Valve Gear

Are these new models that you are fabricating from scratch, or old war horses that you are trying to revive?

If they are old kit built models, and you can figure out the manufacturer's name, there should be some stashes of parts in the hands of fellow enthusiasts.

I was able to score the running gear for an All Nation Pacific on eBay a few years back. The mechanism I had was so worn out that a trip to the machinist made it worse! Once I get a few bugs ironed out it will have a new mechanism and the funky old patina on the body that comes from years of dust, operation, handling, touch ups, and so on.

Best to figure out how to make it yourself.  K&S sells .032x1/8 brass, although you have to order it.  You need a #63 drill and some small brass pins, which are difficult to find, but can be made from .032 brass wire.

If doing Walshaerts gear, the eccentrics and links can be had from PSC.  The rest you drill and file yourself - very easy with a new quality file.

John,

Do you have the side rods, main rods crossheads, crosshead guides, crosshead guide and valve gear hangers.  What type of steam locos are these (wheel arrangement)?

Driver size and spacing will effect the length of eccentric rods and radius rods so a one size fits all approach does not work with valve gear components.  Some valve gear can be found at the Chicago O meet at the Bill Davis tables.  Most of this is left over from Overland Models parts inventory from their imported models.

Babbitt Railway Supply (Old All Nation) sold a valve gear kit that included a lot of useful parts for a Walscherts (Spelling) valve gear but since BTS purchased the line the AN parts have not been offered.

As Bob said PSC has some parts and you will probably have to make some at your workbench.

Joe Foehrkolb

John,

To be honest, way too many variables.

Would it be possible to post photos of what you have?  With photos we may be able to ID the locos and provide more feedback to you.

Jay

Wowak installed working valve gear on my Lionel "O" Gauge Reading T-1 (6-18006; 1989). Everything in front of the reverse yoke was missing. He used various parts, including Lionel 700E parts. Maybe he will see this and reply. Or send him an email (address in profile).

Come to think of it, this topic came up a few years ago. Wowak was working on another Lionel T-1. I read about it, corresponded with him, and sent him my T-1. Now she looks great - a big improvement!

Everyone puts the radius rod in the middle of the reverse yoke. That is the neutral position. A radius rod could be moved down a bit to be prototypical. But it would have to be fastened there or supported like the real ones (in front or in back of the reverse yoke). Connection(s) would have to be loose enough to allow the reverse yoke to rock back and forth and the radius rod to move with it.

I vaguely recall reading about this project and even about someone who installed a mechanism to lift both radius rods to the upper part of the reverse yoke when the locomotive backed up. It's possible but it requires precision.

Good luck! Keep us posted!

Thanks for you responses.  I will take pix and put them on this Post.  Bob2 thank you for the DIY.  I have the appropriate tools  and enjoy the construction project.  I am certain there will many throwaways.  Also, I am working on my October schedule and want to get to the Chicago O Scale meet.  Will any of you attending?  I'd like to meet you.

John

John,

Chicago "March Meet" is in early April (I thinks the 1st)  next year 2016.  The Cleveland O Meet is Saturday October 31 this year.  I plan to be at these shows.

Joe Foehrkolb

And of course, the Indianapolis meet is this Friday and Saturday.

THANKS.  I was confused.  Cannot make Cleveland.  Have Chicago next year on my calendar.