Walthers HO Scale Heritage Proto 2000 

0-8-0 Pickup Upgrades

The Walthers HO Scale Heritage P2K 0-8-0

I am aware of at least two versions of the tender on this model being delivered over three production runs.

The first two runs did not have any contacts installed on the tender trucks.  Curiously, the models I used for this How To had all of the provisions in place to install them!  They simply lacked the parts.

The third run had axle wiper type pickups and was an improvement over the earlier models but this design is not very effective as there is limited sureface area at the point of contact and very little pressure applied to the joint.

SBS4DCC.com offers products to improve the performance of either version.

Recommended Tools and Supplies

Version 1 Upgrades

Step 1 -

Remove the HO-F4W-ATH wheel wipers from the nest using the Xuron Pro Sprue Cutters or similar tool.  Be sure to remove any large burs left from the web that holds the part in the nest.

Then, using a of pliers or similar tool, form the wheel wipers as shown. 

Here is a demonstration of how to form the contacts... just in case.

NOTE: The wiper on the left shows the typical configuration of the wire solder lugs for use with most applications.  The wiper on the right shows how we are going to use them for this project.  We are going to bend the lug that is perpendicular to the wiper wings up instead of leaving it flat. By dumb luck, this matches up perfectly with the provisions for contacts that were designed into the tender.

Step 2 -

Cut (4) pieces of 32ga High-Flex Wire about 4 inches long.  Strip about 1/8 inch of insulation off the end and tin the wire.  Then, apply a small amount of tinning flux to the inside face of the contacts and solder the wire in place.

Step 3 -

Gently pry up on the head of the retaining pin for the truck chains to take one side loose.  Next, remove the king-pin secrew that holds the truck in place.  Then remove the screws that hold the shell onto the tender floor.

Step 4 -

Install (1) HO-F4W Insulating Washer over the boss on the tender floor bolster.

Step 5 -

Feed the wire through the existing slot in the tender floor and install (1) HO-F4W-ATH wheel wiper on top of the washer.

Step 6 -

Install (1) HO-F4W Insulating Washer over the first HO-F4W-ATH wheel wiper.

Step 7 -

Feed the wire through the opposite slot in the tender floor and install (1) HO-F4W-ATH wheel wiper and (1) HO-F4W Insulating Washer over the washer-wiper stack. 

The resulting stack should be washer-wiper-washer-wiper-washer. 

If you find it difficult to keep the stack piled up, you can use a VERY small drop of glue to keep the pile in place while you are trying to get it all assembled.

NOTE:  It really doesn't matter how each wiper is oriented in the stack or what color of wire you use.  Just try to be consistent  so that it looks nice when you are done.

Step 8 -

Re-assemble the trucks and retaining chains to the tender floor.  Be sure to get the washer-wiper stack cetered on the truck bolster before tightening the screw down.  Sorry... no easy tricks for this.  You just have to work with it.

NOTE:  There might be just a bit of resistance on the truck when finished but it should not impede the axial motion of the truck and the washer-wiper stack should not change the height of the floor to the rail head.

Step 9 -

Remove the crummy little black wire clips from the track-power lugs on the existing circuit board and throw them away. 

(Just my suggestion... use them if you like.)

NOTE: Be sure to verify which lug is which by testing for continuity between the tender wheels and loco drivers using a Multi-Meter.

Step 10 -

Solder the wires in place and test run the loco. 

If everything is happy, reassemble the shell and watch your little switcher crawl around the layout like never before!

Version 2 Upgrades

You can purchase most of the products used in this project today from my online store

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