Stay alives? Still struggling!

[ajcooper4]

With 17000uF capacitor fitted to my tender loco all runs well - I've posted about this before. The track is really clean; the track is level; there are plenty of soldered dropper wires and no dry joints; the track joiners are tight and effective - have checked with DMM; wheels have been cleaned with IPA like the track. My 14xx has no super cap fitted and occasionally stalls and youchoos still advise no room to fit one.

I am still struggling to get this. Everything about the track says I shouldn't need a stay alive - and I know lots of you are not fans of them anyway. The stay alives make the loco run super smooth. No stay alive, despite what I've said about the track, and I get some erratic running. Without a stay alive in the 14xx I could permanently couple the autocoach with a pick up but I am not sure how to do this.

Two questions please.

1. As far as the stay alive/clean track issue what am I missing please?
2. Can anyone offer me clear advice on fitting a pick up to a permanently fcoupled auto coach with a Hatton's (Dave Jones) 14xx please?

Thank you.

[Walkingthedog]

I really don’t understand this. I have the same loco using DC and it runs like a dream. To add the coach you need some pickups on the coach wheels and some wire from there to the loco. I have some pickups I would be willing to send you, no charge.

[ajcooper4]

WTD that's really kind, thank you. Should I message you my address?

Have you done a job like this? I am a little uncertain about connecting the wires from the autocoach into the loco.

[Walkingthedog]

I’ll PM you.