Howdy, All;
I would like to replace the orginal brass drivers that came with my Roundhuse (MDC) 2-6-2 Prairie. The kit number on the old box is #443. They measure out at a hair short of 66" if my micrometer and math are correct. Already have NS replacements for the lead and trailing trucks. Does anyone make 66 inchers with nickel-silver rims? Google was not initially helpful.
John
You might try contacting Athearn to see if they can help. Athearn took over MDC and at least a couple of the old Roundhouse steam engines became part of Athearn's "Ready to Roll" line. I think the MDC 2-8-0 used the same size drivers as the 2-6-2??
http://www.athearn.com/Products/HO/#rtr
Greenway Products
tin can Greenway Products
That's the one which I was going to cite, too. The only problem might be the axle diameter, as I believe that they're all 3mm, while the MDC (and most North American-made locos of that era) were all equipped with axles 1/8" in diameter.
Wayne
I put Mantua/ Tyco drivers from their "prarie" locomotive on my MDC 0-6-0.
The Drivers on Mantua Mikados and 2-6-0 (Dixie Belle, etc) Have drivers that are .704 diameter on the blind (flangless) drivers, and .760 over the flanges on the regular ones. You could check the spacing on your MDC prarie to see if the Mantua ones will fit.
You can find a deal now and then on ebay on them in "Mantua parts". Just make sure they look clean and not worn out.
Dan
EDIT - i would go for an MDC donor engine from Ebay.
Simon
Original drivers from the first 10 years aprox. were brass, had a few of those.
My MDC 4-4-2 has brass wheels from head to tail. I hardly need to clean them - the weight alone of the engine and tender ensure good electrical contact. The trailing wheels also serve as power pick-ups, which I assume helps a lot. I did change the motor and add a headlight and some metal pipe work on the boiler. Some day, I will change the tender wheels and install all tender wheel power pick-up. But she runs fine as is.
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HOSeeker identifies three other MDC/Roundhouse locos that have what the parts list for my Prairie list (strangely) as 63 inchers. There are three parts lists for their 10 Wheeler, two lists that show them for the 2-8-0 Consolidation, and a single list for the 2-6-0 Mogul. All of these lists carry the same part numbers as for my originals.
My emailed message to athearnhelp@horizonhobbies was returned as undeliverable. I may try them again, perhaps with a phone call. In the interim, I started googling the various related Roundhouse kit numbers for the other three locos.
I discovered that later issues of these kits came in red, rather than brown boxes. Of the photos of these later kits that could be gleaned from eBay and a couple of other sites, all but one contained the same brass drivers. eBay photos for kit #451, purportedly a Pennsy 2-6-2, reveal NS wheels front to back. Why, it may also have come with a can motor as well! Now if I can just find a set - even better with the upgraded motor - I will be a happy boy. Does anyone out there have the parts list for the updated Pennsy Prairie? I'm wondering if there's better part numbers than I'm seeing on the old lists from HOSeeker.
Anyone out there who has more specific information on Roundhouse NS 63 inchers than appears above is asked to send me a PM. Or with more info on the can motors. Best, of course, is a note that they have them gathering dust!
Obliged as always. What a hobby!
Does anyone plate brass wheels today?
I had that done maybe twenty five year ago. No idea where the locos is now and what I thought of the results.
I will have to look through my Bookmarks.
Edit.
I found the link. It looks like they are still in business.
They might now look the same as the lead and trailing trucks though.
http://www.sierrascalemodels.com/plating.htm
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.