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Just finished this job, and thought i would share it . It's quite interesting.

The complaint was coal load not moving most of the time we all think its electronic, and that's what i thought too. But this time it was mechanical, this coal load moves up and down with a strong wire tied to the rubber coal load at one end, and tied to a spinning shaft at the other end. The end that's tied to the rubber coal load is the weakest point and that's where the issue usually is, As you will see in my photos below the loop that the wire is fed through rips and then we lose the connection. Two choices here either order a new rubber coal load or repair the original one , i decided to repair it.

 That's all i did was slip the wire back into the rubber coal load loop held it with a pliers and applied Gorilla glue, once the glue dried i applied hot glue for extra strength. It's actually stronger than the rubber loop was. Please understand the entire tender has to be dismantled to get to this mechanism, so it's quite involved.

Thanks, Alex

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Last edited by Alex M
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Mine has been replaced by Lionel once already.  Havn't used it since it came back except to test it once.  I wondered if this was the cause.  It would of been better to mold a wire in the loop and into the coal load to reinforce it so that it does break like this.  I do wonder what the life testing results for this part were.

Hi Dave thanks , all is well

Hi Laz , i had to spin the shaft to the fill position to gain the length i needed, so it would reach.

Chuck, the wire on the right is just excess left from the knot they tie at the factory, it's just the wire on the left that goes around the shaft.

CW Burfle, the wire has a brass eyelet for reinforcement, but unfortunately it still rips through the rubber

GRJ , yep once opened up it's a simple fix, it's just that everything has to come apart to get there lol

Mike, anytime you want to bring it to me just let me know.

Dave , the repair isn't to difficult, its just that the entire tender has to be dismantled. But the design of this engine and tender makes for a nice smooth job.

Dan, I'll post a video sometime tomorrow.

Hi Marty E , thanks my friend

Hi Marty, yes i totally agree , nicely designed engine to work on

DanR , Thanks if you ever need any assistance just let me know

Thanks to all ,

Alex

@Alex M posted:

Just finished this job, and thought i would share it . It's quite interesting.

The complaint was coal load not moving most of the time we all think its electronic, and that's what i thought too. But this time it was mechanical, this coal load moves up and down with a strong wire tied to the rubber coal load at one end, and tied to a spinning shaft at the other end. The end that's tied to the rubber coal load is the weakest point and that's where the issue usually is, As you will see in my photos below the loop that the wire is fed through rips and then we lose the connection. Two choices here either order a new rubber coal load or repair the original one , i decided to repair it.

That's all i did was slip the wire back into the rubber coal load loop held it with a pliers and applied Gorilla glue, once the glue dried i applied hot glue for extra strength. It's actually stronger than the rubber loop was. Please understand the entire tender has to be dismantled to get to this mechanism, so it's quite involved.

Thanks, Alex

IMG_6841IMG_6842IMG_6844IMG_6845IMG_6846

Alex, excellent post.  I just discovered my Big Boy's depleting coal feature does not work. I've reset the engine a few times...the whistle smoke works better... :-)  but it did not fix the coal feature.  I suspect I have the same problem you fixed.  I would like to try to fix it myself, but, frankly I would feel much better if there was a video of the whole process.  I searched YouTube...no luck. Not sure if it's my search skills, or simply that none exist.  Are you aware of such a video?  I've taken apart my VL Hudson and repaired the pantographs on my Acela using your most excellent advice and guidance but I'm unsure about this repair.  One tip you gave about taking off the shell of the Hudson was that small rod, not easily apparent in the process.  So, is/are there any tricky things like that in dissembling this tender?  Thanks, and as always, any advice is welcome.

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