WHAT’S ON THE WORKBENCH AT THE MOMENT

New victim, a TMCC JLC Challenger getting an upgrade.  Super-Chuffer, Chuff-Generator, and also the Cruise Commander M.  Of course, a smoke unit tune-up to give it decent smoke is also part of the upgrade. 

Almost done, just have to get the chip LED into the headlight and then solder all the wires to the Super-Chuffer and we're ready to hit the rails.

A few painting/decaling projects...

Tom

Just finished this: 

https://ogrforum.com/...locomotive-from-junk

Going to need a new project at some point, but I'm probably done with stuff till the fall. Weather finally got nice 😀

John, how did the Challenger project work out? All up and running?

Rod

Rod, the challenger is running fine.  The only issue I'm having is an age-old issue of how the smoke comes out the stack.  It's the same old story, the lousy funnel design of these makes most of the smoke come out one stack, or it comes out at an angle.  It's just a lousy design.

I wondered about that when I looked at the funnel in the picture. It's very similar to the Lionmaster Challenger, but without the S shaped lateral displacement segment. It's too bad, the JLC line of engines should really have had a better design. 

Rod

Yep, still mulling over what I can do about it.

My JLC Allegheny does not seem to have this issue, but I have no access to my pictures of the engine at the moment, to see what it's funnel actually looks like.

One solution is a fabricated brass collector-distributor like the one I made recently for the Lionmaster Challenger. It works great, but it is crazy time consuming to make. There is no way you could charge a customer enough to make it worthwhile IMO.

Another option is a 3d printed version like the one Bruk did for an LM Bigboy I think it was. But I dont know if he is prepared to do custom designs for sale to other people. And he would need some key dimensions off the current funnel to do the design.

just some thoughts,

Rod

I like the idea that Bruk had, that stack looked perfect.

GRJ,

How about putting a thread on the forum with video once you finish the JLC TMCC Challenger. Would love to see that SUPER-CHUFFER set to max kicking out the smoke

Erol 

Well, the smoke output is actually dependent on the tuning and/or type of smoke unit.  The Super-Chuffer is controlling the fan and doing some lighting enhancements, but it's not determining the volume of smoke.

Here's an upgrade that is using the MTH smoke unit and the Super-Chuffer.  This is what is possible.

Really nice work SIRT. That bus looks great. I am just a little worried that your passengers might get sunburnt! 

Really like the led lighting effects earlier of the turnpike toll station too. Very nicely done.

Rod

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Well, the smoke output is actually dependent on the tuning and/or type of smoke unit.  The Super-Chuffer is controlling the fan and doing some lighting enhancements, but it's not determining the volume of smoke.

Here's an upgrade that is using the MTH smoke unit and the Super-Chuffer.  This is what is possible.

Really nice work John - Love that smoke!

Thanks Sean, that's an MTH smoke unit I used for that upgrade.

@SIRT posted:

Fooling with lighting....

Gorgeous!

@Sean007 posted:

Really nice work John - Love that smoke!

Geez, that smoke is awesome. I'd love to have a steamer that smoked like that. 

Hey this is some great work everyone is displaying! 

Currently on the workbench i have a lionel VL Pennsylvania CC2S 6-11154 , in need of major repair. First photos are the Bulher can motor which needs to be replaced. I will keep updating this repair as i make progress. 

Thanks, Alex

That's interesting Alex, those motors and Pittmans are usually really reliable.  I've replaced a bunch of the junky Canon motors in newer Legacy, but only one Pittman and no Bulher motors.  I have a bunch of Pittman motors, could you use one of those for a replacement?

Hi Alex,

I didn’t realize Lionel used Buhler motors; they are well engineered German products. Depending upon the model of motor, average life expectancy can be from 600 to 4000 hours.

Can you tell if this just wore out near it’s expected lifespan or if it was shorted or otherwise mis-used?

Mack

Go with a Pittman Alex. Check the shaft diameter. If its 4mm it should be a fairly easy swap. Lots of 12V and 15V 9334s and 9344s on the bay.

Pete

John and Mack, 

They're very reliable motors, this engine has something funny going on. The DCDS motor driver is shot, and the  Buhler is burnt up inside. It even had parts floating around inside, so i will definitely have to replace it. 

John, thanks for the offer on the Pittman, customer 100 percent wants all original parts, the way it came from the factory.

Once i replace the motor and motor driver, I'm sure something else will be wrong. Seems someone had their hands inside this engine in the past . 

Alex

I see your beverage, Ben (bluelinc4) and raise you something that is German!  Whats on my workbench?  A bunch of RR signs that I removed

( and will reinstall) from my lil' barn so I could powerwash it yesterday in 100 degree heat!

Also....waiting on cooler temps...my dads old cash register that I'll finish renovating. Then some train mucking about type o' repair...

Alex, that does not look good. I ain't ever heard any motor being beat up like that other than my first car. Hopefully all the bits and such will cooperate and behave so you have an easy time.

I don't have one of these engines; I avoided them when they came out mainly because of cost but I vaguely remember that it turned out they were underpowered - irrespective of having a Buhler motor. Can't track down the old threads on this although CC2S definitely rings a bell in the pulling power issues department.  

Have an older weaver rs3 I'm trying to get running without much luck so far. Have to give it 10 volts just to move, runs very rough, and the drive shaft keeps coming off the pittman motor. It appears to have a Dallee board. Anybody have any tips? Would the shell fit on a lionel chassis? I have tried oiling rotating points and use some light grease on the gear tower with no improvement.

Not offered in diecast that I know of, on the bench is a Lehigh & Hudson River R1 4-8-2 ....this was made from a Lionel Mohawk, lots of leftover MTH parts, some scratch built parts, and some PSC parts....Tender WAS a MTH UP tender that was clearly too tall,..so first order of business was to split it length wise, and graft the two halves back together to get the correct tender height...then had to ditch all the Mohawks crosshead and guides in favor of laird cross heads, and better looking valve linkages courtesy of some spare MTH chassis I have laying around,...next a custom smoke box cover with correct lights, and a much better looking headlight/reflector/lens arrangement....and of course, a big ol’ fat Pittman....😁............Pat

Oops ...missed the one of it all together ...here’s the R1 sitting on the rails....this will get a full ERR compliment soon enough...here’s the link to the prototype.....https://www.railarchive.net/randomsteam/lhr10.htm             Pat

@Darrell the nylon that Weaver used in the drivetrains of those locos was not fully "cured," and it tended to shrink over time, usually splitting on the metal shaft.  You may have one or more of the following problems:

(1) The universal joint collar (sometimes called a "helmet") is split, and no longer has a good grip on the motor shaft.

(2) One or both of your chain sprockets is split, so the spacing between the teeth is no longer constant.  The motor is straining to overcome the increased resistance, and this causes the main drive shaft collar to spin on the motor shaft.

(3) One or more of your axle gears is split, which may cause increased or uneven friction down in the truck.  This causes inordinate resistance in the drivetrain, leading to slipping of the motor shaft.

All of the parts for this drivetrain are probably still available from P&D hobby shop.  Even Weaver brought out an improved version of this drivetrain before they were done with it.  The updated version had a flywheel on the motor, and white nylon sprockets that were less prone to cracking.  The flywheel makes a huge difference, and is a really worthwhile upgrade no matter what.  It can be a little tricky to press one on yourself.

Your options are to order a bunch of new parts from P&D, or find a slightly newer Weaver (the black box mk2 version of this drivetrain) as a parts donor.  These remain the best-looking RS3's in 3-rail, and will run very smoothly if you have the patience to tweak them and sort them out.  But they're not durable or great pullers, not a lot of room to add sound, etc.  Since this was made, MTH, Atlas, and Lionel have also offered the Alco RS with speed control, sound, operating couplers, etc.  Unless this loco has a ton of sentimental value, I might just save my money for a newer model.  My $.02.

You guys are way above my pay grade.

I am just removing my Lionel Southern Pacific  AC-12 from its box. 6-38071.  After last years taxes were done, it was an expensive purchase and has sat in its box for over a year. Purchased used with very little run time on it, the first operating session revealed why it had so little run time. It runs like cra... um... poorly - jerking and herking, loping along.

Hope I can figure it out.

Thanks @Ted S, gives me things to check. No chain in this loco, the tower has 3 gears leading to the truck gear. I think I will disconnect the drive shaft to the rear truck and see if that narrows down the problem area.

 Well just found the problem, the drive tower is cracked almost all the way through. So it either binds the gears or makes them not mesh at all depending on which way you are driving them.

@Darrell  wow your original photo wasn't super-clear, I see it now.  If yours has gears instead of a chain then it was either modded by a prior owner, or it's a rare early variant (and not too successful.)

If the gear tower is the only thing that's cracked, you're lucky.  Check out this link: https://www.finescale360.com/p...?variant=43786730894

This aftermarket gear tower should be a "drop in" replacement for your existing one.  The large lower sprocket also increases the gear ratio for excellent slow-speed performance.  I would still add a flywheel.  You can get one from Northwest Short Line (NWSL), from MTH parts, etc.  If you can't find a flywheel with a bored recess that accommodates the U-joint collar, then substitute a dual-shaft motor and put the flywheel on the opposite shaft.  It will work just as well.  You might need to file a little flat spot(s) onto the motor shaft for the set screw to grip.

 EDIT: After looking more closely, I don't think the replacement tower kit includes the upper shaft.  You may or may not be able to fit the upper sprocket on yours in place of the gear.  If it doesn't fit on yours, you'll have to order a new upper shaft from P&D.  You'll have to order some chain from P&D, or directly from the company that makes it, Serv-o-link.  You can also get dual-shaft Pittman motors from P&D.  Good luck!

Thanks for all the links @Ted S ! This is turning out to be some project! The loco was a custom run for the Gadsden Pacific Division toy train museum in Arizona and it did come in a black box. I'm thinking the drive tower was modified at some point to enhance  low speed operation. I have been slowly collecting the yearly museum cars which are mostly lionel custom run ore cars so wanted the matching loco to pull them with.

Work bench cleared off, dropped pool level, all lawn furniture put away and just waiting for our hurricane. Don

Harmonyards, I am totally impressed and speechless!! I knew this level of talent existed but had never seen it before. WOW!!!!

Thanks WinstonB, ....I stumbled across the L&HR looking for a road name to use a for a Decapod I’m putting together....( only to find out they didn’t have any ).........got totally immersed in the L&HR......and had to make an R1 ...figured a Mohawk would be a good candidate for the job....my buddy Lou (Lou1985) looked at the prototype with me, and said it looked like a squashed down big boy tender behind that locomotive....that’s why I had to section that tender shell.....everything else was fairly simple.....I think I wound up taking 11/32” out of the center ....or close to it......Pat

Pat

You are a master craftsman; good to see your recent work.

Just sort of messing around today.

1: Like most of us, my hearing isn't what it used to be: age and been in too many rock n roll bands, I guess. Anyway, I find that the "bell" and "whistle" sounds are at just the right/wrong frequency to be harsh and annoying. I have turned them down as low as I can and still have them work, but it's not pleasant. I wanted to dampen the sound, so I got out some of these:

...just the right size. I simply removed the body, loosened the speaker, tucked one up under said speaker and re-assembled. Still works, but is much more pleasing to these ears. 

2: The very small (I would think S scale) couplers on the front of my TMCC steamers has always troubled me. I just got some Max Gray couplers so I took one and modified it (original on right):

... to more or less match the Lionel (on left):

Before:

After:

Even though it looks large, the Max Gray is (obviously) "correct" O scale. Now to correct my other locos...

Not much I know, but these little projects were fun and easy...and they worked!  

Mark in Oregon

@harmonyards posted:

Oops ...missed the one of it all together ...here’s the R1 sitting on the rails....this will get a full ERR compliment soon enough...here’s the link to the prototype.....https://www.railarchive.net/randomsteam/lhr10.htm             Pat

Wow Pat, and I thought I did something special shoving a smoke unit inside my SS Niagara. Lots of good work here.

I'm still trying to figure out if these two brass looking prods are where I would hook up coil couplers on this Liontech system. I was sent a diagram of a later version of TMCC. this Is like a year before that. this engine is 1995 and the diagram I got matches my 1996 NYC 18563. I do not see 

Okay, I have found B it is next to the blue box. But nothing I can read is beyond that going towards the right. Now the two red wires from the board are front light and rear light. So I'm guessing the two metal posts/pins pointing up that kinda brass color in the middle between the headlights and that blue box. does anybody know for sure. I can't see  d,c,e,f, 

Bill, I'm pretty sure yours has an LCRU in it, the original TMCC board. The newer version LCRU2 has a 6 pin molex connector on the end of the board with the heat sinks, just to make the distinction. The wires to your motor, pickup rollers and ground are all hard-wired to the board. The Front/Rear couplers, the headlight, strobe, and the prog/run switch all connect to the pins as shown below

I think you said yours had a strobe, so it would be this one:

George

@Strummer......thanks Mark, ,....I wasn’t sure what you were up to with the cotton pads....for a second I thought you were going to pack your ears with them!..😆😆😆😆....thanks for the comments!.

@Engineer-Joe.....thanks buddy, ....your work is beautiful too...I’m always in awe of you guys....namely, you, Pete, John, Alex ( who started this thread) Bob2,.. and a whole host of others.......I’m small potatoes...😉

Pat