1615 Tender frame

[ChuckM]

 Hi Everyone...

 I've just refurbished a 1615 engine that had been dormant (and abused) in a box for the past 45 years or so.   Now I'm attempting to build the 1615T tender.    I have the plastic body and have salvaged 2 trucks (one with coupler). All I need now is the frame.   I saw none for sale online and decided to try to make one.    I was looking online for a schematic and found none.....If anyone can point me toward one that would be great. Other wise, I have a small piece of similar gauge metal lying around and will attempt to cut and form it to do the job.    The tricky part will be forming the raised areas where the trucks attach. Anyone have any experience at doing this...or any advice.

Thanks in advance

Chuck
 

[bfskinner]

I think the part is "1615-50 frame" but am by no means certain of it.

I tried several well-established parts dealers, In cluding perhaps David Laughride ("Dr. Tinker") and DEW Associates and others more familiar to you. No luck.. You  may have to ask. The one "hit" I got on Google was a broken link. You may have to haunt some train shows and look for junkers. Look around in the cardboard boxes that many sellers keep under the table.

It's just possible, albeit unlikely, that some little tender currently in production at Lionel uses the same frame. 

You may find some additional part numbers at the link, but I have no idea which will fit, if any.

 Good luck..

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/cd/locos/lent2.pdf

.

.

[ChuckM]

 Thanks,

I'll keep an eye out at the shows for any one selling one of these frames. In the meantime I'm going to try to fabricate my own.  I have a scrap of metal that looks to be the same gauge....I can make the cuts and bends easy enough.   I'm looking for some clever way to make the contoured area where the trucks attach.

 

chuckm
 

[lionelsoni]

Do you have a socket set?  I just tried this with a piece of aluminum (since I couldn't find suitable steel), and it worked pretty well.  I used a 5/8- and a 7/8-inch 12-point socket, squeezed in a vise.  The shoulders are not as steep as Lionel's; but it looks completely serviceable.

[ADCX Rob]

 You could use a frame from a 1050T, 1061T, or 1062T too.

Rob

[submmbob]

 Chuck

I have a newly acquired 1615 that is complete. I would be happy to open up the tender and make you some measurements and photos.

Bob

 P.S. Ironically it's in the photo on the left next to my elbow:)

[ChuckM]

 Hi Bob...That would be awesome if you could do that..... basically what I need is length, width, length of the 3 bent edges, locations of the centers of the 2 trucks. ....and then there's that fancy bent bumper....I'm not quite sure how I'll do that and may not do it at all.  Either post here or send directly yo me at [e-mail]

Thanks,

Chuck 

[submmbob]

 Lemme take it apart and get some measurements (decimal units from a caliper ok?). I'll also take some pictures of it for you. Give's me a good excuse to clean it and the locomotive:)

Bob

 

[LL675]

I made some frames for a few 2400 series passenger car bodies untill I found original frames. I heated the metal with a torch( not alot) using a small ball peen hammer I made the raised areas. I sat the metal on a large socket approx. the size needed.

 

Dave

[submmbob]

 Chuck

I just sent you an email. Let me know if you need any more info.

Bob

 

 

[Dub]

As an alternative, I have used the dime a dozen, Babe Ruth Box Car frame. To shorten, the frame can be cut over lapped in the center and riveted. The width is narrow and will fit. I epoxy a mound inside the shell and slot to receive the frame. I make my own draw bar receiver.

 I use this method, to get use out of the longer tenders with defects dicarded by collectors.

I will have to try Bob's Socket Method. I could of used that on a tanker frame I made.

[teledoc]

     If you are still looking to get 1615 tender frame, there is one listed on ebay for $3 plus $3 shipping as of Oct. 1, 2010.  These tenders had rear step, other tenders with step are 244t, 1625t, & 1050t with different trucks.  The 1615 had bar-end trucks.

[SantaFe158]

Here's one on the Lionel Parts website, 6928661T75 - FRAME/D/C 0-4-0 SWITCHER $14.50 It should be the same one.

[Dr.Fu-Manchu]

Are you still looking for a Tender frame??? If you are, drop a line and I will send you one for the cost of postage. I have two 1615's and more than two tenders for them, one frame is a marx that someone put lionel trucks on. It will beat trying make your own.

Dr.Fu-Manchu