This phosphor bronze pick-up is designed for power pick up from the track for lighting, in a wide variety of carriages. These can also be configured for use as extra pick-ups in short wheel based locomotives.

When complete, the non-contact portions could be painted black so they would be less visable. A preferable solution is to coat them with a chemical blacking solution, while making sure it will conduct electricity. Probably the better coating is that sold under the name Neolube. This product blackens metal, conducts electricity and is a lubricant as well. This pick-up was specifically designed to be used with the TrainAidsA S Series Lighting Strips (see them under the LEDs section), but is a very useful multiple use item.

Animated image on the right shows how the PPS, PPJ & the PPA versions can be extracted from the complete Combination/Universal Power Pickup - PP1.

A unique feature of this pick up is that it can be used for plastic wheeled stock without the added expense of changing to metal wheels. The shoe fittings of the pick up are screwed to the bogie such that they can pick up power directly from the track. If the shoes are darkened as set out above they are barely noticeable. A similar fitting procedure can be used on short wheel based locos.
 
Please browse through all steps first to become conversant with the work required. Click pictures for larger views.

  1. Tools and Caboose ready for fitting. In the front of the picture can be seen two shoes cut from two complete PP1 units.
 
  2. The shoe is bent up (away from the rails) at each end, and on the outside, so that it rides smoothly over points/switches/turnouts and tack joins.

  4. Place the pick up on the bogie bolster and drill through one of the two holes into the plastic or metal. The screw in one of the self tapping screws.
 
Next step is to drill a second hole and screw tight. Adjust the pick up so that it slides on the track, making contact, but not so much that it lifts the wheels. Do the same at the other end but for the opposite side. Two pickups will then connect to both, the positive power feed on one rail and the negative power feed on the other.

  5. The pickups fitted to the bogies.

  6. Drill a convenient 2mm hole ideally through or near the bogie pivot for the wire to pass through. Make sure the hole and wire do not interfere with the swing of the bogie.

  7. Solder the feed wires to each pick up and thread them through the holes drilled. Make sure the hole and wire do not interfere with the swing of the bogie. In this case we are using a TrainAidsA wire and socket that matches the LED lighting unit.

  8. Plug in the lighting unit and place on track to test. Check the pick ups for maximum contact and minimum friction.

Märklin coaches are generally easier for lighting installation. This series of pictures shows installation of pickups in a modern coach.
 
Other Marklin coaches have a similar fitting system but dimensions vary so measure the slots and wheel base before trimming the pick up to size.
 
PPA for Märklin coaches can be ordered separately or cut out from PP1 as shown.
 
Please browse through all steps first to become conversant with the work required. Click pictures for larger views.

  1. The pick-up PP1, is shown on the left hand side of the two. As modified for Märklin is on the right. Alternately, one can use PPA which is already designed for Märklin. . . . The center portion has been snipped out, the side arms bent to match the slots in the Märklin bogie and the ends of the wipers trimmed and bent upwards to match the wheel base of the coach. . . . This varies from coach to coach so measure each model individually. The bogie is first removed from the coach and wheels snapped out of their axle sockets.

  2. Close up of the formed pickup with a wire soldered to the underside i.e. the side that will face the track.
 
You may form a smaller hole if desired.

  3. The pick up is fitted into the bogie and wire pushed through the existing hole.

  4. On the top of the bogie, the tabs that came through the slots, from the bottom (wheel side), are trimmed and folded inwards towards the pivot. The wheels are put back and the wipers checked for contact on the axle. It is important that they make contact with the axles but not so strongly that they act as a brake. Adjust with pliers or fingers till good and only light contact is made.

  5. The bogie is snapped back into the coach chassis.

If the positive is also being fed from a passenger car, then either the pickup slider for the center can be pushed into the same car, preferably at the other end. Or the current can be carried using current conducting couplers (not shown here) and fed to the light strip.