Need Help Fixing a Postwar #342 Culvert Loader

DS TexasOGR Forum Member

At a recent local train show, I bought a second PW 342 Culvert Loader for parts in hopes of getting enough to get one to work. It was inexpensive because they said they could not get it to run properly. That was okay since it was for parts.

I took the cover off to see what was wrong and found the motor to be totally different from what I expected. It does not have a vibrating coil and string but a continuous motor with a small belt like a "round rubber band". I have attached two pictures to show what I found. Is this a Lionel motor that has been adapted for use on this 342 Loader? The bottom edge on the top side does not look like it matches the bottom side plate. I don't know why they added the red wire because the wire to the left inside the woven insulation will also drive the motor. The motor works but the belt appears to slip.I don't see any part numbers on the parts that show.

Can someone identify this motor? I will reassemble the accessory to see whether the conveyor works the way it should.

Thanks for your help.

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1/25/185:35 PM

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AdriaticOGR Forum Member

It is a adaption of a lionel frame, but you need more photos; brighter light if you can.... of; the other side, wire connections etc.

There isn't enough visual and text info to tell what's going on here electrically. With the cobbling skill, nothing can be assumed.

1/25/185:52 PM

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AdriaticOGR Forum Member

A rubber "O ring", or tapeplayer/ turntable drive belt is what you need. Look at the pulleys. If the groove is a U a avoid it, but if both have a V try a square belt, they grip better as time stretches it. An o ring is pretty much universal and easy to find though

1/25/186:11 PM

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ADCX RobOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

DS Texas posted:
Can someone identify this motor?

It appears to a 8040-100 steam motor which has a double wound field(which explains why the wire to the left inside the woven insulation will also drive the motor).

1/25/186:58 PM

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Chuck SartorOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Somebody was really cleaver there adapting the MPC 2-4-2 motor that Rob identified. It looks like the belt is oily, maybe that's why it is slipping.

1/25/188:38 PM

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ADCX RobOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Yes, very ingenious.

1/25/189:08 PM

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AdriaticOGR Forum Member

I was coming back with Sound of Steam era but Rob nailed it as usual.

Is there a pully on the armature shaft or is it still teeth?

Grind a groove?

1/26/182:20 PM

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DS TexasOGR Forum Member

I will try to answer some of the questions. The drive pulley is a 342-111 and the drive gear is a 342-109 from the original accessory. The armature chassis with the pivot stud and other parts to connect from there to the conveyor assembly are original. The motor is bolted on as can be seen in the pictures below.

The belt is round in cross section. I will clean the pulley and the belt as well as roughening the grove on the drive pulley. I will let you know if this helps.

Thanks

Dennis