Finally got around to see what’s wrong with the 2-8-0.
Took it apart and tightened up all the inner motor block stuff as advised by Dave.
Turns out the main POS plastic gear under neath the motor block is broke and just spinning on the axle.
What now?
Pull the axle and send it to Bachmann for a new one that will break again, or ???
John,
The answer is coming. There are five drill jigs; the main body and four additional “covers”. A top cover which closes off the top. A top side cover, which encompasses the worm and worm gear, the lower side cover which engages the gear on the axle (a new 30T 32 pitch gear with ball bearings on the axle), and the lower cover which attaches the gearbox to the axle, much like Bachmann’s original design, just stronger stuff.
The main jig has been checked out and one correction made. The others have to be checked out,how well the parts from those jigs match up to the needs of the main body.
I will keep you advised on the other thread.
Barry - BBT
Question:
Will an average person, with little experience, be able to forward a geared axle to you, Barry, for the application of a new gear ?
How much would the charge be for such a service ?
As far as the rest of the gear train is concerned; will a person be able to order new gears for replacement in the existing gear box ?
If a person has to order a complete new gear box; will it have to include a new motor and worm gear ?
What is one to expect with this replacement stuff you say you are working on ?
And, of course, at what price ?
I am guessing that you are working on a complete new gearbox and motor drive, but this does not explain what a person is to do about a cracked gear on the geared axle.....
A few answers would be very much appreciated on this matter, because if your charges are too much, it might just be less expensive for most to pick up a spare Connie at a clear-out sale…and keep it for parts.
Fr. Fred,
I am working on a complete new gearbox and motor. It may be too expensive for some, but it will be a big improvement over the original and as I do with everything else I make it is warranted.
I am working on the installation instructions, with photos, TOC is going to produce the instructions for the mods needed in the firebox area. I want to make this as simple as possible without having to ship nice locos all over the country (even Canada). The actual gear installation, my gear not Bachmann’s, is very similar but a larger gear, ball bearings on the gearbox and throughout the gear box. Also the motor is my old stand by Pittman.
TOC has been running this loco for several months. I wanted to keep the low speed running capability of this loco and TOC says we have it. It has performed very well for TOC, but I’ll let him tell you (but you’ll have to ask).
Barry - BBt
Thank you for a slight peek at your plan…but…
You still did not answer the BIG question.
How is the average dork going to instal a new gear on the geared axle ?
…or are you including a new axle and wheels…or will a customer send you the axle to have a gear pressed on…?
Fr. Fred,
Actually it is not that difficult, especially if you have photos to help you along: Remove the siderods, mainrod on one side of the chassis (the chassis is up-side-down) remove the small screws holding the brake array in place, roll that back out of the way. Remove the cover to the old gearbox. Lift the old gearbox out of the way. Lift the third axle up out of the journals, remove the counterweight from one side, slip the counter weight off of the axle.
Take the journal off of the same end, slide the old gear out of the way. Fit one of the new ball bearings on to the axle. The bearing will not pass the serrations in the axle. With a small file remove one of the serrations, continue around the axle, when you have completed the the first circle around the axle try the ball bearing, if it passes the serrations, you are done filing.
The interesting part of this operation is that the axle measures .249" in diameter, the first inch dimension axle that I have found from Bachmann. There are more details, but that, basically is the placement of the new gear on the old axle.
Barry - BBT
Socket and vise.