As the title says, is it possible to give a reproduction 260E Lionel steam engine the Chugger mechanism that the original had, or have any repro 260E's had this incorporated into them?
I ask this since I know the 260E (both original first run and reproductions) had no room for an air whistle in the tender (especially since the original first run was made before it was even invented). Plus, I would like a different sounding tinplate engine to run that sounds old.
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Easy part is finding the chugger mechanism. Hard part is finding the switch.
The chuggers show up on E-Bay all the time. The 260E one is a little different with the mounting tab bent, but a standard gauge chugger can be made to work. Its the little switch that mounted in the steam chest that is impossible to find as I believe they only came on the 260E, and not many are/were scrapped. Neither part is being reproduced.
It depends on how the reproductions are made. Are the mounting holes on the motor frame and steam chest there and tapped? They can be drilled and tapped if not, but you would need an original to see exactly where to drill. The drive rod piston can be easily drilled for the switch.
Gandy
Gandy,
Dave, You are so right about not finding the parts now-a-days. I picked up a like new 260e at Stout's Auctions earlier this year. It was listed as, "Like New C-8+ in original shipper with all factory paperwork". It is a thing of true beauty. Except the former owner removed the entire chugger assembly (both pieces). I notified Stout's of their error. I've yet to return anything, I'm not starting now. Besides the chuggers were a tad annoying.
Mikado,
Dave, Pappy is giving you good advice, most all the 260E's you will find today, even the ones they say they are in perfect condition will be missing the chugger unit, most people were the same as Pappy and thought they were annoying and removed them. The one in my original Black 260E is missing also. Actually I would not reinstall one in my 260E, it makes enough other noise as it is.
PCRR/Dave
That is odd that they would remove the chugged and switch because it was annoying as Lionel installed a cut off switch in the cab. It's more likely that the chugger coil was fried because the loco was equipped with an Ives e-unit and the loco was left with power on while in neutral and the chugger switch in the live position.
Gandy
I realize that chugger is the actual name of the thing, but doesn't it sound more like a clapper, or those castanets on that mechanical bartender monkey toy?
The only chugger I heard was incredibly annoying after a very short time.
Gandy,
A lot of the on/off switches had problems and many of the guys would just remove everything. As RoyBoy indicated many people hated the sound, it was more of a clatter than any thing else. No doubt however that many of the units burnt up!
PCRR/Dave
Yes, the sound is likened to a duck getting poked while having the flu.
Gandy
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