where to find parts for brass engines or in general

Many 2 railers make their own parts. It’s part of the joy of the hobby. Not all, but many have fabrication skills, especially when it comes to working with raw brass. There are some vendors that supply lost wax cast parts, etc. Precision Scale Company is one such a vendor, as well as North West Shortline. As far as drivebelts for 3rd Rail, contact Scott at 3rd Rail inquiring about replacement parts. Weights can be made in house, fairly easily & cheap…..If older brass locomotives are your enjoyment now, scouring the popular shopping venues, and train shows for parts donors is another avenue to stock up on parts. Learning how to run a small bench top lathe will yield a lot of resources for making your own parts,…..I never buy a flywheel to save my soul anymore, I simply turn one from a chunk of scrap brass……..many very inexpensive small machines on the secondary market great for beginners…….never to old to learn either. Some community colleges have basic machining courses available to hone a skill set.

Pat

Precision scale co has cat on line.

O Scale America by Des Pains hobbies

[formerly by Bob Rzaza]

American O scaleby Bill Davis [ ltd supply]

Ebay.

Thanks for the replies.  I understand about the desire to make parts.  I just dont have that capability/machines yet.

So I appreciate the sites where I can potentially purchase things.  I will ask Sunset Models what they have as well.

The toothed belt rarely fails on Sunset/3rd Rail stuff, why do you feel the need to upgrade it?

@Robbin posted:

Thanks for the replies.  I understand about the desire to make parts.  I just dont have that capability/machines yet.

I make or improvise a lot of parts, but when it gets into drives and all, I lack the tools and the space for them.  I'd have to clear out a tool/machine station that I'd probably have need of later. Everything is not realistically possible.  Time is something less free and limited than many might understand.

So I appreciate the sites where I can potentially purchase things.  I will ask Sunset Models what they have as well.

Yes, Precision Scale, Des Plains, American O Scale, scavenging about on eBay can yield prizes, too, but also maybe: http://stevensonpreservationlines.com/ would be worth a visit.

Might hit the shows like Strasburg next month on the 10th, Indy show in Sept (last I heard still on...), Strasburg again in Oct., Cleveland show in Nov., etc.

"The toothed belt rarely fails on Sunset/3rd Rail stuff, why do you feel the need to upgrade it?"

Valid question.  I saw it was fairly thin compared to the belt on my other Sunset model and figured that rubber might wear out.  But it is not cracked and it works find so, not broke dont fix it I guess.

To your point MWB, yes time is kind of short.  I work three jobs, only one if full time though.  Ha ha.  Seriously, I paid $10 for a lionel flywheel and did not have to buy a lathe.  But it is really time that is short.  Someday I will happily divert from repairing/restoring old nineteenth century houses, 70's/80's vintage sailboats and time will free up more   Then I will augment the shop...

I just happen to have a 3rd rail E6 Atlantic boiler weight left over from a TMCC conversion I did.  Its yours if you want it.

Tony

@Robbin posted:

To your point MWB, yes time is kind of short.  I work three jobs, only one if full time though.  Ha ha.  Seriously, I paid $10 for a lionel flywheel and did not have to buy a lathe.  But it is really time that is short.  Someday I will happily divert from repairing/restoring old nineteenth century houses, 70's/80's vintage sailboats and time will free up more   Then I will augment the shop...

Playing the devil’s advocate, I don’t have to wait for a part when the machines get turned on. I need a flywheel, 20-30 minutes I have instant delivery right off the lathe, and no guessing whether it’s going to work or not, ……same with spacers, shims, or anything I need spun, milled, or fabricated,…..I can do a quick sketch and plot, and make a part 10 times faster than it can ever get here in the mail,…..If time isn’t on your side, what’s more instantaneous than a part at your fingertips?……Sure, cast detail parts I do outsource, but mechanical driveline parts are mere minutes away,…..don’t sell yourself short, …sounds like from your profession, you already have the basics, …..an inexpensive machine pays for itself in short order,…..

Pat

Robbin, welcome to 2 Rail! O Scale Kings has some good tips for getting started.

PD Hobby shop, (and/or Precision Scale, (O scale parts).   Both can be accessed with a Goggle Search.   Good luck with your search.

@Robbin posted:

To your point MWB, yes time is kind of short.  I work three jobs, only one if full time though.  Ha ha.  Seriously, I paid $10 for a lionel flywheel and did not have to buy a lathe.  But it is really time that is short.  Someday I will happily divert from repairing/restoring old nineteenth century houses, 70's/80's vintage sailboats and time will free up more   Then I will augment the shop...

No full time job here for 6+ years now, but there were 3 part-time ones - jettisoned 1 a few weeks ago & will probably extricate myself from the other 2 to finally actually retire for real.

I don't work on houses, but rather smaller projects like the walnut slipper rocker I need to rebuild and then upholster. Fortunately I only have $0.50 invested so far in that one,

Thank you all for the advice and encouragement!  Very much appreciated!

Tony I will email you off site!