Weaver M1 in 2 rail problems

Time for a round trip to Joe Foehrkolb's shop.

Speaking of PRR stuff, I was just thinking - someday I shall unload my good Mikado (USH, painted, decalled, and weathered).  Do you think it might be a candidate for a trade - A PRR  J1 needing cosmetic repair?  I am just thinking about it - I need to add a box P5 and one more Icken O1a to my collection and this thought popped up.

Oops.  I may have become a SPF!

I don't 'have a WEaver M1a, but A friend had one over here once.   It ran OK on my layout.    I can't imagine it would run without the insulated drivers even on the blind ones.

 I was shocked about it so I double and then triple checked it. The blind drivers tires are a dead short to any of the drivers on the other side!

I have to think it was an error.

I measured them quickly with a set of calipers and they are slightly smaller than the regular tires with flanges.

Joe, is it possible you have an engine that was originally 3 rail?

Bob2, I have a nice Sunset P5a Boxcab for your SPF dreams.

PRR Man posted:

Joe, is it possible you have an engine that was originally 3 rail?

 

Bob2, I have a nice Sunset P5a Boxcab for your SPF dreams.

Sure! It might explain why. I'd have to wonder who did it half way though? 

I decided to ask here for someone else to check theirs.

It sure seems like there was a screw-up someplace in its life!    It is too bad that Weaver is gone.    If it were their problem, they were good at correcting it.

Make sure it is not bridged insulation before mailing to Joe.

Can you see the interface between the tire and the wheel?  Look with a good magnifier.  The fix ought to be easy - tire comes off (maybe with heat),  wheel gets a light cut in a lathe, tire goes back on over insulating paper.  Joe uses "fish paper" - I just use whatever is close by.

Well at least I got the upgrade done. Now to see if it shorts out the layout. I'm not sure I wish to try?

it's not a partial short, the meter reads a dead short at those 2 tires to the rims and the chassis. The engine ran fine on level track so far. I'm tempted to try a coating on the tires for insulation.

I think it would be better to send the chassis to Joe and have him insulate those drivers on one side and then level the wheels so all 8 make contact.    I think it would run better because of better contact and also pull better.

I would normally agree. This engine has severe damage and is an extra. The front end was smashed and the rear corner of the tender. I also found a pipe station is broke off and several things came loose.

 It wasn't really worth the effort. I had a spare MTH 3 rail long haul tender that could have been used with a PS2 board inside. It has the wireless tether and that would have had to be replaced, or the rest of the matching parts would have had to been ordered for it.

 I have another MTH 2 rail Texas engine that I need to send off to Joe for tire work. Maybe in time if I like this enough, I'll spend the money on it? For now, I'd just run her for fun. The MTH command board and the smoke unit are worth more than the engine. I don't believe they are in danger as the short is at the wheels.

 I get bored and like to tinker. I should have bought a lathe but I know when to quit! After several days working on this thing I am mad at myself for not fully checking it out first. Before I apply power, I go over an install to make sure things are right. That's when I found the tire shorting issue.

I may have to reconsider sending this out. Seems like she doesn't pull too well. Fun to watch the drivers slip a bit though. (the diesel is off line!)

I tried a cell phone video. Maybe I should have turned the phone sideways?