Smoking Connie Tender!

[coyote97]

i changed my locos (i have 2 connies) completely 1.) to RC, 2.) every inch of wire of those bad and small, cracking and melting china-wires to quality products with a bit more "performance".
So, i have NO problems.
But remembering the original wiring, i CAN believe EVERY story of black smoking connie-tenders.....

Greetings

Frank

 

[James Day]

Apologies but no, particularly as I am not sure what a connie is! Perhaps you could enlighten those of us that have missed out on knowing this?
I also wonder what gubbins was in the tender, and what it was supposed to do? (Especially as it seems unnecessary to the good running of the beast!).

I have had a meltdown on an LGB Roller bearing pick up sent once, which was both heart breaking and expensive! A caboose with pick ups was parked up without being properly clear of an isolated gap. I forget why it shorted out now, but there was smoke, hot plastic and a really worrying melting/burning smell!

Lucky, all smoke under the bridge, but one learns from such things!

James

 

[maxi-model]

Same thing happened to my Connie 5 years ago. Full rewire in the tender with new connectors (from Maplins) and also a rewire up to the small PCB in the ashpan. Check there if you haven't already as this will have probably fried too and may give cause for a repeat experience if not done or eliminated as you have done in the tender. Mine has run fine ever since. Tender wiring/plugs to/from loco provides extra electrical pick-up, speaker connection and wire-in for the reversing light.
Max.

 

[playmofire]

I've found reference on the internet to a Bachmann Connie, but not an LGB one.

 

[Rhinochugger]

It shouldn't squeak, unless your referring to the soundcard.

Mine's OK, the rear bogies had a sideframe pivot issue at one stage, but Mr Bachmann sent me some new bits

 

[Rhinochugger]

The early ones had a couple of known problems, mainly around loose screws on the con rods and the gearbox. The later issue being the side frames on the tender bogies.

When I bought mine, I undid every screw that I could find on the motion and the gearbox and replaced it with Loctite. I've never had a problem, and the loco, with its sprung drivers, is one of the smoothest ever.

As I said, I did have the tender bogie problem, and when I put them back together, I did a mod that gave me equalised bogies - whether it makes any difference, who knows?

My Connie has done some miles now, but she's still a goer