Dick: A few weeks ago I posted some info on the tendency for the gearbox covers on my ALCO Models locomotives to snag on uneven rail and short out.
While I have filed down the offending railheads, I think a better solution would be to machine off the bottom of the gearbox covers to at least the depth of the cast-in lettering on the bottom. I haven't tried it yet, other "priorities", etc., but this should increase the clearance enough to minimize, if not eliminate, the possibility of this happening, especially when guests are present. My criteria is that if "Ol' Herman", the old rattlesnake in residence at the Mooar Yard engine house, can fit between the bottom of the gearbox cover and the top of the rail, there is sufficient clearance to prevent the gearbox from contacting the rail. Bob Nicholson _______________________________________ --- In [email protected], Richard Karnes <rnk2...@...> wrote: > > Gents -- > > I have heeded all the talk about the old Alco Models brass road switchers > with > their decaying zamac gear boxes, and how Brother Werre figured out how to > replace the Alco chassis with one from North Yard. I believe I heard of > Brother > Loizeaux doing something with his too. > > So I was fully prepared to find a disaster when I took my Alco RS-3 apart > earlier today. But I had to -- I needed another diesel road switcher, and > this > fellow had been sitting idle for maybe 15 years. At the very least it would > need a decoder and a thorough grease job. > > Well, I am happy to report that was ALL it needed! That, plus a cleanout of > the > gearboxes. The original grease had hardened to the consistency of used > chewing > gum. But that was the only dirty part of the job. Clean-up, grease and oil, > the decoder, and then reattaching the truck sideframes and supestructure. > That's all! The loco runs like a top (so far -- It's only been a couple of > hours). > > Tomorrow I am hosting a mini-op session for two other guys (and myself). The > old RS-3 will do duty as the switcher assigned to the Cornwall Bridge > passenger > station, cutting some sleepers out of through trains and setting them out to > be > taken by a gas-electric to Putnam Hills on the NY&NE line, and vice versa. > > Dick Karnes > > PS -- Yes, this was my day job today. I work full time for my sweetie, the > NYW&B, and a few magazines. Life is good. > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
