Bargain buying: Proto 2000 0-8-0 switcher

[tstage]

Thanks, TZ.  I'll look into that.

Tom

[Texas Zepher]

Thanks for the feedback  Where have you been purchasing the newer trucks from?  Is there a particular name given to them?

I had been purchasing them from Life-like and ordered them by part number.  I haven't tried that for about 6 months now, and I don't know if Walthers has figured out the old part numbers or not.   It is probably time to give them a call again.   I can't find the parts list for the 0-8-0 at the moment (in storage) but here are the parts number equivalence from an 0-6-0 and 2-8-8-2.

parts from an 0-6-0 needed:
#TS3 internal power strip bracket screw (quantity 2)
#T8 internal power strip bracket (quantity 2)
#T9 internal power strips & spring (quantity 2)
#T17 truck frame (quantity 2)
#T18 power wipers (quantity 4)
#T19 wheel axles (quantity 4)
If you have the exploded 0-6-0 tender diagram it is obvious how they go together.  If not slide the tang of the power pickups through the slot in the truck frame and put in the wheel axles.  The rest should become obvious when you try to put the truck onto the tender.  You will have to loosen the internal circuit board and upper tender floor to install the internal spring/power strips.  Depending on the age of the 0-8-0 tender you might not need the T17 truck frames because the ones you have might already have the slots for the wipers.  You also might have to cut slots for the power wipers to go through the tender floor, and might have to drill holes for the #TS3. Finally one simply solders leads onto the T9 and connect them to the track power feed from the loco.

parts from a 2-8-8-2 needed:
#T70 power wiper springs (quantity 4)
#T18 power wipers (quantity 4)
#T19 truck frame (quantity 2)
#T22 wheel axles (quantity 4)
Because the internal power strips are too long, with this set up one must solder a lead onto each of the T18 wipers and connect them to the appropriate power feed locations on the circuit board.

[tstage]

The problem with the older ones was the pickups on the tenders weren't on all eight wheels like the newer ones.  This can easily be corrected by changing the tender trucks to the new ones, or just adding more power pick ups.

TZ,

Thanks for the feedback.  Where have you been purchasing the newer trucks from?  Is there a particular name given to them?  Thanks again.

Tom

[Texas Zepher]

I'm trying to remember.  Did the older, analog (non-DCC/no sound) Proto 2000 0-8-0 switchers have problems stalling over turnouts and crossings?  You can pick one up fairly cheap, now that DCC/sound versions are on the market.  I was just wondering if it's worth picking one up.

Yes they did.  The problem with the older ones was the pickups on the tenders weren't on all eight wheels like the newer ones.  This can easily be corrected by changing the tender trucks to the new ones, or just adding more power pick ups.    I have been grabbing these locos up for $50-$80 at swap meets and on e-bay. 

[tstage]

I'm trying to remember.  Did the older, analog (non-DCC/no sound) Proto 2000 0-8-0 switchers have problems stalling over turnouts and crossings?  You can pick one up fairly cheap, now that DCC/sound versions are on the market.  I was just wondering if it's worth picking one up.  Thanks.

Tom