Plunger pick ups....

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Western Thunderer
I have tried for the first time some of Alan Gibson’s plunger pick ups, these are essentially aimed at the 4mm market but someone a while back recommended that I gave them a go with 7mm loco builds. What I have found is they are less “ chunky “ than the Slaters version, requiring just a 2.5mm hole to fit them, less obtrusive as in they do not stand out from the edge of the wheel rims and a lighter pressure against the rims.

If this is teaching Granny to suck eggs, apologies, but from my observations I would thoroughly recommend them for the larger scales. Below is a couple of self explanatory photos, as I know you guys like photos ;).

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DADDF16B-E7F9-4AD2-8C87-C400E3BCDDB3.jpeg

Martyn.
 

Deano747

Western Thunderer
Hi Martyn

I have heard elsewhere about using 4mm pick ups on 7mm locos with success. Have never tried myself but your experiment is encouraging enough to have a go.

Regards
Deano.
 

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Western Thunderer
Morning Deano,

I will be buying a motor/gearbox for the loco at Bristol next week, so once that’s fitted I will give her a gentle run in, and let you guys know the results.

Martyn.
 

mickoo

Western Thunderer
Looks good to me, I tend to make up a wire pick up affair onto the rim, but there have been engines where these would of been so much easier to fit and use.

The rest of the model looks nice and neat too :thumbs:
 

3 LINK

Western Thunderer
Looks good to me, I tend to make up a wire pick up affair onto the rim, but there have been engines where these would of been so much easier to fit and use.

The rest of the model looks nice and neat too :thumbs:

I must admit on some models I do prefer to fit wiper pick ups, but what with the brake gear and the internal workings of a Castle class I thought I would give them a go, the results are very favourable so far. They look a bit small and fragile but that's probably because they are meant for the 4mm market but after fitting them they are as sturdy as the Slaters version but with a far less pressure being applied to the wheel rims.

Martyn.
 

simond

Western Thunderer
I am much convinced of the benefits of floating pick-ups, as suggested (to me at least) by David LO Smith. Rather than the spring pressing one end on the plunger and the other on the insulator fixed to the frames, the spring is arranged to press on insulators on each pair of opposed plungers. I modified David’s design to simplify the manufacture.

Rather than re-type the story, please have a look here

Second hand Duchess

Atb
Simon
 
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