A while back I went through a phase where I was buying old locos that were cheap just to practice installing DCC decoders. One of the first I got was a vintage Atlas UP FM C (Atlas #2122) made by Rivarossi. I have no idea how old it is. When I got it, the loco sputtered and coughed. I took it apart, cleaned the motor, and replaced the brushes with filed-down Kato ones and the motor spun like a top. I put in the decoder and it was great.. except... The loco will suddenly just stop. The smallest tap on the shell gets it running again. I believe the problem is that the electrical pickups aren't the wheels, but wipers that run along the tops of the rails. In this photo you see the wipers mounted on the rear truck: The wipers are spring loaded; the spring is weak in one wiper and dead in the other. I can't figure out how to get the wipers apart to replace the springs without breaking them. Here is a wiper removed from the truck: If anyone knows a) where I can get replacement wipers or b) where I can get springs and how to replace them please let me know. Thanks in advance for any help! Lownen
How many do you need? I found two in the junk loco box. Don't know if they are any better than yours but you are welcome to them. Ben
