Life Like c424

[Tommyboy]

I believe this topic has been covered, but I can not get my LL C424 to run. Motor works, so it is a pick up issue. I have cleaned the pick up strips, adjusted the motor in the frame. Any suggestions appreciated, or a reference to a previous post . Thanks !

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Since this follows the Atlas motor model make sure the tabs on the motor are adequately contacting the frame halves. Those tabs are ALWAYS my go to for troubleshooting. 8 out of 10 times they're the problem.

Otherwise... are you getting lights when you apply power?

If not, then you're likely not getting power to the frame. Check the obvious things like dirty wheels or the metal tabs along the side not properly engaging the tabs on the trucks (or not being there at all).

Just typing this makes me wish these had a better story with the Atlas acquisition. I'd love to see a modern run of them (maybe with a retooled hood that's good for more than the first phase of the C424s).

[Tommyboy]

Thanks for the info.  Didn’t think to ck the lights.  I have adjusted those tabs until I thought they would snap off.  I will go back in and try everything again.  I too would love to see a new issue. Scott Lupia painted mine in M and E # 24, when I lived in NJ and a bunch of us hung out at Kenvil Hobbies, over 10 years ago. Cool looking engine and I want to get it running.

[JMaurer1]

What Ed said, but I wanted to add a thing or two. So you know the motor works, next check by putting power to the frame halves. Lights should light up and motor should run. Next go to the brass strips that gets power from the trucks, then the trucks and find where the power is and isn't. The other option is to just solder wires to the truck pick ups (very carefully and best done with the trucks disassembled) and go straight to the motor (or decoder if you are going DCC). That should eliminate just about any electrical problems. Good luck.

[Tsail]

Thanks everyone for the tips !  I was able to get one running this morning by fiddling with those brass pick up strips. Will get after the other one. That direct wire would be a last resort for these old fingers and eyes.

Thanks again gang !! 

[Tsail]

ED, Scott Lupia painted # 18 in the M and E scheme, not # 24.   Scott does such fine work. It is great to see him doing well with his detail business.

[peteski]

Thanks everyone for the tips !  I was able to get one running this morning by fiddling with those brass pick up strips. Will get after the other one. That direct wire would be a last resort for these old fingers and eyes.

Thanks again gang !!

If adjusted and tensioned properly, that (Kato type) method of electrical pickup is quite reliable. You shouldn't have to hardwired the trucks.

I go the extra step and polish the contact areas: the little nipples on the truck sideframe pickup plates, and the contact areas on the flat springy strips snap in the chassis.  To me that extra step is worth it for good electrical contact.



On those nipples I use the multi-grit fingernail buffing stick first.



Then on both, the nipples and strips I use a buffing wheel in a Dremel and this polishing compound.  I can get the surfaces to be almost mirror smooth for excellent electrical contact.

[Tommyboy]

Thanks again for the tips. I have the buffing wheel, and some Fine compound and will give that a try.