Smokebox front still doesn't totally stay in place, I'll try something else.
really lovin' this engine !
She cycles reliably forward and reverse
and is the best smokin' AF engine I have !
Road tested and approved :
the 312 is one of my best running Flyer engines !
Don't you just love a story with a happy ending ?
Yep, I love those craft stores, too. Michael's, also Joanne's, you can usually find something of value.
Becky told the story back on page three of the thread, it's a pre-Star War sci-fi novel by George Lucas. I'd never heard of it either.
You're welcome on the Swarofski tip! One more thing, I use the Swarofski 3mm green foil-backs to replace missing Lionel steam engine jewels, you know, the ones that simulate classification lights? The Swarofski's green color isn't as dark as the original Lionel, but they do pick up and reflect light better than the originals. I've also installed them as running "lights," for lack of a better term, on the sides of my Jersey Transit passenger cars.
Goes without saying measure the missing headlight socket, the crystals come in different sizes, and use a metric ruler.
Some pretty good stuff in craft stores. If I accompany Lady Firestorm to one if she's on one of her knitting yarn raids I do a walk-through to see if there's anything I can use. Lots of times, there is.
Penny Trains Ever heard of this?
Ever heard of this?
I'll bite.
What's the story ?
Flintlock76 If you're missing a headlight lens, or need to adapt a front end to one, try what I did. I've used 6mm Swarovski crystals as lens substitutes, clear for headlight lenses and red for tail lights. They pick up light beautifully, and they're inexpensive. I get them at Michael's craft stores. A.C. Moore may have them too. Note, these are the see-through types, not the foil backs.
If you're missing a headlight lens, or need to adapt a front end to one, try what I did. I've used 6mm Swarovski crystals as lens substitutes, clear for headlight lenses and red for tail lights. They pick up light beautifully, and they're inexpensive. I get them at Michael's craft stores. A.C. Moore may have them too.
Note, these are the see-through types, not the foil backs.
Thank you !
Mind you that I haven't tried it yet, but seems like it should work. My headlight bulb is on the smoke box front, so I will need occasional access. Don't want it too permanent....
Postwar Paul I've been running my 282 all day : I guess I'm just amazed it actually works ! But seriously, it's a smooth runner, and a chain smoker ! I'm thinking of using those temporary sticky globs to hold the smoke box front on the 312, that way I can still remove it.
I've been running my 282 all day :
I guess I'm just amazed it actually works !
But seriously, it's a smooth runner, and a chain smoker !
I'm thinking of using those temporary sticky globs to hold the smoke box front on the 312, that way I can still remove it.
That would probably be easier. The hot glue kept cooling before I could get the front back in place. Strangely, mine had the headlight mounterd off of the boiler front but the headlight wasn't bored. I did that with my Dremel in the work station accessory and used a drop of hot glue to simulate a lens. But when it works loose again, and I know it will, I'll try using a Scotch brand glue dot instead of trying to hot glue the front back on. Good idea!
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
Yes, those countermeasures.
Your 310 looks great !
And these Flyer engines are beautiful, and fun to run.
Penny Trains I had to do a fair amount of adjusting to my trackwork to get my 310 to stop derailing. And a dab of hot glue to get the front to stop falling off. But she's running like a champ now!
I had to do a fair amount of adjusting to my trackwork to get my 310 to stop derailing.
And a dab of hot glue to get the front to stop falling off.
But she's running like a champ now!
Fini
Still running forward only, but
C'est la vie ! That's good enough for me ! I consider this project complete.
She has "found her legs "
She is running very smoothly now !
Wow! What a difference !
....which suits me just fine !!
Got her going with just a wheel cleaning !
although, she's stuck in " forward"
My personal experience with the Flyer engines that I have is they are extremely smooth running and reliable. But getting them to that point sometimes takes considerable effort. The 282 is fighting me tooth and nail. Intermittent electrical contact, sticking reverse unit, and on and on.
But all these things are fixable. It just takes time and patience. When you work the problems through, you've got a great engine!
Very happy with the 312, she's a real sweetheart!!!
my new fave !
Interesting about George Lucas and the pre-Star Wars novel. I had no idea.
Thanks Becky!
Aint it great when they finally get to fly and all that effort pays off!
Flintlock76No, I haven't! What is it?
It's the pre, pre, pre Star Wars novel G.L. wrote. A friend of mine lucked into a copy back in the 80's that he found at a used book store. But it wasn't as elaborate as the one I linked. It was just a simple hardcover book containing the story of Luke Starkiller.
By the way, Tataoine is in Tunisia, and THIS, is a Chedi:
Funny how things get named. Like Chew-bacca......
The 282 is back together, but many,many bugs to work out.....
You take the high road
and I'll take the low road....
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