DON’T KNOW WHY THIS POSTED TWICE and why the title is wrong. Maybe administrator can remove the post below for us and fix title, if possible . Thanks.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/metii7i61ne4ynj/s-l1600-9.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ue22xm9vsh9564d/s-l1600-10.jpg?dl=0
Hi folks,
Sorry for the lack of photos but due to photo posting errors on this site with a smartphone, we have to link the files.
Ken here again with Imagination Station Kids On Track Model Railroad And Train Safety Program. I have repaired just about every G scale locomotive on the market in one fashion or another for over 40 years, with the exception of a few. The reason I bring this up is that we are to receive a donation via UPS in a few days of a Keystone Christmas locomotive in need of repair.
Now before everyone jumps the gun about how bad Keystone trains are, let me say this.
First of all, I know of at least 8 restaurants and businesses who have run Keystone and Bachmann locomotives on their layouts professionally for 30-plus years with regular maintenance and without any problems. However, they only run three to four cars behind the engines.
Second,
Most parts on Keystone locomotives, I have found to be high quality parts placed on more expensive Bachmann anniversary locomotives, such as metal side rods with high detail, brass handrails, brass bells, brass steam generators, pipes, sanders, interior detail, Etc. Another feature on many Buddy L and Keystone locomotives is there sound system which far exceeds the measly chuff-chuff of Bachman 4-6-0’s. This particular locomotive even has smoke/steam simulation out of the piston area. Since the frame, wheel sets, bell, couplers, lift bar assemblies, cab, side rods, piston assemblies, cowcatchers, tender and many other detail parts match that of Bachmann Trains, I have to assume that these locomotives are built under a contract with Bachmann parts by Kaddar in China. I have also heard this is true in other blogs and forums, although I cannot fully verify it.
Here is two quotes,
That’s what I thought too but after I looked closely at the body, frame, side rods, wherls, cab etc. I was convinced that Kaddar (China) had built these in the same factory and with the same parts as Bachmann. So I called Bachmann and they verified that, yes, it was built under their contract for J Loyd Int. and most parts were theirs.
Just kinda the information I received.
The anniversary locomotives from Bachmann have matching parts.
Hope that helps a little.
The Keystone and Buddy L G scale trains were manufactured by J Lloyd International. I have no way of knowing that Bachmann made them for J Loyd.
Imagination Station Kids On Track/I have been told that the side rod on this locomotive is broken and I am under the assumption that Bachman anniversary locomotive side rods from Bachmann will work on this locomotive. I would like to know if anyone has any knowledge if this will work and also what may have caused this Keystone locomotive side rod to break. Is it possible that somehow it got out of quarter? I know asking these questions prematurely may not get me anywhere because no one has seen the locomotive yet but I thought that maybe someone has had some experience with these locomotives that may help us prepare for its repair
As you can see, it’s just too pretty of an engine that kids would enjoy running to throw out or not fix, so, I thought we would try to fix this engine the best way we could and use it to only to pull three or four cars under rigorous maintenance and it should last for many years to come, if we can get parts and find the problem.
Any thoughts or ideas for repair or operation would be appreciated!
(positive or negative)
Thank you for your help
Ken c/o
Imagination Station Kids On Track Model Railroad And Train Safety Program
E. Helena, Montana
