Large Scale Central

Ten wheeler drive rods binding

General Discussion
#1

Evening everyone, I need some help!! I was running my Christmas train with PRR 9660 Ten Wheeler on point tonight, and all of a sudden the engine stopped but I could hear the motor turning. After pulling it and replacing it with another ten wheeler, I found that a screw underneath an outer drive rod had come loose and the drive rod was jammed into it. Here’s a picture (sorry it’s not the best but best I could do at the moment).

The screw is directly under the outermost drive rod. So I turned the screw a few times and the drive rod unjammed from it, and I thought I should ask; should that screw be screwed in tight? Can it be too tight to keep another drive rod from operating correctly?? michael

#2

Be careful you don’t over tighten it because it will snap off (don’t ask me how I know). Snug it up though, but don’t ‘gorilla’ it.

#3

I’ve had this happen on my Connie and a 2-6-6-2. I didn’t dare use thread lock in case I need to un-do it for repair in the future but on the Connie I used a very tiny piece of teflon thread tape. Don’t know if it made a difference but it hasn’t backed out since! Like Joe, I just “snugged it up”!

#4

Thanks so much gents; that’s what I’ll do, I’ll try snugging it first, if it comes out again then I’ll add the teflon tape.

#5

So in other news; ran the Christmas train for about four or so hours tonight, between the two engines; ran like a dream once we got the track cleaned up and put some conductolube on the track at a few places!

I’m so excited about the next phase, adding the passing siding along the north side of the house toward the back yard, and the siding for the gas plant. Have sidings in this “town” for the lumber mill and the rice depot, buildings will come in time!

Had three families stop and get out so the kids could see the train and watch it run around the loop! Was a good “first weekend night” of train running!

mt

#6

Michael,
if the motor was turning and the rods are stationary then you have more than a loose mount screw issue. The screw you refer to should be tight as the crank directly underneath it is ‘keyed’ to the crankpin shaft and the screw holds it firmly in position. If the rods are not ‘rigged/positioned’ correctly then the valve operating rods will bind putting strain on the motor drive.

       If a version 5 Anniversary drive, then with the right hand side (looking from the rear) mid-drive wheel (unflanged wheel) crankpin at six o'clock, the small valve gear crank should be pointing upwards and slightly rearwards (towards the cab) of the crankpin centre line.