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 Posted - December 23 2012 : 2:46:58 PM
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Hi folks, decided to break out the old trains for the holidays -- they've been in the closet at mom's since the mid-70s when the teenager decided he didn't want to play trains anymore. Well, now I'm hooked again, and happy to have found this site.
Of course, after all these years, I've forgotten a lot of the tricks I knew as a kid, the engines and track all need service, so the "Maintenance & Repair Shop" is proving very useful and I thank you all for the good information.
I just received via eBay a Tyco F9. It's the Blue/Gold F9A, probably circa 1969 as the red box would suggest, and like one I had many years ago since lost. Although it looks clean and well maintained, it runs a bit sluggish, and alas, the seller didn't pack it well so both couplers are broken... but the real problem is that it keeps derailing. It seems the front truck is binding against the steps. I know there are two screws that fix the truck inside the frame -- you access them via two small holes on the bottom of the truck, just inside the truck's step -- the screws are both tight as I presume they should be, so there isn't any play coming from the mounting.
I notice the culprit seems to be round hump in the middle of the truck on either side that scrapes the steps protruding from the plastic frame. The hump corresponds to the holes that allow you to get a screwdriver into those holes to access the mounting screws.
Anyone have this problem and/or know if there's any adjustment for it? Thanks!
Tim
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Posted - December 23 2012 : 2:56:35 PM
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WELCOME! I would make sure the motor's yoke/pivot joint is fully seated/snapped in. The coupler boxes can be gently pried up and off with a small screw driver, careful not to bend it. Then to re-install, use pliers. I have a few older red box/PH 1 F-9's in my collection. Nice runners.
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - December 23 2012 : 3:04:43 PM
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It sounds like the steps have been bent or slightly broken inward. They should clear otherwise. If that's the case, I would straighten them very carefully, since they won't take much bending. A few layers of CA (super glue) on the back of the break can reinforce them once they're straightened.
The Tyco Depot
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Posted - December 23 2012 : 3:18:48 PM
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I have several Tyco F9's of that earlier design, and none of them bind in quite the manner you are seeing. The swivel clearance is tight, especially on the front truck, but ultimately the design should not cause them to interfere.
There are a few theoretical causes I can think of, though:
- The steps are bent inward
- One of the screw bosses (or mounting posts) inside the shell has cracked and is therefore allowing more play than there should be
- The track curve radius is smaller than 18" (or flextrack with same, or a kink)
To make sure you have the right diagnosis, I would pay extra attention to the wheels, and make sure the nylon wheels are not cracked. That's a common problem with Tyco's of that era. You should especially check the motor truck which is the rear one IIRC. There should be traction bands on the nylon wheels, and these are often missing by now (age). Missing bands cause the rails to settle into the band groove, causing erratic performance... especially if the wheel is also cracked.
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Posted - December 23 2012 : 3:53:24 PM
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Thanks, guys. I suspect you're right about the steps bending in a bit, but as they look aligned to the frame, it might be that the frame has buckled a tiny bit causing the steps to be a little too close to the truck. Photos in case anyone is interested.
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Posted - December 23 2012 : 7:32:21 PM
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| Have you removed the two screws and taken the truck out to ensure it's sitting right? Check to make sure the mounting bracket isn't bent. If that doesn't work, maybe try putting some tiny washers on the screws so the body rides slightly higher.
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Posted - December 24 2012 : 01:35:02 AM
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Well, much thanks to you all. I don't know what exactly I did to remedy the situation, but it seems to run fine now and is no longer derailing incessantly. Of course, now I have to read the other forum threads on how to replace the couplers as both were broken when the ebay'er shipped 'em.
Curious if any of you have had a similar experience with bad packing by an ebay'er. What do you do in that case? I didn't get that F9 cheap, and was disappointed that the couplers were broken. Would you have sent it back? Complained to the seller? Give him negative feedback?
I don't like making waves, but feel like with a tiny bit of care in packing, he could have avoided having the couplers snap off...
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Posted - December 24 2012 : 09:40:51 AM
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Glad you got it working. In your pics the stirrups look normal and proper to me, but I can see the rub marks, so I'm not sure what the problem is. Eric had a great suggestion which is similar to but perhaps more plausible than my second, so if it happens again I would look there.
As for damage in ebay shipping... I have not had too may issues, but it happens with couplers, and is pretty much the nature of the beast. Many people selling trains simply do not know what they have (trying to clear out an inheritance) or how to take care of them, and think they are more durable than they are. I have seen thinks that were otherwise exceptionally well packed (the intent was there) be damaged in lone fluke exposed weak spot. And sometimes overzealous packaging has caused the damage (broken steps, etc)! So it's kind of the nature of the beast.
If I feel the seller made an attempt to be reasonably careful, and the damage is a typical or easy fix like couplers or stirrups or a small detail off a loco, I don't give them too much of a hard time. If the box could have doubled as a maraca, however, then THAT is a serious problem of carelessness.
In either case, I contact the seller and politely explain the issue. You might try asking for a partial refund too... some sellers might be more willing to "pay for a repair" than to eat the entire sale. I have made suggestions "for future reference" that some have been downright thankful for. Other sellers have of course been a little more stubborn. But you don't know if you don't ask. In a serious case, ebay will look at the exchanges per their resolution process.
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Posted - December 24 2012 : 10:31:58 AM
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Thanks Tony et al, really appreciate the feedback. Agree with your sentiments on ebay; I'm more experienced with buying vinyl (e.g. records) on ebay, and you're right about people often not knowing what they have.
Cheers and happy holidays to everyone.
-- Tim
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Posted - December 24 2012 : 11:27:05 AM
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| Vinyl and trains are the two things I buy on ebay as well, and I can say the vinyl is almost always packed better.
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