More oldies projects
- Thread starter Ray Marinaccio
- Start date
Cool projects, Ray! If you don't know who made those trucks, I suspect nobody made 'em 
BTW: by restore, do you mean to return them to their original condition or best looking/running condition?
BTW: by restore, do you mean to return them to their original condition or best looking/running condition?
Jon,
I'd like to restore them to as close to original as possible. I put KDs on the Pullman, other than that I want to use only parts that were available when the kit was offered.
On at least one of the Yard Hogs I plan to use all MDC original parts , including the lift type knuckle couplers like the ones on the Globe box car.
I'd like to find some of the Kemtron upgrade parts for the other one.
I'd like to restore them to as close to original as possible. I put KDs on the Pullman, other than that I want to use only parts that were available when the kit was offered.
On at least one of the Yard Hogs I plan to use all MDC original parts , including the lift type knuckle couplers like the ones on the Globe box car.
I'd like to find some of the Kemtron upgrade parts for the other one.
Nice stuff you found at that show, Ray! I only wish we had such shows here in Europe, too. (Yes, we also have shows, but you hardly ever find American rolling stock here in Europa. 
)
I remember that I bought a pair of Buckeye six-wheel trucks from WALTHERS back in the '70s - sold under that label. The basic construction seems identical to the type of construction of your trucks. Of course the cast truck frames are a little different in shape, since they represent ALCOs. The frames were white metal castings, and the trucks had brass wheels like yours. Perhaps this info could help you a little bit???
Concerning electric motors: When you get such an old kit, do you use the original motor? (Like the open frame motor in the fourth pic.) Or do you replace them with new ones? Could it be that the magnets lose their strength after 20-30 years?
The reason why I ask is, that I also have a few old Roundhouse kits. When I tried to test-run such a motor it only ran very slow. Or could it be plain dirt in the bearings which slows the motor down? (I admit, I didn't clean the motor before connecting it to the power pack. Just took it out of the kit box where it had lain for 20+ years...
ops: )
Ron
)I remember that I bought a pair of Buckeye six-wheel trucks from WALTHERS back in the '70s - sold under that label. The basic construction seems identical to the type of construction of your trucks. Of course the cast truck frames are a little different in shape, since they represent ALCOs. The frames were white metal castings, and the trucks had brass wheels like yours. Perhaps this info could help you a little bit???
Concerning electric motors: When you get such an old kit, do you use the original motor? (Like the open frame motor in the fourth pic.) Or do you replace them with new ones? Could it be that the magnets lose their strength after 20-30 years?
The reason why I ask is, that I also have a few old Roundhouse kits. When I tried to test-run such a motor it only ran very slow. Or could it be plain dirt in the bearings which slows the motor down? (I admit, I didn't clean the motor before connecting it to the power pack. Just took it out of the kit box where it had lain for 20+ years...
ops: )Ron
Hi Ron,
If the original motors can be reconditioned I'll use them. I have run into some weak magnets in some Athearn Hi-f motors. Usually cleaning the bearings, commutator and brushes and readjusting the spring tension on the brushes will bring an old motor back to life. (unless the armature is toasted) I have tried to rewind armatures ,but with little success.
If the original motors can be reconditioned I'll use them. I have run into some weak magnets in some Athearn Hi-f motors. Usually cleaning the bearings, commutator and brushes and readjusting the spring tension on the brushes will bring an old motor back to life. (unless the armature is toasted) I have tried to rewind armatures ,but with little success.