More great brass buys

[malletman]

Last week I picked up two basket case engines, both are Hallmark/Dong Jin models, one is a Frisco 2-8-2, was missing the tender but we found it tonight. Got it for $25 missing the tender and the valve gear was messed up. I repaired the valve motion, put a Sagami motor in it and it runs smooth and quiet. The tender that we found tonight has a broken truck, I will give him a little bit more money now that we found the tender since its from a friends estate and I dont feel right not giving a bit more now that its complete. Second up is a ICRR 2-8-0 that needs all new drivers. All the cast metal centers are cracking and swelling from pot metal disease. The model is perfect other wise. I will get someone to try to fit new drivers in it, along with a can motor and NWSL gear box. Last up and only recently found among all the other collection stuff was an early run PFM/United C3 flywheel shay. That one cost me $225, but its complete and just needs serviced. None of them have thier boxes, but that doesnt bother me. Pics coming soon. Mike

 

[UP2CSX]

Mike, it sounds like you've really been getting some lucky buys. I wonder it you could just replace the drivers on the 2-8-0 with ones from a Bachmann 2-8-0? Finding anything else might be tough and many of the originals are gone just because of the pot metal issues. The Bachmann drivers look good so the only problem would be fitting them on the existing axles. Have you thought about the idea of making it a hybrid, with a brass shell and Bachmann mechanicals? That might be the cheapest and easiest route to go.

 

[malletman]

You couldnt give me that belt drive bachman pile of crap. I have seen way to many with split cogged pulleys for the belt and parts from bachmann is sketchy at best. The ailing engine is going to a rebuilder for driver replacement. Greenway offers lots of different drivers that have a coined brass center. The engine needs a totaly new gear box set up anyway, it was a very poor runner from the factory. When she comes back she will run smooth and quiet. Will I invest more than its worth, probably, but the engine comes from a good friends estate so there is some sentimental value to it. And I dont want it to just be a shelf piece. Yes, its a great time around here to be buying brass, loads of great deals out there. Dont be affraid to make offers at shows, most of these guys are struggling enough sales wise to be very negitoable on prices.

 

[UP2CSX]

Miek, not sure what bad experiences you've had with Bachmann steam, but my 2-8-0 has been running like a Swiss watch for two years. Maybe I got lucky but I've got five Bachmann Spectrum locomotives and I wouldn't describe any of them as crap.

 

[malletman]

Glad yours are running well, I wont touch anything bachmann steam wise, had the shay, wasnt impressed and they like to split pinion gears on the line shaft, climax has the same basic issue. Thier ten wheelers are nice looking, but feel delicate when held. Each to his own, I would rather save up till I can afford the brass versions. Once I get done tuning my PFM shays, they run better and will outpull a Bachmann hands down. As long as we are having fun and are satisfied with what we have, its all good. Mike

 

[bnsf971]

Glad yours are running well, I wont touch anything bachmann steam wise, had the shay, wasnt impressed and they like to split pinion gears on the line shaft, climax has the same basic issue. Thier ten wheelers are nice looking, but feel delicate when held. Each to his own, I would rather save up till I can afford the brass versions. Once I get done tuning my PFM shays, they run better and will outpull a Bachmann hands down. As long as we are having fun and are satisfied with what we have, its all good. Mike

As long as person "A" likes what they have, that's all that matters.
I went to my LHS this morning, and asked them to demonstrate one of the new Bachmann N scale 44 tonners. It ran great--for 5 feet. Then one of the gears started making that wonderful "clack-clack-clack" broken gear noise I know so well.
So much for "new and improved".

 

[malletman]

I just amazes me that after all these years, manufactures still have problems with the delrin or other plastic gears shrinking and splitting. They have know about this issue since the early days of brass diesels. One would think they would allow the plastic to "age" enough that shrinkage would not happen once in the model. Look at the countless Athearn blue box diesels out there, you dont hear of wide instances of split axles gears in those, and its the same design the Chinese copied for the Proto 2000 line up when it was started. It has been told to me by several people that are in the "loop" that the Chinese will slowly degrade quality till people start to complain, then bring it up just a touch above that level, all in the name of making more $$$. When asked about this practice, they say its nothing personal, just business. Unfortunatly till the Chinese cost of living increases to the point that models continue to be produced there, we are stuck with the same problems over and over again. If the gears and motor in my early 60's vintage PFM brass engine havent died by now, chances are they never will. If I want DCC and sound, a new motor and decoder are just a phone call away. Same thing for a new gear box from NWSL if the one in the model is to noisy. But then again, I dont run sound, dont care to run sound. Between my background tapes I play and my own imagination, my trains sound real in my mind, they whistle at every grade crossing or a quick toot when passing kids playing in the back yard. For those that like there Bachmann, BLI or MTH stuff, more power to ya, just not for me.