Phoenix sound a few years old. Love it. I mounted the speaker in the backhead.
Greg Elmassian said:
There is basically about a 1 degree mismatch between the taper in the wheel and the taper on the axle end.
Jake, read all the fixes on Raymond’s site, read all the fixes on my site. Bottom line, the Aristo drivetrain is actually rugged, but if you don’t compensate for some design and assembly flaws, things can go south in a hurry. The forums are littered with people who have sent their mallets in many times to be fixed.
Follow the suggestions you read on sites of people that have many Aristo steamers, and first hand experience.
Greg
I was basically thinking out loud. I don’t model that time period so have no desire to own one. Welcome back, BTW.
Hi Kevin,
I have a first gen mallet that has had quite a bit of work done to it. But, you must understand that we run this locomotive A LOT. It is the go-to engine for everything from short caboose hop trains to long passenger trains and longer freight trains. It is a beast. In the first couple years of ownership, I really beat this engine down. From long freight trains on hot summer days to continuous snowplow operations in the dead of winter to running displays at the ECLSTS, this engine has seen it all. I have had gears deform under snow and ice pressure, motors fail, and wheels come loose. As much as I could, I was able to make repairs myself. However, there were times when it was too much for me, and I sent them to Aristo. Now that they’re closed, I have curtailed the length of trains and snowplowing with this (and all the rest) of my engines. Too much wear and tear.
Raymond’s site is great for how to improve the first generation locomotive right out of the box. I lapped the axles on loose drivers and oblonged the side rods. This made the locomotive run much smoother.
I find that having both sets of drivers pivot makes the engine ‘look’ better going around tight curves. It keeps the boiler from swinging way out over the track.
While I do not have the 2nd gen mallet, I have three other locomotives from the same era (two 2-8-0s and a 4-6-2) and have not had any problems with the drive train. What I do like about these last run steamers is having all the controls in the tender, under a removable coal load. Makes installation of electronics and sound units very very easy. My recommendation is to find a second generation mallet.
Daniel- Looks like you are way over your allotted quota for mallets. I can help you get rid of one!!!
BTW- very nice video!
Mark- Thanks for the info. These mallets sound pretty rugged, especially after hearing about all that you’ve put them through. I wish I would have grabbed one when Aristo had their big sale on them. I’ve read the info on Raymond’s site. His site is awesome and he’s real cool, too. Lots of great fixes and other informative stuff. I’m in the hunt!
-Kevin.
I own three, 2 first gen and one 2nd gen. Love em. Run them all the time. Grandkids love to run them also…Jim
Mallet, Has lots to over come. But all is not lost. As there are shillers and jokers posting that dont give you all the facts, I will…I’m on the rd and when I come back shortly the shillers and the people that got caught sticking there foot in there mouths with blind loyalty will most likely be gone back to the m-th moderator status.
Nicky luv you guys even the house builders and fathers that changed his kids diapers in the sink of the ECLSTS. Nasty…Don’t forget the postings of the Mallet catching on fire and blamed on sound Manufactures, The Mallet did catch on fire but it wasn’t due to the sound Manufacture but the Manufacture…
Nicky
[youtube]http://youtu.be/BwvNjkZo0Jk[/youtube]
Nicky does as usual own most of it…
Quote,
So, I’m turning to the experts, once again. What has been your experience with this loco?
I’l give you the real facts, unlike the shillers…
Did it ever occur to you that there are probably a lot of people who own that engine and didn’t have any problems with it? We all know how much you dislike AristoCraft, you made that plain enough. Calling people shills and liars is not gonna help your case any. Sheesh!
No case just the facts… No emotions at all… Do you own it??? Nope
there in lies the problem … facts only Boys… Ketch you at ECLSTS.
Nicky
Nick,
Fact: The bathroom at the ECLSTS has a table for changing diapers, like most modern facilities.
Question: Why were you watching people changing their kids’ diapers in the bathroom? That’s creepy dude.
Why the hatin’ and name callin’?
Nick S. said:
Mallet, Has lots to over come. But all is not lost. As there are shillers and jokers posting that dont give you all the facts, I will…I’m on the rd and when I come back shortly the shillers and the people that got caught sticking there foot in there mouths with blind loyalty will most likely be gone back to the m-th moderator status.
Nicky luv you guys even the house builders and fathers that changed his kids diapers in the sink of the ECLSTS. Nasty…Don’t forget the postings of the Mallet catching on fire and blamed on sound Manufactures, The Mallet did catch on fire but it wasn’t due to the sound Manufacture but the Manufacture…
Nicky
[youtube]http://youtu.be/BwvNjkZo0Jk[/youtube]
Nicky does as usual own most of it…
Quote,
So, I’m turning to the experts, once again. What has been your experience with this loco?
I’l give you the real facts, unlike the shillers…
Tone down the name calling, gentlemen. Watching this one.
Mark Oles said:
Nick,
Fact: The bathroom at the ECLSTS has a table for changing diapers, like most modern facilities.
Question: Why were you watching people changing their kids’ diapers in the bathroom? That’s creepy dude.
Why the hatin’ and name callin’?
“If it was you,” I was surprised you were doing that in the sink rite out in front of everyone that cant help but see it when they walk in. No hating just the facts…
But then some people were never very good at that were they…
Cute web site you got there…
Everyone take a deep breath.
Mark Oles said:
Nick,
Fact: The bathroom at the ECLSTS has a table for changing diapers, like most modern facilities.
Question: Why were you watching people changing their kids’ diapers in the bathroom? That’s creepy dude.
Why the hatin’ and name callin’?
What creeps me out is Nick referring to himself in the third person. And it creeps out Smokey, my imaginary lead engineer too.
The issue with the Mallet is more drivers to slip on the axles, so more chances to lock up the valve gear and destroy gearboxes, etc.
This has not changed.
Also apparently the toleration of name calling.
Loctite will not help either.