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Post by grahame on Jul 3, 2015 6:56:47 GMT -5
I need to elevate the couplings on my GP38-2 trucks. There is a small tab on the leading edge which should, in my opinion, hold the coupler in a horizontal position. It appears that this tab is very flimsy and one time over this tab is enough to destroy it? Surely that cannot be true? The problem is that the couplers now snag on the turn out (points to us Brits) since they are hanging down a bit. I tried pushing them back up but there is nothing left to hold it in place. Are these truck frames not designed to be removable to allow access to the wheel/gear sets and contact plates? Any one done a repair like this?  |
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Post by grahame on Jul 3, 2015 6:58:27 GMT -5
Wouldn't a better design be something like the Microtrains F7 with a simple pair of screws to hold the frame in place?
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Post by shamoo737 on Jul 3, 2015 8:14:33 GMT -5
It can be push back into place, but its tricky. Even when its in place, the coupler is still hanging low. I converted my GP38 to body mounted MTL couplers.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jul 3, 2015 8:16:23 GMT -5
This part will not snap back into place due to the angle of the retention tab.
To repair this, remove the lower truck frame by gently pulling back on the tab at the other end of the truck (the end without the coupler)
Take care that the wheels and electrical pick ups are now free and can depart the gear box easily.
Re assemble the lower truck frame by first aligning the front tab near the coupler, then leverage off the coupler tab to snap the other end into place.
This will successfully realign the coupler height as it will be firmly seated against the retention tab.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jul 3, 2015 8:18:50 GMT -5
Wouldn't a better design be something like the Microtrains F7 with a simple pair of screws to hold the frame in place? The MTL screw solution resulted in many cracked trucks due to over tightening of the screws. |
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Post by grahame on Jul 3, 2015 8:32:05 GMT -5
This part will not snap back into place due to the angle of the retention tab. To repair this, remove the lower truck frame by gently pulling back on the tab at the other end of the truck (the end without the coupler) Take care that the wheels and electrical pick ups are now free and can depart the gear box easily. Re assemble the lower truck frame by first aligning the front tab near the coupler, then leverage off the coupler tab to snap the other end into place. This will successfully realign the coupler height as it will be firmly seated against the retention tab. Great info thanks....I see the tab at the back......so it's front in first ..then the back..right....I bet I'm not the first person to struggle with this??? Would you have any photos of the truck disassembled by any chance? |
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jul 3, 2015 9:03:53 GMT -5
Hi Grahame,
I'll see if I can take some photos later today.
But you are essentially correct: the tab near the coupler acts like the hinge on a door.
But, be very careful when you take the bottom truck frame off, because there are LOTS of parts inside (gears, wheels, and electrical pick ups) that are going to want to fly out of the truck. It is impossible to do unless the locomotive is upside down, and I have never been able to do it while holding in my hands without parts flying to the floor.
Also, don't force anything. If it feels too tight, then it is probably about to break.
Last thought: I have plenty of spares to practice on (mainly from broken trucks that have no use to anyone) but you might not have that luxury. Take into account the possibility that if things go poorly, you may have to buy an extra truck.
With that said, it's worth a try to get it running again!
Best,
-Rob
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Post by grahame on Jul 3, 2015 10:18:06 GMT -5
Hi Grahame, I'll see if I can take some photos later today. But you are essentially correct: the tab near the coupler acts like the hinge on a door. But, be very careful when you take the bottom truck frame off, because there are LOTS of parts inside (gears, wheels, and electrical pick ups) that are going to want to fly out of the truck. It is impossible to do unless the locomotive is upside down, and I have never been able to do it while holding in my hands without parts flying to the floor. Also, don't force anything. If it feels too tight, then it is probably about to break. Last thought: I have plenty of spares to practice on (mainly from broken trucks that have no use to anyone) but you might not have that luxury. Take into account the possibility that if things go poorly, you may have to buy an extra truck. With that said, it's worth a try to get it running again! Best, -Rob |
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Post by grahame on Jul 3, 2015 10:25:44 GMT -5
Thanks Robert, I have rebuilt the gear box to a T gauge loco (now that WAS small) www.talkingtgauge.net/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=121so I am quite used to dealing with small parts. Would you advise doing it with the truck still in the loco or after removing it? I rather think the first option since this will hold the truck in place. Loco upside down braced on either side to prevent it tipping over. The loco is running right now very nicely but I had to remove the turn out from the little layout..it snags with the coupling hanging low. that's the only issue. I even wondered about trimming a tiny bit of plastic off to prevent this snag instead of trying the proper repair just to be safer. |
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Post by grahame on Jul 3, 2015 13:10:06 GMT -5
Photos would be great, so I know whats inside before I start this job.
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Post by christoff on Jul 3, 2015 15:28:54 GMT -5
I wish I had seen this a few nights ago I had swapped the internals for mtl coupler internals and the height was wrong so I went to switch them back and the tab broke off now I see where I went wrong and also I have no real experience with z scale other then the last 2 weeks and these locos are real easy to work on even when the truck pops apart an the contacts and wheel sets go flying as long as you find the parts there a simple design to put back together atleast I had no issues
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Post by grahame on Jul 3, 2015 22:07:13 GMT -5
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jul 4, 2015 0:09:42 GMT -5
By George, I think he's got it!
<grin>
Best,
-Rob
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Post by grahame on Jul 4, 2015 6:07:30 GMT -5
Hahaha..very appropriate for a Brit, who most certainly DOES celebrate America's birthday! Happy 4th.
I actually had to do both ends..second one took a fraction of time taken by the first....once you know, you know.
Thanks again for the crucial information.
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