Weaver RS3

The Weaver locos as built with single motor drives did not have enclosed tower.   They had sprocket and chain drives from the motor to a lower shaft.   There is a sprocket on the motor shaft and another below the frame hidden by the fuel tank on the drive shaft.   The ddrive shaft connects to gearboxes on each truck and has universals on each side.

P&D hobbies may still have some replacement frames.    They used to have a large stock of Original Weaver parts.   Try them.    I assume you figured out how to assemble the drive?   I saw your post on a nother forum but have not had time to look for a drawing.

Didn't the original center drive transmission version of the Weaver RS3 have that arrangement?  I think that one of mine does have that arrangement as oppose to the single end chain drive.

I have one lying around somewhere (inoperative -- split gears). The tower was at the rear of the chassis with a shaft running through the fuel tank at the bottom.

Thanks for the replys, if anyone could post a picture or email a pic of the drive & frame, I'm sue I could get this together

Mike

No plans for the drive on the paper that comes with the units.    I have a photo a photo of the drive up close.   this has been installed in an MTH RS27, but the layout is identical.   the brackets holding the sprocket attached with 2-56 screws from the top of the frame.  

this silly forum will not let me insert or attach a photo.   Email me if you want a copy of the photo.   my email is on my profile.

Jim,

this forum no longer allows the Internet Explorer browser to post photos. I had to add the Firefox browser to be able to. Firefox or Chrome will do fine.

BTW, NorthWest ShortLines offers an enclosed tower gearbox that was designed for the Weaver RS3 & FA2, in 2 gear ratios. Perhaps this is what the OP is thinking of?

Here are photos of what I have to work with

Mike

Part numbers on those, Chris?

Looks like the first gen drive that was in the RS3 like I have, but that motor with the flywheel is not original to the RS3.

Mike,

The photos help. It looks to me as though you have the basic parts. I'm not sure if I see enough opening in the center of the frame for the gear box. It should end up with roughly half above and the other half below the frame. Those flanges in the middle of the gear box are for mounting the box to the frame. You may have to open up the opening somewhat. Use Labelle gear oil for lubrication.

Chris, the latest online catalog from NWSL doesn't seem to show the gear box any more. As I recall, the chain drives took less power to operate than the center tower gear box, perhaps there was little market left after the chain drives came out.

Ben

Thanks to all for the help, especially to prrjim for the pictures, helps a lot

Mike P

PRR MAN,

Well it is interesting to know that this forum does not work with Internet Explorer.   However, Internet Explorer works with all my software, a lot of which I use for my contracting work using computers.   It also works with my operating system very well, and operating system on Wife's computer.   

And since it works especially for the contracting work, I am not going to mess with success.   It is kind of like a marching band and one guy looks down the line says "gee everyone it out of step except me".

mike

 Weaver offered 3 versions of the RS 3.  The drive you have is the first generation geared center tower version.  To accommodate 3 rail curves Weaver later changed the drive and produced both 2 and 3 rail RS-3's with a single chain sprocket reduction tower at one end, and a long prop shaft between the two powered trucks.  That is the version PRR Jim is talking about - but is not the drive you have.  The 3rd version used truck mounted vertical motors.  I prefer the version you have  as in my experience it is slightly smoother and quieter than the chain drive one, and will perform far better at slow speed switching than the vertical motor one.  The big issue with early Weaver drives was split axel and chain tower gears.  I believe yours were replaced with ones from NWSL as there is no sign of a hitch in the git-a-long when you spin the shafts.

Weaver no longer has replacement frames for the center tower version of the RS3, but you can modify the frame you have to handle the drive.  You will need to cut an opening in the plastic frame the same size as the tower housing so the tower can sit in the center of the frame lengthwise and be mounted to it with 2-56  machine screws.  the motor you have was upgraded with a flywheel for improved performance.  Due to the added length of the combined motor and flywheel you'll have to mount the motor further back from the gear tower than the Original Weaver setup.  Weaver used a pair of flat crescent shaped plastic saddles that sat in molded pockets in the frame.  they support the motor in line with the upper shaft and coupling on the gear tower. The  motor was held down in the saddles by a plastic wire tie that went around the motor and through 2 slots in the frame.  Using plastic strips you can cement new pockets the same size as the molded in originals  to accommodate the saddles in a location allowing space for the flywheel.    It's a project all right but one which will deliver smooth performance.  if I can help let me know.

Ed Rappe

the photo of what you have shows a gearbox that looks nearly identical to the NWSL product I referred to. makes me wonder if they copied or supplied the Weaver one.

I have never seen one with an enclosed gearbox.    They probably didn't produce for very long.   I have 3 of the early run PRR versions, and all of them had the sprockets in the center of the unit.    I have converted some end towers and I think later ones came with end towers.