Another brass loco project - repairs and painting.

ACL1504 · February 07, 2016, 05:35:48 PM

This thread was started on another forum in 2012 but I'll finish it here. The thread was started when I still had the old layout in operation. The layout in the following photos is now history.

I'm not in a hurry as I have other layout projects going as well. These repairs aren't as bad as I've had in the past. This thread will also show ya'll some much needed extra details as thoseI did on Frank Baker's, Erieman, Erie loco.

Here are two photos of my intended victim.

Continued in a few.

ACL1504 · February 07, 2016, 05:54:16 PM

I'll give you a little history on the loco as well. The loco is a USRA Heavy Mountain, 4-8-2 and in 1978 retailed for $190.00. The locomotive was imported by Key Imports and was built by Samhongsa of Korea. Only 200 of this model were made.

I purchased this model off Ebay in 2011 for $220.00.

Over a period of time, back when brass locos were king, Sunset Models, Gem, and Akane have all released the heavy USRA version of the 4-8-2 mountain type. Key Imports at the time made the best version of the Heavy Mountains. Over the years this model has sold on Ebay for as little as $114.00 and as much as $475.00. For property, location is everything and for Ebay, timing is everything.

NOTICE: I'd like to add here a little sage advice. If you aren't familiar with working, repairing, and or painting brass locomotives my advice is to NOT buy one off Ebay.

Mr. Forrest Gump said it best. "You never know what you are going to get"!

On Ebay this loco looked fine and I didn't ask any questions. I figured if there was an issue I could fix it.

In the above two photos the loco looks fine. Right? The red foam stains and tarnish are no big deal. Key Imports always used the red foam. The red stain is caused by the red dye leaching out of the foam and staining the clear coat on the brass. Some people think the tarnish look is pitting in the brass but it isn't.

The tarnishing is nothing more than the clear coat breaking down and the brass getting discolored.

Continued in a few.

ACL1504 · February 07, 2016, 06:11:16 PM

Notice anything funny or strange in the above photo. The front driver is about 3/8 inch off the rail.

While I'm at it, the two crosshead guides are not level. These are the two silver colored bars coming out of the steam chest. These hold the crosshead in place as it slides back and forth. The crosshead is bolted to the main siderods.

Also, the single action air pump is pushed up and onto the bottom of the boiler. The second and back brake shoes are broken and missing.

So, take my advise and always ask the seller questions about the item you want to bid on. A question I should have asked was "Is there anything broken or missing on the loco.". Of course the seller can come back and say, "Not to my knowledge but I don't know anything about brass." Catch 22 for sure.

ACL1504 · February 07, 2016, 06:15:34 PM

Tomorrow I'll solve the mystery of the raised front driver. I'm already anxious to get to the painting process.

Tom

tct855 · February 07, 2016, 06:22:06 PM

T~,
I remember this train movie! However, being a guy I love reruns! Thanx Thom...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tJGk4ofc18

ak-milw · February 07, 2016, 06:50:37 PM

I am sitting here waiting Tom!

ACL1504 · February 08, 2016, 12:29:29 PM

Quote from: tct855 on February 07, 2016, 06:22:06 PM
T~,
I remember this train movie! However, being a guy I love reruns! Thanx Thom...

Thom,

Thanks for following along yet one more time.

Tom

ACL1504 · February 08, 2016, 12:30:31 PM

Quote from: ak-milw on February 07, 2016, 06:50:37 PM
I am sitting here waiting Tom!

Andy,

I'll be posting again to this in a few minutes.

Tom

BandOGuy · February 08, 2016, 02:02:48 PM

Quote from: ACL1504 on February 07, 2016, 05:54:16 PM

NOTICE: I'd like to add here a little sage advice. If you aren't familiar with working, repairing, and or painting brass locomotives my advice is to NOT buy one off Ebay.

NOW he tells me!
Wonder what lurks in those boxes I've accumulated over in the other side of the basement?!
Maybe I'll just pack 'em all up and blame any damages o the move coming up.

ACL1504 · February 08, 2016, 03:45:17 PM

Quote from: BandOGuy on February 08, 2016, 02:02:48 PM
Quote from: ACL1504 on February 07, 2016, 05:54:16 PM

NOTICE: I'd like to add here a little sage advice. If you aren't familiar with working, repairing, and or painting brass locomotives my advice is to NOT buy one off Ebay.

NOW he tells me!
Wonder what lurks in those boxes I've accumulated over in the other side of the basement?!
Maybe I'll just pack 'em all up and blame any damages o the move coming up.

What me worry?

Tom

ACL1504 · February 08, 2016, 03:54:39 PM

Prior to removing the front pilot, I noticed the spring was much to strong. This is what pushed up the front of the locomotive. I then removed the front pilot and found a very large spring and a metal washer. The washer was to thick and to large. The spring was also to strong and much to large for it's intended use.

In the next photo, you can see the large washer and spring on the right. The correct size spring is on the left. Quite a difference.

The loco drivers all sit correctly on the rails. The spring was an easy fix for this problem.

Continued in a few.

ACL1504 · February 08, 2016, 04:05:58 PM

It appears the rest of the problems are cosmetic in nature. I'll cover a couple here.

The air pump was bent into the underside of the boiler causing the side rods to jam in the up position. I simply used a pair of long needle nose pliers to carefully and slowly bend the bracket holding the pump back into the correct position.

The pipes and pipe bracket just below the right side running board are loose and need to be re-soldered. The front pipe bracket is bent inward.