Hi
New guy here again. I am wondering if there is somewhere that I can find general information on the care and repair of ho steam locomotives. Are there any books, web sites, forums, etc that would help me figure out how to tell if a steam locomotive is repairable or just another "static display" or parts source?
thanks
wdcrvr
Hi, welcome.
Kalmbach (our host publisher, here) has two books that are pretty basic but helpful to beginners (like me!)
l. Maintaining & Repairing Your Scale Model Trains.
2. another Kalbach book called "Steam Locomotive Projects" or something similar... by John Pryke
I'd be glad to hear of something more substantial but #1. should get you started.
Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.
First you chose the right place to look i don't know my self but I am sure there are alot of fine modelers on this site that are very helpful in steam.rambo1...
What type of steam locos you are running would also be helpful, that is: brass, plastic, cast, or possibly something made from a kit such as a previously built Bowser or something along those lines.
Mark
There have been some good MR articles on HO steamers over the years. There are some indexes to MR going back to the founding of the magazine on the web. If you can find some one with a collection of old MR's you can make some money. Then you can do a web search for the manufacturer's instruction sheet. Web site HOseeker.com is good.
In principle any steamer can be repaired. You can make a steamer from scratch, so you can fix anything, if you work at it. In practice, few of us are going to go that far. There are two cases to consider, buying a used steamer from someone else, and fixing one of yours that used to run OK and now does not.
In the "buy" case, I want to see the locomotive run on the track before parting with cash. If it doesn't run, there are plenty more out there that do and they will certainly be in better shape. So long as it runs and doesn't sound too bad, and isn't missing parts, you can clean it up, paint it, and have a decent steamer. You can add details, piping, air conpressors and such.
In the "it's mine and it stopped running" case, unless it took a trip to the floor, it's probably repairable. Broken or worn drive line parts like gears and U joints can be replaced from NWSL or the orignal maker. Electrical faults (shorts or opens) are easily repairable, at least if you know how to solder.
Ordinary hand tools will take them apart and put them together again. Just don't loose any parts. A dark colored machine screw dropped on a rug is the next thing to invisible. Take pictures as it comes apart so you can remember how to get it back together. Note which side of the locomotive has the insulated wheels. If you get a wheel set reversed you have created a short circuit.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
I just thought of something....
In case you are brand new to model rairoading and are merely concerned with keeping something (anything) running while you learn, Bachman Spectrum steam locomotives carry a life time guarantee which to my knowledge no one else does. If you're the new owner under warrantee repair is free minus you mailing it back to them. If you're not the original owner it costs $25, currently.
This company's policy took a ton of fear out of purchasing my lst $150-200 locomotive!
Hope that's not off topic and helps you out. There DO need to be more extensive repair books out there than the minimalistic ones. It's not helping that manufacturers aren't telling us how to get a cab/superstructure off anymore. Parts sheets and written directions are beginning to leave this kind of info. out.