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 Posted - March 20 2012 : 2:17:38 PM
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Hi all, got another question for you.
I got this engine for a buck or two at the last train show. I knew it was a fixer-upper, but so far I haven't had much luck with it. Anyone know what drive is in this engine. The magnets are strong, and the motor turns fine (thanks to a LOT of Labelle 107), but she still goes really slow and the winding gets scalding hot within seconds under load. Though I think the winding insulation may be shot, I want to get an ID on this engine before I go any further, Any ideas as to make and year?
Thanks.
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Posted - March 20 2012 : 3:16:40 PM
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I'm not sure it's what you have, but I have a Gilbert F3 that is very similar, with a few differences. Yours might be a different year, or perhaps a Varney (some Gilberts were based on Varney mechanisms, etc).
Mine wanted to run, but the axles were bound in the gearbox and would not turn. I would disassemble the truck (NOT the motor) and make sure everything turns freely.
You can compare the mechanism to mine, and get troubleshooting ideas from this older thread:
http://tycoforums.com/tyco/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9308
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Posted - March 20 2012 : 3:52:22 PM
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It is a varney or life like drive. If gilbert it would say so.
Frank
toptrain
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Posted - March 20 2012 : 4:25:30 PM
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frank yet again you got it right,ken
http://www.hoseeker.net/assemblyexplosionvarney/varneyfab3pg1.jpg
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Posted - March 20 2012 : 6:12:07 PM
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Thanks again everyone. She defintely matches that diagram. Sadly, I think she's going to become the "dummy unit of the week". I've cleaned her to death, and yet her winding heats up very quickly, so I think the insulation on the armature wires is shot, leaving her with a shorting motor. Oh well, 
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waw47
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Posted - March 20 2012 : 6:39:46 PM
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| The frame and drive are from a Varney F3 circa 1950s. The Santa Fe F7 shell did not originally come with it.
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Posted - March 20 2012 : 7:13:13 PM
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I figured it was a different shell, since it didn't quite fit on the chassis. I finally gave in and converted the unit to a lighted dummy. I narrowed the problem down to the winding, which I believe was burnt and was shorting out, causing the huge spike in temperature. I'm keeping her and the drive parts around, however, in case I find another Varney diesel with a good motor but which is missing a few pieces.
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Posted - June 21 2012 : 11:17:29 AM
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I actually just got this same engine in a collection/score that I bid on and forgot on ebay. Paid 11 dollars for 5 engines and 15 freight cars. A steal. This was the only engine that ran great out of the box. No markings and the frame might be slightly similar but i'm pretty sure it is this engine. Now all I need is a shell to go with it.
If you are not having fun, you are not doing it right.
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Posted - June 21 2012 : 11:42:11 AM
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May be a dumb question, but why couldn't you mount the drive gear on a different motor, is it the shaft size?
Bruce Clouette
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Posted - June 21 2012 : 1:04:51 PM
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I suppose that could be done, but I don't know if I could find another winding that fits the space just right. It may be possible, I just don't know if it's really worth it.
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Posted - June 21 2012 : 1:51:45 PM
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drew, quick off topic question whats going on with the small turntable layout? I love the design and the old run down look. Are you running trains on it?
I buy, repair, and collect
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