This may be the wrong group to post this question to however I was
hoping that someone familiar with my problem may read this and be able
to offer some advice.
I have a 646 Hudson steam engine that I received with the train set
that my Dad bought me in 1953. The set comes out now just briefly for
the holidays,
(space is limited).
This year while cleaning and lubricating my equipment I noticed that
there is a gear on the left side of the engine between the most
forward and center of two of the six large wheels in the center of the
engine that seems to wobble on the post it rides on. The post looks
like its ok. It just seems to be the hole in the gear that has opened
up considerably.
This gear, about the size of a quarter was just "placed" on this
shaft, however with the large wheels in place it is captive and cannot
be removed from the shaft without removing these two of the six wheels
in the center of the engine. The wheels seem to have been pressed on
to their shafts and I don't want to force anything. The engine still
runs well, however this gear wobbles as it idles between the two
wheels.
Luckily, the teeth on the gear as well as the teeth on the wheels are
not chewed yet, but if this situation persists I'm sure they will be.
I'm certain that this can only get worse if neglected.
I have always maintained and even rebuilt many pieces of my set over
the years but I've never disassembled an engine drive before. Can
anyone more familiar with this kind of dissasembly please advise me as
to how to go about removing these driving wheels without damaging the
engine, the axles or motor assembly? Or if there is a more appropriate
newsgroup I might present
this question to I would very much appreciate being advised of that as
well. I've tried rec.models.railroad but never received an answer.
Thanks very much, Lenny

Reply Reply to author

wrote in message
...
This may be the wrong group to post this question to however I was
hoping that someone familiar with my problem may read this and be able
to offer some advice.
I have a 646 Hudson steam engine that I received with the train set
that my Dad bought me in 1953. The set comes out now just briefly for
the holidays,
(space is limited).
This year while cleaning and lubricating my equipment I noticed that
there is a gear on the left side of the engine between the most
forward and center of two of the six large wheels in the center of the
engine that seems to wobble on the post it rides on. The post looks
like its ok. It just seems to be the hole in the gear that has opened
up considerably.
This gear, about the size of a quarter was just "placed" on this
shaft, however with the large wheels in place it is captive and cannot
be removed from the shaft without removing these two of the six wheels
in the center of the engine. The wheels seem to have been pressed on
to their shafts and I don't want to force anything. The engine still
runs well, however this gear wobbles as it idles between the two
wheels.
Luckily, the teeth on the gear as well as the teeth on the wheels are
not chewed yet, but if this situation persists I'm sure they will be.
I'm certain that this can only get worse if neglected.
I have always maintained and even rebuilt many pieces of my set over
the years but I've never disassembled an engine drive before. Can
anyone more familiar with this kind of dissasembly please advise me as
to how to go about removing these driving wheels without damaging the
engine, the axles or motor assembly? Or if there is a more appropriate
newsgroup I might present
this question to I would very much appreciate being advised of that as
well. I've tried rec.models.railroad but never received an answer.
Thanks very much, Lenny

Reply Reply to author


If it has antique value then leave alone.

If not, ie wanting working order , what are the metals of the gear/shafts,
brass, bronze , steel ?
Just my halfpennyworth, know specific knowledge
I would guess the wheels are interference fit to the shafts. Of course paint
job would go but have you tried freezer spray on the shaft and hot air gun
on the wheels?


--
Diverse Devices, Southampton, England
electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on
http://diverse.4mg.com/index.htm

a few close-up pics would help, uploaded to a site somewhere.

On Jan 17, 2:07*pm, "N_Cook" wrote:
a few close-up pics would help, uploaded to a site somewhere.

It is antique but thats not important to me. I just want it running
properly. I don't have picture capability. Lenny.

wrote:
This may be the wrong group to post this question to however I was
hoping that someone familiar with my problem may read this and be able
to offer some advice.
I have a 646 Hudson steam engine that I received with the train set
that my Dad bought me in 1953. The set comes out now just briefly for
the holidays,
(space is limited).
This year while cleaning and lubricating my equipment I noticed that
there is a gear on the left side of the engine between the most
forward and center of two of the six large wheels in the center of the
engine that seems to wobble on the post it rides on. The post looks
like its ok. It just seems to be the hole in the gear that has opened
up considerably.
This gear, about the size of a quarter was just "placed" on this
shaft, however with the large wheels in place it is captive and cannot
be removed from the shaft without removing these two of the six wheels
in the center of the engine. The wheels seem to have been pressed on
to their shafts and I don't want to force anything. The engine still
runs well, however this gear wobbles as it idles between the two
wheels.
Luckily, the teeth on the gear as well as the teeth on the wheels are
not chewed yet, but if this situation persists I'm sure they will be.
I'm certain that this can only get worse if neglected.
I have always maintained and even rebuilt many pieces of my set over
the years but I've never disassembled an engine drive before. Can
anyone more familiar with this kind of dissasembly please advise me as
to how to go about removing these driving wheels without damaging the
engine, the axles or motor assembly? Or if there is a more appropriate
newsgroup I might present
this question to I would very much appreciate being advised of that as
well. I've tried rec.models.railroad but never received an answer.
Thanks very much, Lenny

Reply Reply to author


I too have a 646 that my father bought for me back in the early 50's. I
dragged it out of the closet and checked it out.
Mine also wobbles, so maybe it is normal. Or it could be that this is
the way these things wear out. As far as I can see, there is no
abnormal wear, so I would leave it alone unless you get advice from an
expert (obviously not me!)

CV

On 1/17/2010 12:37 PM, wrote:
This may be the wrong group to post this question to however I was
hoping that someone familiar with my problem may read this and be able
to offer some advice.
I have a 646 Hudson steam engine that I received with the train set
that my Dad bought me in 1953. The set comes out now just briefly for
the holidays,
(space is limited).
This year while cleaning and lubricating my equipment I noticed that
there is a gear on the left side of the engine between the most
forward and center of two of the six large wheels in the center of the
engine that seems to wobble on the post it rides on. The post looks
like its ok. It just seems to be the hole in the gear that has opened
up considerably.
This gear, about the size of a quarter was just "placed" on this
shaft, however with the large wheels in place it is captive and cannot
be removed from the shaft without removing these two of the six wheels
in the center of the engine. The wheels seem to have been pressed on
to their shafts and I don't want to force anything. The engine still
runs well, however this gear wobbles as it idles between the two
wheels.
Luckily, the teeth on the gear as well as the teeth on the wheels are
not chewed yet, but if this situation persists I'm sure they will be.
I'm certain that this can only get worse if neglected.
I have always maintained and even rebuilt many pieces of my set over
the years but I've never disassembled an engine drive before. Can
anyone more familiar with this kind of dissasembly please advise me as
to how to go about removing these driving wheels without damaging the
engine, the axles or motor assembly? Or if there is a more appropriate
newsgroup I might present
this question to I would very much appreciate being advised of that as
well. I've tried rec.models.railroad but never received an answer.
Thanks very much, Lenny

Reply Reply to author


Good Morning,

I'm no expert on "O" gauge trains, but you can go to:

http://www.traincollectors.org/

which is the Train Collectors Association. I believe that their
discussion forum (a link you'll find on the opening page) is open to the
public. I think that you are referring to the idler gear, and yes, the
wheels are pressed onto the axles.

Regards,
Tim Schwartz
Bristol Electronics

P.S. I think it neat that you still have your childhood toy and enjoy it!

wrote in message
...
On Jan 17, 2:07 pm, "N_Cook" wrote:
a few close-up pics would help, uploaded to a site somewhere.

It is antique but thats not important to me. I just want it running
properly. I don't have picture capability. Lenny.


The wheels may be cast metal so no brute force to them

On 18/01/2010 12:33, N_Cook wrote:
wrote in message
...
On Jan 17, 2:07 pm, wrote:
a few close-up pics would help, uploaded to a site somewhere.

It is antique but thats not important to me. I just want it running
properly. I don't have picture capability. Lenny.


The wheels may be cast metal so no brute force to them



They may be 'Mazak' and in imminent danger of crumbling to dust, so no
severe heating and cooling. I have several vintage O gauge locos and
other items which show cracking ad crystalisation in the castings.
I once left a pre-war Dinky Toys racing car on a window sill in direct
sunlight, a few days later it was just a pile of fragments except for
the axles!



Ron(UK)

On Jan 18, 7:52*am, Ron wrote:
On 18/01/2010 12:33, N_Cook wrote:

*wrote in message
....
On Jan 17, 2:07 pm, *wrote:
a few close-up pics would help, uploaded to a site somewhere.

It is antique but thats not important to me. I just want it running
properly. I don't have picture capability. Lenny.

The wheels may be cast metal so no brute force to them

They may be 'Mazak' and in imminent danger of crumbling to dust, so no
severe heating and cooling. I have several vintage O gauge locos and
other items which show cracking ad crystalisation in the castings.
I once left a pre-war Dinky Toys racing car on a window sill in direct
sunlight, a few days later it was just a pile of fragments except for
the axles!

Ron(UK)

I never heard of "Mazak".Is this the equivalent of what I've known as
"white metal"? It is non ferrous, absolute crap,very brittle and it
will crumble if stressed. Lenny

On 18/01/2010 16:01, wrote:
On Jan 18, 7:52 am, wrote:
On 18/01/2010 12:33, N_Cook wrote:

wrote in message
...
On Jan 17, 2:07 pm, wrote:
a few close-up pics would help, uploaded to a site somewhere.

It is antique but thats not important to me. I just want it running
properly. I don't have picture capability. Lenny.

The wheels may be cast metal so no brute force to them

They may be 'Mazak' and in imminent danger of crumbling to dust, so no
severe heating and cooling. I have several vintage O gauge locos and
other items which show cracking ad crystalisation in the castings.
I once left a pre-war Dinky Toys racing car on a window sill in direct
sunlight, a few days later it was just a pile of fragments except for
the axles!

Ron(UK)

I never heard of "Mazak".Is this the equivalent of what I've known as
"white metal"? It is non ferrous, absolute crap,very brittle and it
will crumble if stressed. Lenny

It`s an aluminium/zinc alloy, also called Zamak in the US, typically
the material which mass produced diecast model cars are/were made. Early
mixes lacked some kind of stabilising agent which led to it decomposing
with age (crumbling and cracking with shiny crystals appearing in the
cracks)

It`s not 'white metal' in that white metal is generally much softer and
has a very low melting point - some varieties actually below the boiling
point of water. Woods Metal is one such alloy I understand, generally
used for casting war gaming figures etc. It`s also used in engine bearings.

Ron(UK)

Yes, the terms vary, and the alloys change, but white metal - pot metal -
Mazak - Zamac - (other) names generally refer to various alloys consisting
primarily of zinc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pot_metal
http://www.pmsdiecasting.co.uk/zn-section/design/

The fine detail that can be reproduced/attained by casting small parts in
pot metal is one of it's better attributes.

There are some parts that are made poorly with pot metal, particularly when
the cross-sectional dimension is very thin.
Some of the poorer grades/alloys deteriorate badly with age.

The better pot metal grades are somewhat similar to cast aluminum, but cast
aluminum is more expensive both in raw material and casting costs.

Many grades of newer technology, reinforced synthetics are much more durable
than many presently used grades of pot metal.

As far as making small parts, pot metal casting is a relatively easy
process, which can essentially be done in a typical kitchen, or at a
workbench.

--
Cheers,
WB
..............


wrote in message
...

I never heard of "Mazak".Is this the equivalent of what I've known as
"white metal"? It is non ferrous, absolute crap,very brittle and it
will crumble if stressed. Lenny

On Jan 17, 9:37*am, "
wrote:
This may be the wrong group to post this question to however I was
hoping that someone familiar with my problem may read this and be able
to offer some advice.
I have a 646 Hudson steam engine that I received with the train set
*that my Dad bought me in 1953. The set comes out now just briefly for
the holidays,
(space is limited).
This year while cleaning and lubricating my equipment I noticed that
there is a gear on the left side of the engine between the most
forward and center of two of the six large wheels in the center of the
engine that seems to wobble on the post it rides on. The post looks
like its ok. It just seems to be the hole in the gear that has opened
up considerably.
This gear, about the size of a quarter was just "placed" on this
shaft, however with the large wheels in place it is captive and cannot
be removed from the shaft without removing these two of the six wheels
in the center of the engine. The wheels seem to have been pressed on
to their shafts and I don't want to force anything. The engine still
runs well, however this gear wobbles as it idles between the two
wheels.
Luckily, the teeth on the gear as well as the teeth on the wheels are
not chewed yet, but if this situation persists I'm sure they will be.
I'm certain that this can only get worse if neglected.
I have always maintained and even rebuilt many pieces of my set over
the years but I've never disassembled an engine drive before. Can
anyone more familiar with this kind of dissasembly please advise me as
to how to go about removing these driving wheels without damaging the
engine, the axles or motor assembly? Or if there is a more appropriate
newsgroup I might present
this question to I would very much appreciate being advised of that as
well. I've tried rec.models.railroad but never received an answer.
Thanks very much, Lenny

* * Reply * *Reply to author

Gosh, it's been since the latter '50s since I have worked on those.
IIRC, the motor armature gear engages the top of that idler and the
idler feeds the drive to the two drive wheel gears. I seem to recall
that the gear on the armature was steel and the rest are die-cast. As
others have mentioned, it is likely that the die cast parts are into
the decomposition stage, so pressing the two drivers off the axles is
fraught with them shattering. Assuming you could get the drivers off
safely, and the idler is not in the final stage of decomposition, it
could be bored out on a lathe and a brass/bronze bearing inseted. The
drive wheels are then pressed back on the axles making sure to line up
the splines to ensure that the 'quartering' is correct [angular
position of the connecting rod pins].
I would suggest you go to the mentioned web site to see if new parts
are available [wheels and idler] before attempting any repairs.

Neil S.

On Jan 18, 12:10*pm, nesesu wrote:
On Jan 17, 9:37*am, "





wrote:
This may be the wrong group to post this question to however I was
hoping that someone familiar with my problem may read this and be able
to offer some advice.
I have a 646 Hudson steam engine that I received with the train set
*that my Dad bought me in 1953. The set comes out now just briefly for
the holidays,
(space is limited).
This year while cleaning and lubricating my equipment I noticed that
there is a gear on the left side of the engine between the most
forward and center of two of the six large wheels in the center of the
engine that seems to wobble on the post it rides on. The post looks
like its ok. It just seems to be the hole in the gear that has opened
up considerably.
This gear, about the size of a quarter was just "placed" on this
shaft, however with the large wheels in place it is captive and cannot
be removed from the shaft without removing these two of the six wheels
in the center of the engine. The wheels seem to have been pressed on
to their shafts and I don't want to force anything. The engine still
runs well, however this gear wobbles as it idles between the two
wheels.
Luckily, the teeth on the gear as well as the teeth on the wheels are
not chewed yet, but if this situation persists I'm sure they will be.
I'm certain that this can only get worse if neglected.
I have always maintained and even rebuilt many pieces of my set over
the years but I've never disassembled an engine drive before. Can
anyone more familiar with this kind of dissasembly please advise me as
to how to go about removing these driving wheels without damaging the
engine, the axles or motor assembly? Or if there is a more appropriate
newsgroup I might present
this question to I would very much appreciate being advised of that as
well. I've tried rec.models.railroad but never received an answer.
Thanks very much, Lenny

* * Reply * *Reply to author

Gosh, it's been since the latter '50s since I have worked on those.
IIRC, the motor armature gear engages the top of that idler and the
idler feeds the drive to the two drive wheel gears. I seem to recall
that the gear on the armature was steel and the rest are die-cast. As
others have mentioned, it is likely that the die cast parts are into
the decomposition stage, so pressing the two drivers off the axles is
fraught with them shattering. Assuming you could get the drivers off
safely, and the idler is not in the final stage of decomposition, it
could be bored out on a lathe and a brass/bronze bearing inseted. The
drive wheels are then pressed back on the axles making sure to line up
the splines to ensure that the 'quartering' is correct [angular
position of the connecting rod pins].
I would suggest you go to the mentioned web site to see if new parts
are available [wheels and idler] before attempting any repairs.

Neil S.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Having my friend at the machine shop oversize the worn hole in the
gear and installing a bronze bushing was my intention, provided of
course I could get the gear removed from the assembly. However after
reading all the postings I'm starting to feel that maybe attempting
disassembly of the motor even by an experienced Lionel repair person
would likely be foolhardy.
I've really been looking at this thing from various angles and another
option has come to light. This gear wobbles because the hole has
become somewhat eccentric. It also is apparently worn in thickness as
it moves in and out slightly on the shaft. The wheels of course keep
it from coming off the shaft. If some type of spacer could be
installed behind the gear, (which would take up the end play and move
it closer to the inside of the driving wheels thereby engaging the
gears more fully), the hole of course would still be eccentric but
this idler gear would run close against the insides of the wheels and
it would run true. I tried to simulate this by holding a small
screwdriver behind the gear and running the wheels The gear stayed in
place and ran true. This is not the way I would really like to do this
repair but given the situation perhaps I should consider it. I was
thinking of say a "C" clip washer pushed onto the shaft behind the
gear that could accomplish this. Hey I'm 64. It doesn't have to last a
lifetime. Just maybe another 25 years, (if I'm lucky). Lenny

On Jan 18, 9:41*pm, "
wrote:
On Jan 18, 12:10*pm, nesesu wrote:





On Jan 17, 9:37*am, "

wrote:
This may be the wrong group to post this question to however I was
hoping that someone familiar with my problem may read this and be able
to offer some advice.
I have a 646 Hudson steam engine that I received with the train set
*that my Dad bought me in 1953. The set comes out now just briefly for
the holidays,
(space is limited).
This year while cleaning and lubricating my equipment I noticed that
there is a gear on the left side of the engine between the most
forward and center of two of the six large wheels in the center of the
engine that seems to wobble on the post it rides on. The post looks
like its ok. It just seems to be the hole in the gear that has opened
up considerably.
This gear, about the size of a quarter was just "placed" on this
shaft, however with the large wheels in place it is captive and cannot
be removed from the shaft without removing these two of the six wheels
in the center of the engine. The wheels seem to have been pressed on
to their shafts and I don't want to force anything. The engine still
runs well, however this gear wobbles as it idles between the two
wheels.
Luckily, the teeth on the gear as well as the teeth on the wheels are
not chewed yet, but if this situation persists I'm sure they will be.
I'm certain that this can only get worse if neglected.
I have always maintained and even rebuilt many pieces of my set over
the years but I've never disassembled an engine drive before. Can
anyone more familiar with this kind of dissasembly please advise me as
to how to go about removing these driving wheels without damaging the
engine, the axles or motor assembly? Or if there is a more appropriate
newsgroup I might present
this question to I would very much appreciate being advised of that as
well. I've tried rec.models.railroad but never received an answer.
Thanks very much, Lenny

* * Reply * *Reply to author

Gosh, it's been since the latter '50s since I have worked on those.
IIRC, the motor armature gear engages the top of that idler and the
idler feeds the drive to the two drive wheel gears. I seem to recall
that the gear on the armature was steel and the rest are die-cast. As
others have mentioned, it is likely that the die cast parts are into
the decomposition stage, so pressing the two drivers off the axles is
fraught with them shattering. Assuming you could get the drivers off
safely, and the idler is not in the final stage of decomposition, it
could be bored out on a lathe and a brass/bronze bearing inseted. The
drive wheels are then pressed back on the axles making sure to line up
the splines to ensure that the 'quartering' is correct [angular
position of the connecting rod pins].
I would suggest you go to the mentioned web site to see if new parts
are available [wheels and idler] before attempting any repairs.

Neil S.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Having my friend at the machine shop oversize the worn hole in the
gear and installing a bronze bushing was my intention, provided of
course I could get the gear removed from the assembly. However after
reading all the postings I'm starting to feel that maybe attempting
disassembly of the motor even by an experienced Lionel repair person
would likely be foolhardy.
I've really been looking at this thing from various angles and another
option has come to light. This gear wobbles because the hole has
become somewhat eccentric. It also is apparently worn in thickness as
it moves in and out slightly on the shaft. The wheels of course keep
it from coming off the shaft. If some type of spacer could be
installed behind the gear, (which would take up the end play and move
it closer to the inside of the driving wheels thereby engaging the
gears more fully), the hole of course would still be eccentric but
this idler gear would run close against the insides of the wheels and
it would run true. I tried to simulate this by holding a small
screwdriver behind the gear and running the wheels The gear stayed in
place and ran true. This is not the way I would really like to do this
repair but given the situation perhaps I should consider it. I was
thinking of say a "C" clip washer pushed onto the shaft behind the
gear that could accomplish this. Hey I'm 64. It doesn't have to last a
lifetime. Just maybe another 25 years, (if I'm lucky). Lenny- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

You could make a clip like you described out of aluminum, like a soda/
beer can or maybe something thicker if necessary

On Jan 17, 9:37*am, "
wrote:
This may be the wrong group to post this question to however I was
hoping that someone familiar with my problem may read this and be able
to offer some advice.
I have a 646 Hudson steam engine that I received with the train set
*that my Dad bought me in 1953. The set comes out now just briefly for
the holidays,
(space is limited).
This year while cleaning and lubricating my equipment I noticed that
there is a gear on the left side of the engine between the most
forward and center of two of the six large wheels in the center of the
engine that seems to wobble on the post it rides on. The post looks
like its ok. It just seems to be the hole in the gear that has opened
up considerably.
This gear, about the size of a quarter was just "placed" on this
shaft, however with the large wheels in place it is captive and cannot
be removed from the shaft without removing these two of the six wheels
in the center of the engine. The wheels seem to have been pressed on
to their shafts and I don't want to force anything. The engine still
runs well, however this gear wobbles as it idles between the two
wheels.
Luckily, the teeth on the gear as well as the teeth on the wheels are
not chewed yet, but if this situation persists I'm sure they will be.
I'm certain that this can only get worse if neglected.
I have always maintained and even rebuilt many pieces of my set over
the years but I've never disassembled an engine drive before. Can
anyone more familiar with this kind of dissasembly please advise me as
to how to go about removing these driving wheels without damaging the
engine, the axles or motor assembly? Or if there is a more appropriate
newsgroup I might present
this question to I would very much appreciate being advised of that as
well. I've tried rec.models.railroad but never received an answer.
Thanks very much, Lenny

* * Reply * *Reply to author

If you can find the center, where the gear should set, you could use
jb weld. I know, it isn't the most professional fix, but it's cheap
and works well. My cousin used it to temporarily reattach a spindle
on a farm truck. That was two years ago, and still going. Make sure
to get the good jb weld, and not the quick set. You should clean the
area out with rubbing alcohol before applying the jb, but be tidy with
the alcohol, it can goof up old paint, plastics, Bakelite, printing,
decals...

-J

On Jan 20, 4:07*am, Sansui Samari wrote:
On Jan 17, 9:37*am, "





wrote:
This may be the wrong group to post this question to however I was
hoping that someone familiar with my problem may read this and be able
to offer some advice.
I have a 646 Hudson steam engine that I received with the train set
*that my Dad bought me in 1953. The set comes out now just briefly for
the holidays,
(space is limited).
This year while cleaning and lubricating my equipment I noticed that
there is a gear on the left side of the engine between the most
forward and center of two of the six large wheels in the center of the
engine that seems to wobble on the post it rides on. The post looks
like its ok. It just seems to be the hole in the gear that has opened
up considerably.
This gear, about the size of a quarter was just "placed" on this
shaft, however with the large wheels in place it is captive and cannot
be removed from the shaft without removing these two of the six wheels
in the center of the engine. The wheels seem to have been pressed on
to their shafts and I don't want to force anything. The engine still
runs well, however this gear wobbles as it idles between the two
wheels.
Luckily, the teeth on the gear as well as the teeth on the wheels are
not chewed yet, but if this situation persists I'm sure they will be.
I'm certain that this can only get worse if neglected.
I have always maintained and even rebuilt many pieces of my set over
the years but I've never disassembled an engine drive before. Can
anyone more familiar with this kind of dissasembly please advise me as
to how to go about removing these driving wheels without damaging the
engine, the axles or motor assembly? Or if there is a more appropriate
newsgroup I might present
this question to I would very much appreciate being advised of that as
well. I've tried rec.models.railroad but never received an answer.
Thanks very much, Lenny

* * Reply * *Reply to author

If you can find the center, where the gear should set, you could use
jb weld. *I know, it isn't the most professional fix, but it's cheap
and works well. *My cousin used it to temporarily reattach a spindle
on a farm truck. *That was two years ago, and still going. *Make sure
to get the good jb weld, and not the quick set. *You should clean the
area out with rubbing alcohol before applying the jb, but be tidy with
the alcohol, it can goof up old paint, plastics, Bakelite, printing,
decals...

-J- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I know that JB Weld is great stuff. My son raves about it all the
time. Are you suggesting to kind of jam it in between the shaft and
the eccenric hole in the gear to take up the space? And if so then how
would I keep it from adhering to the shaft?
Also the aluminum clip idea sounds like a good one but I think that if
I went that route it would have to be a section from the pop top to
realize the thickness I need. And wouldn't steel or brass be a better
choice though? Lenny.

On 1/20/2010 8:33 AM, wrote:
On Jan 20, 4:07 am, Sansui wrote:
On Jan 17, 9:37 am, "





wrote:
This may be the wrong group to post this question to however I was
hoping that someone familiar with my problem may read this and be able
to offer some advice.
I have a 646 Hudson steam engine that I received with the train set
that my Dad bought me in 1953. The set comes out now just briefly for
the holidays,
(space is limited).
This year while cleaning and lubricating my equipment I noticed that
there is a gear on the left side of the engine between the most
forward and center of two of the six large wheels in the center of the
engine that seems to wobble on the post it rides on. The post looks
like its ok. It just seems to be the hole in the gear that has opened
up considerably.
This gear, about the size of a quarter was just "placed" on this
shaft, however with the large wheels in place it is captive and cannot
be removed from the shaft without removing these two of the six wheels
in the center of the engine. The wheels seem to have been pressed on
to their shafts and I don't want to force anything. The engine still
runs well, however this gear wobbles as it idles between the two
wheels.
Luckily, the teeth on the gear as well as the teeth on the wheels are
not chewed yet, but if this situation persists I'm sure they will be.
I'm certain that this can only get worse if neglected.
I have always maintained and even rebuilt many pieces of my set over
the years but I've never disassembled an engine drive before. Can
anyone more familiar with this kind of dissasembly please advise me as
to how to go about removing these driving wheels without damaging the
engine, the axles or motor assembly? Or if there is a more appropriate
newsgroup I might present
this question to I would very much appreciate being advised of that as
well. I've tried rec.models.railroad but never received an answer.
Thanks very much, Lenny

Reply Reply to author

If you can find the center, where the gear should set, you could use
jb weld. I know, it isn't the most professional fix, but it's cheap
and works well. My cousin used it to temporarily reattach a spindle
on a farm truck. That was two years ago, and still going. Make sure
to get the good jb weld, and not the quick set. You should clean the
area out with rubbing alcohol before applying the jb, but be tidy with
the alcohol, it can goof up old paint, plastics, Bakelite, printing,
decals...

-J- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I know that JB Weld is great stuff. My son raves about it all the
time. Are you suggesting to kind of jam it in between the shaft and
the eccenric hole in the gear to take up the space? And if so then how
would I keep it from adhering to the shaft?
Also the aluminum clip idea sounds like a good one but I think that if
I went that route it would have to be a section from the pop top to
realize the thickness I need. And wouldn't steel or brass be a better
choice though? Lenny.

Lenny,

I like the idea of the aluminum, as it will be the softest part there,
so it will take all of the ware. You might need to replace the shim
every few years, but that's not a big deal once you've figured out the
shape.

Regards,
Tim Schwartz
Bristol Electronics

On Jan 20, 5:33*am, "
wrote:
On Jan 20, 4:07*am, Sansui Samari wrote:



On Jan 17, 9:37*am, "

wrote:
This may be the wrong group to post this question to however I was
hoping that someone familiar with my problem may read this and be able
to offer some advice.
I have a 646 Hudson steam engine that I received with the train set
*that my Dad bought me in 1953. The set comes out now just briefly for
the holidays,
(space is limited).
This year while cleaning and lubricating my equipment I noticed that
there is a gear on the left side of the engine between the most
forward and center of two of the six large wheels in the center of the
engine that seems to wobble on the post it rides on. The post looks
like its ok. It just seems to be the hole in the gear that has opened
up considerably.
This gear, about the size of a quarter was just "placed" on this
shaft, however with the large wheels in place it is captive and cannot
be removed from the shaft without removing these two of the six wheels
in the center of the engine. The wheels seem to have been pressed on
to their shafts and I don't want to force anything. The engine still
runs well, however this gear wobbles as it idles between the two
wheels.
Luckily, the teeth on the gear as well as the teeth on the wheels are
not chewed yet, but if this situation persists I'm sure they will be.
I'm certain that this can only get worse if neglected.
I have always maintained and even rebuilt many pieces of my set over
the years but I've never disassembled an engine drive before. Can
anyone more familiar with this kind of dissasembly please advise me as
to how to go about removing these driving wheels without damaging the
engine, the axles or motor assembly? Or if there is a more appropriate
newsgroup I might present
this question to I would very much appreciate being advised of that as
well. I've tried rec.models.railroad but never received an answer.
Thanks very much, Lenny

* * Reply * *Reply to author

If you can find the center, where the gear should set, you could use
jb weld. *I know, it isn't the most professional fix, but it's cheap
and works well. *My cousin used it to temporarily reattach a spindle
on a farm truck. *That was two years ago, and still going. *Make sure
to get the good jb weld, and not the quick set. *You should clean the
area out with rubbing alcohol before applying the jb, but be tidy with
the alcohol, it can goof up old paint, plastics, Bakelite, printing,
decals...

-J- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I know that JB Weld is great stuff. My son raves about it all the
time. Are you suggesting to kind of jam it in between the shaft and
the eccenric hole in the gear to take up the space? And if so then how
would I keep it from adhering to the shaft?
Also the aluminum clip idea sounds like a good one but I think that if
I went that route it would have to be a section from the pop top to
realize the thickness I need. And wouldn't steel or brass be a better
choice though? Lenny.

The jb weld would adhere to the shaft. It does come off with a bit
heat though. As for the shim idea, I work on a lot of industrial
machinery, and aluminum is usually not a very good shim for a moving
part. It wears quickly, and is brittle when very thin. I usually use
brass. I foresee problems with the shim idea though. I'm pretty sure,
you'll have a hard time keeping the gear centered, as well as problems
keeping the shim from falling out. It'll probably be tough to keep
the gear from slipping as well. Short of risking destroying it to
take it apart, I think I'd try the jb weld, or maybe another epoxy,
that is easier to remove. If the wheels weren't a brittle cast, a
competent machinist would have no problem pressing them out, but in
your case, I don't think I'd try it without a spare or two.