reviveing a older rivarossi 2-8-4,is it worth the trouble/cost?

[mikebonellisr]

While rummaging through some of my train boxes that I had packed away about 10 years ago,I came across a rivarossi 2-8-4 I had forgotten about.I havent taken it apart yet,but I cleaned the wheels and lubed the running gear.I got it to run ,but not smoothly.The drive shaft runs vertically down from the boiler to a gear on the drive wheels.I was impressed with the models tooling and if I apply some cal-scale details and such,it will be a great looking engine.Has anyone had experience repowering this engine?I would like to put in( or have someone put in) a decent can motor for good slow speed operation
Another thing is,Will it be worth it?

[countershot]

I got a rivarossi 0-8-0 that has the same problem. It does not run very smooth but i like the way it looks and i would realy like to have it run smooth. I realy did not pay much for it but i like to work right. If you have any info for me on this loco please let me know? If i know anything i will let you know.

Now I have a athearn sd-9 and it has a bad ginding noise i have lubed it but the sound is still there can you help? [V]

[Anonymous]

Before deciding to re-power it, you should first disassemble the gear box, clean the gears, and replace the gear lubricant with a modern high-quality gear lube such as LaBelle. I haven't done the 2-8-4 but in general its pretty easy to re-motor the larger Rivarossi steam. You should be aware, however, that most can motors will give you a significantly slower engine due to their copmaratively low RPMs. Not necessarily a bad thing, just something to be aware of. Whether its worth the money is really up to you, but in my opinion its easily worth about $35 in parts if you do it yourself, probably notworth the $100 or more that you would pay to have it re-motored for you. One thing you have in its favor: the basic power train is very good, there is no need to re-gear. BUt you will also find improved performance if you add a track wiper for better electrical pick-up. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I dug an old Rivarossi 2-8-4 out of the box about 4 years ago. My intention was to detail it to absolutely resemble a prototype locomotive. It shuddered and snorted just like others mentioned in this post. I agree, clean the gearbox and re-grease it. Another thing I did was to take the motor out of the locomotive and work on the valve gear until I could pu***he mechanism on a glass plate using no down pressure and still have the wheels turn. I found some binding in the valve gear, it was bent from years of storage. Re-motoring this locomotive is very easy. I did not make a new motor mount, I just mounted the new motor in silastic silicone caulk. I like to perform this type of work, so you just know I would encourage you to go for it. Only you can decide if the expenditure is worthy of the end product.

Tom

[orsonroy]

Don't bother. The old Rivarossi Berkshire not only look so-so, but they ran REALLY badly. I HAVE repowered one, well before P2K announced their high-quality model. For a $20 flat can and $5 worth of NWSL universals, I got an engine that had better slow speed control, but not much else. The engine was still too light and balanced improperly, and which had lots of BAD inaccuracies. It was a PITA to cut, file, fit and swear my way through the conversion.

I'd suggest selling the old Rivand buying one of the new P2K engines. If you don't want to spend that sort of money, Trainworld has some of the newest run Rivarossi Berks (with can motor and flywheel) for $59.99. They run much better than the old pancake motor version.

Being a NKP steam modeler, the Berkshire is a mandatory engine for my roster. I've had old United Berks, both versions of Rivarossi, and even an Arbour kit. I sold them all off and bought a fleet of P2K's.

[Don Gibson]

Word on improving NEW RIVAROSSI Engines is generally " can do, but not worth the effort".
Word on OLD Rivarossi I hear is "Don't bother".

In shorrt- is the time and effort worth it? Many have tried,.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy



I'd suggest selling the old Rivand buying one of the new P2K engines.

I believe the P2Ks has a solid warranty, the best in the industry
and a descent reputation. I have two.
The new Rivs are much improved( I have three) but their claimed warranty
doesn't stand up to P2K.

[Virginian]

I'd go for it. A guy on ebay sells can motors for these at $10 a pop. There's plenty of room to add weight. Tweaking the mechanism is fun because they basically don't have a BAD mechanism, just needs a little adjustment. And, if you screw up, so what?
The new P2K Berk is fabulous, all you need to do is set it on the track and go, but it ain't free, and all you can get is NP, C&O, and VGN.
If you want one to run right now with no effort, and want it to look great, get the P2K, if you want one that's a lot better but needs repainting for most the newer Rivs aren't too bad, if you want to play with one; you have one.

[dinwitty]

I have a berk whick has gone some repowering and work, I used NWSL regear kit, just replaces the upper worm gearset.

It slows it down but then these were freight engines and I like to watch the action and not run between towns in just a few seconds.

and its worth for switching.

If you don't want to spend for a new engine, the NWSL gear is your best cheap upgrade, no more than 20 bucks.
Give all the gears and drive train a cleaning/lubing.

One trick I did was to get the drivers spung to run over rough track using sping metal power pickups, bending and folding and filing up the axle slots, works good, brass quality on a rivarossi engine.

But I bought the p2k berk to replace my riv berk I plan to sell, its as an excellent runner with fine detail.

[mikebonellisr]

Thanks All
I have a new p2k berk sitting in tony's train xchange waiting for a tsunami sound installation.I have not seen or run the model yet,but bought it on the weight of reviews.I think that if I'm able to get the old rivarossi to run decent (slow speed running is usually what I try to achive) for less than $75 or $100,I may just try and have fun with it.That should be worth the cost.Now to take it apart and see what we've got.....By the way,which motor did you use for the repowering?

[Anonymous]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=19129&item=5955147464&rd=1
Mike if you do decide to repower your rivarossi there is a guy who sells direct replacement can motors for them on E-bay 3 for 25.00. I have had him rebuild a couple of older rivs for me.for less than 75 dollars he installed decoder, new can motor, rebuilt gear tower, new pickup and leads in the tender, upgraded lights .I think he had the loco less then two weeks I was very impressed with his work. Although no matter how good you get the older riv to run setting beside the P2K berk the difference in detailing is as different as night and day.The P2k berk is awesome. One of the reasons I think rivarossi no longer exists.Terry

[Anonymous]

MR did a review on the first run Berk, March 2004. There's been a second run, May 2004 and a third this March.