Lil Guy Update: Next Stop.......Beauty Shop

[SpaceMouse]

Well, Lil Guy is back on the track. The problem with the truck turned out to be a design flaw, either by the manufacturer or the guy that gerry-rigged it. Holding the truck on were a screw and a spacer that attatched to a fixed post. The space allotted the screws threads to catch is about 3/32, then there is a piece of metal blocking the threads. I thought that something was being held from the other side, but I couldn see anything that made sense. Plus the screw is self tapping.

So putting it all together. The original screw broke off in the post, the guy found a too long self tapping screw and used a spacer to make up the difference.

The problem I had was the screw wouldn't catch. Like most self tapping screws the shank is narrower in the front and there is about 3/32" before the threads start. As you can see, there wasn't much holding the truck on and it was bound to come off. I took about 1/32 off with Mr Dremel and got the truck to hold.

It is an accident waiting to happen. But in 3 hours the battery will recharge on Mr Dremel and I can take another 1/16" off.

My spray can of Tuscan Red arrives Monday, and Lil Guy will be off to the Beauty Shop for a makeover.

[tstage]

Will Lil' Guy bounce back?...

Will the doctors be successful in reattaching his mamed limb?...

Will the make over successfully hide the scars of his most recent and terrifying accident?...

Will Lil' Guy...[sniff]...be able to once again...live a useful and productive life as a humble HO yard switcher in HOgwartsville?...

For the answer to these and other rivoting questions...STAY TUNE next week for the gripping conclusion of...

"AS THE LAYOUT TUR-R-R-R--R-RNS"
"AS THE WHEEL TUR-R-R-R--R-RNS"

[Don Gibson]

There is something to be said for those taking in the unwanted, the unloved ,'strays'.
I don't know what it is, but I'm sure there is something.

Can 'Li'll Guy' be nursed back to health?
Has Li'll Guy' still got screw loose? - or
Is it his owner?

Stay tuned to. 'As The Wheel Turns'

[Jetrock]

I suppose I can understand--as the proud owner of a stable of the much-maligned and unloved Bachmann 44 and 70 tonners, the obnoxious chihuahua of the HO diesel world (second only to the "Hustler" and "Plymouth"), I dearly love my li'l switcher puppies and wouldn't trade them for all the Big Boys in Nebraska!

But even my GE kids need a big brother to look up to--that's where the P2K S1 comes in...it even has a matching paintjob!

[tstage]

Don,

I like your title better...[:)]


Jetrock,

Personally, I LIKE the GE 44-tonners! Cute as a bug and probably worth their weight in gold. (Wow! If current prices for gold are, let's say $400/ounce, that would come to over a half billion dollars a piece! I.e. $563, 200,000, to be exact.) They still use one here in Cleveland, down at the E.55th RTA terminal. I like 'em!

Tom

[SpaceMouse]

Screw loose?

On one hand, you guys tell me to keep you posted on Lil Guy, then when I do I get a load of horsepucky.

What was that Rodney used to say?

"I tell ya, I don't get no respect."

[Anonymous]

But it is good for a laugh!!!! And what's wrong woth horsepucky?? It works very well on tomato plants and flowers.

I can't wait for the next exciting episode.

Enquiring minds want to know.

Bob

[fec153]

Spaced Out ,whoops, I mean Space Mouse. My 44 tonner looks so lost on my layout , that I rarely run it. I leave it on a siding on the upper level, out of the way.
Flip

[twhite]

Spacemouse--don't let 'em get to you, we ALL have our favorites, and they may not be the most attractive things on the layout (though LIL GUY is cute as a button), but we develop a real affection for them. Glad the guy's getting better, and have fun at the beauty shop. Make SURE you post the results, okay? I'm rooting for him. And you.
Tom [tup][tup]

[SpaceMouse]

Lil Guy is a symbol of my stupidity for buying things I don't understand. I'm giving him a place of honor in my PRR setup ant my club.

As for ribbing, I take as good as I give. No worries.

[tstage]

C'mon Chip! If we didn't care about both you and Lil' Guy, you wouldn't be getting no where near all this "help". (You're probably thinking to yourself right now, "Oh, yeah. You guys are a BIG help!")

Despite the slight ribbing, we ARE interested in the outcome of the surgery and new custom paint job. Hey, do ya' think this might qualify for an episode of "Extreme Makeover"?

Tom

[SpaceMouse]

My dear sweet daddy always says, "If the fire's too hot, get insulated shoes." Or something like that.

[Don Gibson]

I admire your Spirit -if somewhat Masochistic - but -
it seems to me YOU seem to be intent on compounding problems - with your oddly matched accuisitions.

'Silk purse and Sow's ear' keep's coming to mind. Certainly 'cart before the horse'.

Biggest problem is - as a newbie - you get discouraged, an throw up you hands. I would really hate to see that. happen. Replacing 'Lil guy' with someting more dependable might be a good start, regardless how 'cute' it may be. I'd rather see you as a successful modeler, knowing how 'good' the hobby can be..

Re-read your 'early advice'.

[SpaceMouse]

I picked up a PRR Proto 2000 ALCO S1 switcher.

Lil Guy might spend some time on 00 at the club. Or I might make a scale 1/4 mile see what he can do.

[mcouvillion]

Chip,

Glad to see you took the time to study what was wrong and figure out a fix. Sometimes it just takes a little while for the answer to make itself known.

And as Teffy said about your progress: "People requiring minds want to know!" Did I get that right???

Mark C.

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mcouvillion

Chip,

Glad to see you took the time to study what was wrong and figure out a fix. Sometimes it just takes a little while for the answer to make itself known.

And as Teffy said about your progress: "People requiring minds want to know!" Did I get that right???

Mark C.

I had an inkling of what was wrong a couple days ago. I just worked late 4 days last week and yesterday was the first day I got to really get into it.