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 Posted - September 22 2011 : 4:24:38 PM
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I have a problem with the pilot on my MDC 9L2 2-6-2 Pennsylvania style loco. It is similar to this one currently on eBay (Item number: 140609626374, no, not mine):
/tyco/forum/uploaded/offtrackthoroughbred/3mato3w.jpeg
I wonder if this one has the same problem as mine: The pilot rubs the rail.
The pilot is cast as part of the Zamac frame. It does not look bent or malformed. There is no extra to be removed that wouldn't detract from appearance.
I see no practical way to raise the frame; the drive wheel axles are held by a flat plate with no wiggle room and even if the frame could be raised, then rods and valve gear would be out of alignment.
By total random forces, I got in a parcel of "junk" parts a frame for an MDC 6L2 2-6-2 Santa Fe style that has a different pilot cast with the frame, as seen at this link:
quote:
I did a frame transplant and clearance with this Santa Fe pilot is quite adequate; but it just does not look "Pennsy", given the Belpaire fire box.
Can anyone offer advice for bending Zamac or cutting off the Zamac pilot and re-attaching it?
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Posted - September 22 2011 : 5:07:46 PM
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If it's rubbing the rail heads, then it must have deformed due to damage or mild zinc rot. Zamac doesn't bend very far, but I have straightened some parts with slight deformations successfully. There's always the risk of breakage though, but the casting can be reassembled. I find CA with baking soda as filler works best, which can then be filed to shape. This method would also be good if you want to saw it off and reposition it.
The Tyco Depot
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Posted - September 22 2011 : 7:04:26 PM
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MAybe it has the wrong drivers. Or they are just to small.
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
Edited by - toptrain on September 23 2011 11:03:24 AM
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Posted - September 22 2011 : 7:39:43 PM
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Offtrack, can you post a dead-on side view picture of it so we can see if it's the drivers or the frame?
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Posted - September 23 2011 : 09:28:10 AM
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Thanks for your interest. I've heard rumors that old MDC kits require a bit of ingenuity. From the following photos, it seems the 6L2 frame has the pilot a bit high while the 9L2 frame a bit low. Drivers are scale 63 inch. Probably I need the courage to get out "the saw"; but my cuts always seem a bit crooked.
The "Santa Fe" 6L2 frame
The "Pennsylvainia" 9L2 frame
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Posted - September 23 2011 : 10:59:50 AM
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Dont know if this helps , but this is my pennsy 4-6-0 pilot-track chearance.
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
Edited by - toptrain on September 23 2011 11:01:46 AM
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Posted - September 23 2011 : 4:55:30 PM
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That's weird. If all the parts are original, and the frame isn't bowed, I'm at a loss. 
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Posted - September 23 2011 : 8:41:47 PM
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Straight and square, nothing looks bent or malformed, no apparent casting blemishes; it is a good job of casting the wrong specifications.
Same drive parts for 6L2 and 9L2 as shown in the following links:
quote:
quote:
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Posted - September 23 2011 : 9:26:37 PM
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I was looking at those sheets earlier. Hard to believe they could let such a big goof go into production. It must have been corrected at some point.
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Posted - September 23 2011 : 10:56:36 PM
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Off track
About the cuts, grab from Micro-Mark and HO Scale sized Mitre-box. It will work wonders or you.
-Gareth
"A is A"
-Aristotle
Law of Identification
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