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Spring Belts for old HO Trolleys

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  • Member since
    December 2007
  • 1,307 posts
Spring Belts for old HO Trolleys
Posted by Falcon48 on Saturday, September 9, 2023 9:57 PM

Many older trolley models used a spring belt drive (Suydam, etc.).  Does anyone know of a source for replacement belts?  Alpine models (the successor to Suydam), used to carry them, but they don't anymore.

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, September 9, 2023 10:49 PM

I bought some here:

https://www.ministeam.com/category/Live-Steam-Fuel-Belts-Oil

Double check your OD to be sure you order the correct belt. You'll have to cut them to length and bend your own linking eye.

Good Luck, Ed

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Sunday, September 10, 2023 10:24 AM

I have two sets of the older kind, with the necked-down end that made a continuous belt, like the belts in the old Mamod or Wilesco model  steam-engine toys.  You cut the 'un-necked' end to length, and the belt then acts 'seamless' except for a short section of stiffer behavior.  They were being remaindered out as old stock (for under $10 a package).  Let me know if one or both would be helpful.

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • 1,162 posts
Posted by PC101 on Sunday, September 10, 2023 2:46 PM

I see in gmpullman's above post that they have the Mamond spring belts, these should have the tappered/necked down end that I am looking for. The Jenson spring look like they have the ''hook'' on both ends. Thanks all.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 1,190 posts
Posted by mvlandsw on Sunday, September 10, 2023 7:45 PM

Would it be possible to use a rubber O ring of the correct size?

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • 1,307 posts
Posted by Falcon48 on Sunday, September 10, 2023 9:34 PM

mvlandsw

Would it be possible to use a rubber O ring of the correct size?

 

The trouble with a rubber O ring, or any other belt that can't undone is that you have to take apart the power truck to install it.  The trucks aren't designed to be disassembled.  You would have to unsolder the joints to disassemble the truck and then resolder everything once the belts were installed.  The old spring belts could be installed and then attached into a loop without disassembling anything else.

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