Train Wreck, Help!

JB Weld will work on some things, but actual two-part epoxy will hold better. Let it cure really well before you sand and repaint it.

I've had very good results with JB.

I agree with Dave with JB Weld, as I have repaired many problems with it.  I have used it on broken marker lights, etc..  I can suggest another trick to use, which is using old plastic hotel key cards, and similar cards as a reinforcement alone with the JB Weld.  I myself, have fashioned steps for the 1688E, taking a tip from a friend.  It takes a little creativity, Xacto knives, super glue, and JB, and you would be surprised at how you can repair your type of damage.  Think outside the box, and get creative.

I have repaired broken cowcatchers, and have bumped them hard on a track bumper and they don't budge.

JB Weld for metal.  Sorry for your misfortune.

Here is how you can use the Plastic key card stock, to do a repair.  It takes a little work with cutting and shaping, but it will work.  If you have a stress crack along a surface, that can be accessed from inside the shell, you can "sister" a piece of this, inside, to reinforce where the crack is.  JB Weld is sandable, after it has cured.  There are also different versions that are a slow cure, typically takes a good 24 hours to cure, plus a faster cure type.  You can see along the bottom, forward of steps, where it has been added to fill in a problem area.  Just take your time.

Pics would probably help

Thanks for all the advice.  I attempted the first round of JB Weld surgery.  My plan is to try to put all the tiny pieces that broke off together, in stages.  It might take a few days to build everything properly.  I'll keep you all posted.

MBA posted:

So I was running my Lionel 1689 set last night and it went off the track, onto my concrete basement floor.  The metal is extremely brittle and it shattered the cab roof and windows off.  Any suggestions for an adhesive that will help repair the damage?  I'd like to put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

Is this how it really happened or were you practicing your Gomez Addams?

MoonMan,

   I do believe his middle name is Gomez!

PCRR/Dave

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

MoonMan,

   I do believe his middle name is Gomez!

PCRR/Dave

I guess Wikipedia can be wrong, but it appears his name is Gomez Addams. Also, he didn't use DCS to operate his trains and explosives.

"You rang?"

MBA posted:

Thanks for all the advice.  I attempted the first round of JB Weld surgery.  My plan is to try to put all the tiny pieces that broke off together, in stages.  It might take a few days to build everything properly.  I'll keep you all posted.

I would say you're on the right track.  I was successful in rebuilding a steamer pilot that broke into multiple pieces in shipment.  Think of it as a 3-dimensional jigsaw puzzle! 

I have rebuilt several Dorfan engine shells by doing this so just take you time.

Well I was able to find most of the pieces and I used JB weld to fuse everything back together.  I was a bit bummed that I ruined an original train that survived the Great Depression and  WWII only to get destroyed on my basement floor.  However, a friend of mine said not to worry because at least I am having fun enjoying the train.  Anyways, since I have ruined the original integrity of the model, I'm playing around with the idea of changing up the paint scheme.  I did a mock-up in Photoshop of a 1689 engine using a Hiawatha paint scheme.  What do you think?   

why not?

I agree with Steamer, why not?

The body design won't allow the prototypical waist belt scheme-so why not this one? get the red detail stripe in there somewhere.

I think  you can get a repo cab for that engine.

Well it's been a long winter and a lot of trial and error (mostly error).  I repaired the cab that was shattered into about 20 pieces and I finally got the engine pained.  It was my first attempt at painting an engine and it turned out less than perfect.  I tried to bake the paint at a very low temperature (based on some suggestions) but the engine shell had a very strange reaction.  A small piece of the metal cracked and broke off.  I was worried that I might destroy the whole thing, so I decided that I wouldn't try to bake the paint.  I stripped the engine and started all over again.  This time, when I added the orange, the paint apparently came from a bad batch and it didn't coat correctly.  I stripped the engine again, called my paint guy and he sent out a new can of orange.  I got everything painted and I expect to have everything buttoned up and running again soon.  I swear this engine is cursed or something. 

lotta work, but it's looking good.