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 Posted - January 16 2015 : 8:24:30 PM
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I have a bunch of Mantua steam locos of various ages. Some of them "wobble" down the track, and I am convinced that it is because drive wheels are not the correct distance apart (gauge-wise). Some of these engines seem to have an incredible amount of slop when sitting on a straight section.
Can these drivers be worked in and out a little if the gauge is way off? Or are they fixed?
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Posted - January 16 2015 : 8:44:14 PM
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They can be regauged if needed.
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - January 16 2015 : 9:02:47 PM
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I recommend that you buy an NMRA Standards Gauge to check all the wheels on your locos and rolling stock. The Standards gauge will also check track gauge.
Also, for adjusting the loco drivers I recommend a wheel puller from NWSL and a Quartering jig from NWSL for your steam locomotives.
Unspoken expectations are premeditated failures.
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Posted - January 16 2015 : 9:34:33 PM
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If they have a lot of axle slop, the axle bearings may be worn. Fortunately Mantua locos have replaceable brass ones, but most 70's Tyco ones don't, and they really seemed to screw up the dimensions of the axle slots on the Pacific when they eliminated them. Every brown box version I've come across waddles badly, especially under load.
The Tyco Depot
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Posted - January 19 2015 : 7:15:22 PM
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| I've noticed that wobble, and I hadn't thought of it in quite a while (e.g., hadn't noticed . . . grew oblivious?) until seeing this post. I'm going to have to look at the little things when they're next doing "chores" on the layout . . . well . . . going around in circles more or less. I'm guessing if you had one of those quartering tools (seems just about like the tool to remove a link from a chain?), you could adjust the wheel back and forth fairly easily. Be interesting to see what you come up with Eddystone. I do know that I've been running the older Mantua's and I haven't noticed them doing it. I'm thinking I notice it when I run the Mantua General which is a newer one, but still under the Mantua name; maybe 80's? Keep us posted on what you do and how it works.
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