Hello,
I recently purchased a wonderful Rivarossi Union Pacidic Fef 4-8-4 from a local hobby store. I admit I purchased it at a discount and really didnt look it over as good as I should have.
Turns out I bought someone elses project that went wrong, and am unable to return it.
The engine runs fine, except one of the pistons fell off, and I cant get it back on as a piece is missing. It looked as though someone wanted to hardwire the tender to the engine, so they removed the coupling from the engine, so now i have 4 or 5 wires exposed. It looks as there is an arm also that attaches to the engine for tender as well that has fallen off or was damaged.
I contacted Rivarossi, and unfortunatly since this model hasnt been rereleased through Hornby, they have no blue prints or way of reparing it.
Is there someone reputable online I could send it to for repair? I know sometime I saw a posting with someone who did repairs but that was 4years ago.
Thanks in advance!
Why not try to deal with it yourself? I figure you can either fabricate the missing pieces yourself with the available plastics or scour ebay for a donor. Most manufactures try to use the same parts on many different locos when they can to cut costs. Biggest thing is to not rush, try to remember the big picture, and just think about what you are trying to accomplish.
I found myself intrigued by your problems with this engine. HO steamers don't have "pistons". They do have crossheads and rods though. Is that the part you are looking for? If you need additional parts my suggestion is that you go to a train show somewhere and look for an older Riverossi 4-8-4 in sombody's junk box or bargain table. Buy it and stip the parts you need off it. Trying to send it out for repairs is liable to run you more cash than the engine is worth.
donny2001 Hello, I recently purchased a wonderful Rivarossi Union Pacidic Fef 4-8-4 from a local hobby store. I admit I purchased it at a discount and really didnt look it over as good as I should have. Turns out I bought someone elses project that went wrong, and am unable to return it. The engine runs fine, except one of the pistons fell off, and I cant get it back on as a piece is missing. It looked as though someone wanted to hardwire the tender to the engine, so they removed the coupling from the engine, so now i have 4 or 5 wires exposed. It looks as there is an arm also that attaches to the engine for tender as well that has fallen off or was damaged. I contacted Rivarossi, and unfortunatly since this model hasnt been rereleased through Hornby, they have no blue prints or way of reparing it. Is there someone reputable online I could send it to for repair? I know sometime I saw a posting with someone who did repairs but that was 4years ago. Thanks in advance!
Could you post some pictures? I have one of the original UP FEF's from the first production run in 1981 or so. Maybe with some pictures to see what you're talking about, we could talk you through it.
Andre
somebody around here has a link to a good RR parts place.
rivarrossi repairs pop up here often, do a search on this forum, it may come up.
Bowser has parts available that might fit, like making a drawbar. But maybe you could finish the unfinished work and make a permanent drawbar.
I bought a PFM NKP 2-8-4 and thought the underframe was missing and I fashioned my own frame, tho I did a reasonable style pro-like work on it, having a dremel and a vise with moveable clamp, that made it easy to do but a lot of patience and I made the part. But then I found the frame stuck in my parts bin I made for it...BIG DUH...
Sit down look the engine over and visualize your needs, hit the hobbyshop if they have the metal shapes thingy, your going to be AOK., and look for teeny tiny screws too.
Donny, I had a problem with a Rivarossi switcher and contacted Golf Manor hobbies. They supplied me with the parts I needed in a hurry, and even called me to confirm part of the order. Give em a try.
Their addy is;
2235 Losantiville AveCincinnati, OH 45237-4222513-351-3849
Dear UP FEF 4-8-4 Owner:
I am new to this forum. I like to repair Rivarossi locomotives. There is very little I can't fix on a Rivarossi steam loco. Aquiring used parts can be a problem because some of the Rivarossi models have the steam chest (cylinders) riveted to the chassis. If the cylinder block has broken off, a new one can be fabricated from styrene plastic sheet, brass sheet, tin can stock or hardwood. I generally start by making a detailed drawing of the desired part. I use a vernier caliper to measure the existing features (using the cylinder piece which is remaining). Then I machine the parts and cut them out using a hack saw, tin ships or scissors. I drill holes as needed for the crossheads, etc. The parts can be bonded together with superglue and reinforced with small strips of tin can stock if necessary. I also do plastic fusion welds. The drawbar (loco to tender linklage) can also be made from steel strip, brass or copper. Again, holes must be drilled in the drawbar. A cat-whisker spring is generally needed on the drawbar to pick up the pin on the tender. Attaching the draw bar to the chassis can be tricky. This probably requires drilling out a rivet and replacing it with a machine bolt, nut and spring.
If you would like more detailed information. I can e-mail a more detailed response or send you a letter. This up to you. Please conform with any requirements for this forum so we don't break any rules.
Theyliketorun