From remembering several decades ago, the driveline goes from the motor to the rear truck, then through a couple of really fragile ear connectors to the front truck. Those little connectors are a point of failure, and I'm not sure if replacements are available.Sunday mornings project is breathing life back into this Walthers SW1. Clearly it has been well used but then stored for a very long time.
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I managed to get it apart easily enough, there are a couple of handrails missing which will need replacing, the bell has gone walkies and the horn is bent.
The chassis took quite a bit of persuasion to get going but it is running now:
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The wheels and probably the gears all need a hard clean however.
That's good. I was going to suggest vinyl tubing as a replacement if needed.There doesn't seem to be any major deterioration of the moving parts bit it is one of those that employs clear plastic tubing as the drive shaft connection.
Those old iron ring motors could suck power out of a transformer faster than my ex-wife could suck the happiness out of a room...I may change out the motor though as the current draw is mind boggling high!
Ah one of my other hobbies! I don't restore but I do have a small collection, many mint boxed, some well loved, and a few in between. The variations in them are fascinating.The FM Trainmaster now takes a back seat until parts for the lights and number boards arrive. There is one other project supposedly being delivered later today but I am off to work soon do it won't be looked at until tomorrow now.
I do have another cheap battered Matchbox Jeep Gladiator to restore though which will be my weekend project:
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It just pops off (like the old Athearn Blue Box GP's for example).Does the dynamic brake part just pop off? Or did the previous owner cut it to make an access hole?
The lights are definitely Details West cast metal parts, used many of them over the years.Thanks! Those lights must also be add ons. My Black Widow doesn't have all that stuff. Looks cool!
