I am trying to referbish one of my old locomotives.
I discovered the axels on the drivers are 2 metal rods connected by a plastic piece. Is anyone familiar with these locomotives that would know if I can punch out the axel and replace it with a solid metal one? It's not clear how the axel is connected, one piece or a press fit.
It is a Bachmann 0-6-0 from the 90s with a pancake motor. Its an inexpensive model, so probably I shouldnt be bothering, but I figured it would be a good learning experience.
One axel does have a gear which will make things a lot more fun, but the other 2 I would like to replace. My experience bwith trains is limited. I just came back to the hobby after a 20 year haitus. However, I have spent enough time working in a machine shop, I am confident I have the general skills required.
Over the years I’ve owned several Bachmann steam locomotives (8) with that same axle arraignment. Most were 4-8-4s and every one with the pancake motor had the wheels fall off. I replaced many of them early on until I started using CA/Super Glue to just reattach them. The CA/Super Glue fix was a permanent fix and much better than replacement wheel sets from Bachmann. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
The chief worry about substituting a one-piece axle is that you will have to gauge the wheels AND quarter them all consistently to a precise degree ( they don't need to be accurate at 90 degrees like the real thing, but they have to be the same) AND you need to do both those things at the same time while any adhesive is setting up. The thing I would advise is to make or buy a quartering jig and do as Mel does: cement the stub axles so they are quartered and gauged at the same time. (And drill the gear to an epoxy or glue fit so it won't be as likely to crack when it gets old?)
The axles on the Bachmann GS4 4-8-4s had square ends to match the square hole in the plastic center axle piece, no quartering needed.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Remember the metal stub axles are power pickup on insulated center axle wheels. The older Bachmann frames are also insulated halves to pickup power from the stub axles.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Thank you for the information.
Lastspikemike If you fit a solid axle you'll also need to provide for electrical insulation of one wheel from the other,
If you fit a solid axle you'll also need to provide for electrical insulation of one wheel from the other,
Thanks for the reminder. I had forgotten that important detail, which does complicate things.
Overmod The chief worry about substituting a one-piece axle is that you will have to gauge the wheels AND quarter them all consistently to a precise degree ( they don't need to be accurate at 90 degrees like the real thing, but they have to be the same) AND you need to do both those things at the same time while any adhesive is setting up. The thing I would advise is to make or buy a quartering jig and do as Mel does:
The chief worry about substituting a one-piece axle is that you will have to gauge the wheels AND quarter them all consistently to a precise degree ( they don't need to be accurate at 90 degrees like the real thing, but they have to be the same) AND you need to do both those things at the same time while any adhesive is setting up. The thing I would advise is to make or buy a quartering jig and do as Mel does:
I'm not to worried about gauging and quartering them. It will take some time to get right, but I can be patient sometimes. I do have a quarter from NWSL, but it won't actually work with wheels of this design.
Overmod (And drill the gear to an epoxy or glue fit so it won't be as likely to crack when it gets old?)
(And drill the gear to an epoxy or glue fit so it won't be as likely to crack when it gets old?)
It is 20+ years old and the cracking is already an issue. One of the axels has a big crack and the gear is starting to crack. The gear is just a hairline crack on one end that I am hoping I can patch. I think I got lucky and caught it early.
RR_Mel Remember the metal stub axles are power pickup on insulated center axle wheels. The older Bachmann frames are also insulated halves to pickup power from the stub axles.
Remember the metal stub axles are power pickup on insulated center axle wheels. The older Bachmann frames are also insulated halves to pickup power from the stub axles.
It does have the split frame, but the wheels are isolated and there are wipers for the contact to the metal on the inside of the wheel.