Howdy
Rumors have it (and the website shows) a replacement gear for the Connie. Being cheap (and unemployed) $12 for a gear is more in line with my pocketbook than a BBT replacement drive (which WILL be used in the future). Anyone done this replacement? Or have any other ideas?
Is yours cracked? I think I might have an extra.
Yes, I’ve done it. It’s not a hard switch at all, just watch out that you don’t launch the springs that support the bearing blocks into a parallel universe when you pull the axle. The NWSL gear is the same Delrin material that they’ve used in their motor blocks from the late 80s when they started making the motor blocks. Dad’s got two locos still in service on his railroad that use those blocks, and they’ve held up for 20 years of pretty hard service. That’d be my first choice for repair. Another option would be to take some 3/8" ID brass tubing and cut two thin sleeves to put over the hub of the Bachmann gear to help keep it from splitting if it’s not split, or “clamp” it back together if it has. That and a little JB-Weld and you should be good to go, too. Personally, I’d switch the gear out with the NWSL gear, then do the repair on the broken gear to have as a spare “just in case” something were to happen to the NWSL gear.
Later,
K
Not cracked, but I dont want to take any chances. I like Kevin’s idea of sleeving it, I may have to do that (cheaper than $12!)
Bob,
Kevin’s answer is the same one I would give (given something short of my drive unit).
He’s done both.
Barry - BBT
Well I’ve had the NWSL for about six months just waiting for the gear to give up the ghost, and today she decided to stop dead in her tracks. So I guess its time to open it up. This will be the second time this gears been replaced. First time bachmann did and it lasted about a year. If I wasn’t unemployed right now one of barrys drives would be going in, all in due time I guess. Must have jinxed myself by reading this post before I decided to play with trains today.