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I opened up my most recent upgrade project to find this little present.  This is part of a 3rd Rail Q2 tender.

Of course, what you're looking at is one of the support rails that attaches the tender shell to the frame.  As seen in the pictures below, it's not hard to see why it fell off, the soldering was, shall we say, substandard!  Two of the spots were barely soldered, and the 3rd was apparently just a wave of the iron or torch over the metal in hopes that would impress it!  These models were obviously made to sit on the shelf, shame on you if you actually try to run them!

Of course, the question comes up, how to reattach this while doing minimal damage.  I doubt I can resolder it as I'm sure that would screw up the paint, and I certainly don't want to have to repaint!  I'm thinking some sort of epoxy, and of course my old standby of JB-Weld is always a possibility.

Am I missing some option?  Is there a better way to attach this without affecting the paint?

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I thought that might be the case. I suspect a rough surface would help, all I can say is good luck and I hope it works. 

My standard line to the boss at work when something had a problem after I had gone home or moved on to something else was "It was working when we left". Learned that from an old timer when I was just getting started. Certainly glad I am now retired!!  This might come in handy for warranty on this one! 

Can't tell much about it, and I don't have the loco, but the epoxy does seem to be the best way to go. Soldering is always more desirable, theoretically, but in the real world, dealing with a painted loco, and considering most peoples' soldering skill levels (mine are of the "electrical stuff" level, where looks are hidden under shrink tubing...), it's always an adventure.

Epoxy is not as strong as solder - but - it will do the same job if you can get decent contact area.

3rd Rail - have a few; 'ya never know what's coming out of the box...I tend to avoid. But their PRR streamlined Q1 cousin of the Q2 does talk to me.  

Last edited by D500

The part pictured is the inside rail that was soldered to the side of the tender. It was an inside part, so paint isn't a factor, I don't care what it looks like.

It was soldered to the side of the tender, the other side is, of course, painted.  I didn't want to risk enough heat to solder, so I passed on that option.  I scored both mating surfaces with my Dremel to give the adhesive a better bonding surface.  I then mixed up some JB-Weld and spread it along the entire length.  The whole thing is clamped with boards to old it true and in contact all the way.  I suspect it should be stronger than the other side with the three little solder spots.  I'm not impressed with how they put this one together.

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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