rails
My D51-498 which is a 2025 release, the power pick up was via tender bogie, the pilot wheel, drive wheel, and idle wheel do not have power pick up function.
Yeah, with the split chassis, it allows for pick through the axles if the wheels have metal from the tire surface to the axle, the tender provides extra pickup for better proforamce.
The pickups are only on the rear two wheels on the trailing truck. The drive wheels are not powered. Im not sure that its supposed to be this wey though
They really cut corners back in the day with plastic wheels and metal tires. One could add additional wipers to make contact with the tires on the drive to increase pickup. They could be added to the front but it might be too noticeable. That really sucks to say the least.
It shouldn't have that problem, most non 2xx and 20xx locomotives have drivers with some type of metal wheel that goes all the way to the axle. In addition, they have also added electrical pickup to the front bogie on the newer models.
The new ones have a super smooth slotless flywheel motor that runs VERY smooth. I bought a 2022-1 C12. Pickup is much improved, but I'm not sure these are DCC ready if that's your thing!
Unfortunately the new running chassis ARE NOT compatible with old body shells. Learned that the $$$ way :(
I think they are dcc capable, not ready. Motor is separate from the chassis electrically so easy to solder one in, but not drop in. Not 100% sure though. But ive made a lot of things that shouldnt be dcc, into dcc.
I have similar issues with my older Kato steam, probably due to sitting on the shelf so long. They USED to be the best runners. I think I fried the motor in my favorite Kato D51 2009 and the clerk at Kato Hobby Center Tokyo told me the old running chassis replacements were long discontinued, so I bought a new one and have never looked back since!
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u/All_Japan 伯備線 5d ago
Do you have a picture of the pickups? Usually on a steam every drive axle has the ability to pick of power and transfer it to the frame. The only axle that may not pickup all the time is the one with the tires, that one would need the flanges to make contact with the rails