|
|
 Posted - January 18 2014 : 9:47:09 PM
|
Did something new at my Train shop job today, I worked on some huge honkin' 400 watt MTH O gauge transformers, the Z-4000. Three of them. Two had broken electrical connectors, and one didn't work at all. I replaced the electrical connectors, and on the one that didn't function, I found out that I could make one side work if the other throttle wires were disconnected ( dual power ). Since a new one is about $500, and the customer only uses one side at a time anyway, he was happy to get away with a $35 repair charge. And I was happy to get 3 big items ready to return, as we need the shelf space!
Another interesting repair I'm working on is a vintage Marklin HO diesel, a Santa Fe F7? which runs off AC voltage. Wasn't running, and after some vigorous gear-twisting, I got the motor to finally break loose and turn over, then run. Oiled it a bit, and it's humming along fine. Needs some parts ( 3rd rail pick-up slide is missing ), but at least its working so we know it's worth repairing. Going to try to find parts online. Another neat thing about this old engine, is that the motor shafts actually have hot boxes to oil them! Tiny little boxes with a small foam plug that you oil, and it keeps the shaft oiled. Pretty nifty, them Germans!  The shell is all metal, too. Here's some pictures of said Marklin engine -
      
Anybody know of a good source for vintage Marklin HO parts? I've done some searching, but haven't found any definitive source I could order from yet. All it needs is the center rail contact slide, and the screw that holds it on ( I think ). Would be nice to find a parts diagram for it as well. Vintage stuff can be challenging to work on. Appreciate any leads on the Marklin.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
|
Country:  USA ~
Posts: 3974 ~
Member Since: January 04 2009 ~
Last Visit: January 11 2019
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - January 20 2014 : 4:43:53 PM
|
I would create a daily Marklin search on eBay and keep my eyes peeled, but they probably aren't easy to find outside of Europe. Maybe Ken knows a resource.
If you can find out what the original shoe looked like, you might be able to make one out of some phosphor bronze, even if it's just a stand-in until you find the part.
Interesting that Marklin made pancake drives, too, but they look like they were built to last a lifetime instead of just 40 hours. I also noticed in your closeup that they used a combination of carbon / rolled mesh brushes just like Rivarossi. I always thought RR was the only one to do that, but maybe that's where they got that practice.
The Tyco Depot
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 3927 ~
Member Since: June 20 2007 ~
Last Visit: November 19 2015
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - January 21 2014 : 01:18:04 AM
|
Those would be "journals", not "hot boxes".
A "hot box" is a journal that is on fire. 
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/weekendrailroader?blend=1&ob=video-mustangbase
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 189 ~
Member Since: March 07 2012 ~
Last Visit: February 16 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home
Forums
Events Calendar
Forum Admins & Mods
Register
