New Life for a Thomas Industries Engine

David NissenOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I bought these Thomas Industries trains in February 1994. The Locomotive on the left was unlike any other Thomas train that I had ever seen. It has more brass trim and the stack and domes are made from turned brass. I don't know if it came from the factory like this or was modified by a skilled modeler.

Before I purchased these trains they had fallen off of a shelf and were damaged during the 1994 6.7 Northridge Earthquake. One had a broken cowcatcher and a damaged front truck and the other was missing the bell and the headlight had been pushed back bending the boiler and the motor did not run.

A couple of years later I found a parts engine that had the damaged parts and the two trains were repaired. This is what was left of the parts engine after I had removed the cow catcher, bell, and motor.

A couple of months ago I ran across what was left of the parts engine. The bad motor was repaired and a test run on the chassis was successful. I have been 3D printing replacement parts for trains for about three years and decided that I could 3D print the missing parts and bring this engine back to life.This is the parts engine with the new 3D printed parts.

The 3D printed parts and a purchased bell were assembled for a fit test. The test run looked good but the 3D printed front truck needs a little weight. The Thomas engines tend to be front heavy and are found with window weights in the cab for balance. with the lighter 3D printed cow catcher and smoke stack the traction is improved.

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8/14/243:35 PM

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hold*onOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Thomas Industries trains have always caught my attention. I have an extra tender(if I can find it). Let me know if you can use it. Great work with making the parts!!!!!!

8/14/245:44 PM

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David NissenOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

The engine runs well but can't pull any cars without a tender. Until I can find an original tender, I decided to try to 3D print a replacement. The tender was printed in three sections and assembled with Thomas trucks. I am now able to pull three passenger cars. The engine still needs some trim added and some paint. The project continues.

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9/7/242:01 PM

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JohnbeereOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I also have one of these in need of restoration - fortunately, it has all of its parts, but needs to be stripped and repainted. It's covered in a strange, thick layer of some sort of lacquer.

I'd say your locomotive on the left is definitely someone's modifications - looks like they did a good job.

One important thing to watch out for when fixing one of these is that the pilot truck spring is in good shape, and that the bracket holding the truck on is free to spin, but not wobble up and down - that way the truck's suspension works properly and the load is distributed to the drive wheels correctly - that may be why they seem front heavy to you.