Lost a screw on my Berkshire :(

How about carefully removing the same screw from the other side of the loco to help locate a replacement? You could send Lionel service a picture and/or measurements of that one or take it with you to a hardware store to find a match. 

Which set was it included? A stand alone? There's a parts diagram for it.

Post a picture of the side with the missing screw. Someone here will certainly have it or know where you get the hardware.

A magnet will help with the search.  You would be surprise what you will find.  Usually available at auto parts stores with a telescoping handle.  I've had the speakers (magnet) on some of my diesels pick-up metal from the track.

Here is the results of a search on the Lionel Website.

Berkshire.     Lionel--- Customer Services----Replacement Parts.  A Click on the underlined phrase should link to an exploded parts detail for the following Berkshire, there are others.  

(6101389001) Boston & Albany LEGACY Scale 2-8-4 A-1 Berkshire #1404 LOCOMOTIVE ONLY

From the parts detail listed. This is an EXAMPLE, it may not be the correct part.

Mike, give us a little more info.  Scale Berk or 736 type, modern era or postwar, cab #?  That will go a long way in getting help from a forum member.

Since the engine bound up while running most likely it is along the track. I would search the track are slowly and thoroughly. If it is a modern engine describing the location to Lionel should get you the correct part. For old trains,  At the large train shows there are vendors at the large train shows that sell parts.

My local ACE hardware has a whole isle of bolts and fasteners, including a vast selection of these miniture machine screws.

Good luck, hope you find it still on the track.

I lost one of the rod screws on my Legacy T1 Duplex, and I did indeed find it along the track on the other side of the layout.  The locomotive finally stuck the rod into the table and pole-vaulted off the tracks! 

Lowe's sells a two pack of tools....a GOOD magnet on a telescoping handle and a 'grabber' with the plunger on one end and little metal fingers on the other. I got mine for less than $5 and it should be in everyone's tool box.

 Did we find the lost screw????

That schematic is nice, but I cant tell which screw I need.  The magnet was a great idea and I actually had one in my tool box.  I dragged the magnet around the track, table, and floor but no luck.  It has to be there somewhere but it's doubtful it'll turn up.

A couple of other places to look.   Bottom of the tender/ the speaker magnet may have already pick it from the track.  There is also a lot of magnetism generated by the can motor in the loco.  It could be stuck there.  

Start looking for the screw where the loco went off the rails and work backwards from there. And you only have to look on that side of the track. Unless you have a ginormous layout, you should be able to find it.

Many Lionel side rod screws are aluminum and nickel plated brass, so a magnet won't be of much help. If you can't find it, let me know what the engine number on the cab is, and which driver from the front it is, I most likely have a replacement I can send you.

Chuck

What berkshire is this? Scale, semi scale?

Do you have the box it came in? If so whats the item number on the box?

Lionel has most parts for locomotive made in the last 13 or 14 years, but you need to give more info.

 If you can post a picture of the loco and the place where the screw is missing, that would be helpful as well.

I tried the magnet again but just cant locate that little sucker.  I checked the bottom of the tender, and it wasn't stuck there.  I'm thinking when it fell out it must have shot off across the room somewhere although I dont recall hearing that happen.  The loco I have is the Great Northern Berkshire, the one with the vision steam whistle effect.  A look on the Lionel website shows the set it came in has a number of 6-31799 so maybe that's a stock number?  I dont really know what to call the different drive rods and mechanisms but I'll try to explain where it is ...on each side in the very front where the drive rods start, there's a frame piece where one rod pumps in and out...it rides on a small metal bar that's bolted to the frame.  This "guide rod" is held in place by a little stud, and a screw right next to it.  The tiny screw that holds the guide rod on is the one that fell out.  I may take a picture and call Lionel, and offer to e-mail the picture so we can be looking at it together.  I'll buy a couple of them!!

Here is your parts diagram for the Berkshire Jr. #3102

Pick out the rod and screw location, Chuck Sartor offered one.

Try the purple Loctite on the screws when you put it back together.  After losing one of my T1 Duplex, I put it on all the drive rod screws now.

Good suggestion

I use tacky wax on the O gauge train fasteners. and Loctite on my Marlin lever actions.

Is it # 32 in the diagram?

Awesome!  Yes it is #32 in the diagram. 

email me your mailing address and I'll send one your way.

Chuck

www.only3rail.com

Thankyou Chuck, thats awesome!

I have never seen purple Loctite. I use clear finger nail polish. Every train I have seen assembled with Loctite will not come apart unless it is heated.

Red Loctite requires heating to be "undone" and should only be used as necessary.

Blue Loctite (and I'm assuming Purple) will not require heating.

Loctite Purple

Thanks again Chuck, very kind of you!  I just received the envelope so I'll dig into it tonight!  thanks again.  Mike