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 Posted - May 08 2019 : 04:54:06 AM
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Hello,
I am fascinated by Life-Like trains and have the early Varney Type Motor Bogie (motor on top driving layshaft below via two huge gears) and loads of the more modern Hornby/Lima style drives that they carried to the end.
Recently I acquied a B Unit that had a dummy Uni-Drive Chassis - What is Uni-Drive? A chassis mounted open frame motor driving the bogie through a universal coupling and a gear tower! See the image purloined from HO Seeker:
This mech clearly didn't last long, as the Varney inspired one was still being sold as late as 75/6 and the Hornby/Lima type came along before the end of the decade.
Has anyone got one of these unusual mechs to sell? I don't need the body, but happy to buy a complete loco if that what is on offer. What I really would like to have is a good, complete and working Uni-Drive chassis!
Thank you!
James
Edited by - Highwayman97 on May 08 2019 04:55:19 AM
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Posted - May 08 2019 : 1:17:23 PM
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I recognize this from a trade I got a while back. The universal joint
had cracked, rendering it inert. Following advice from others, I
merely inserted a cut to length bit of RC model car fuel tubing
in place of the drive shaft, and presto! I don't know if would come
near to solving your challenge, but thanks for posting this rather
interesting bit.
Edited by - Chops124 on May 08 2019 1:17:58 PM
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Posted - May 08 2019 : 5:24:13 PM
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Thanks Chops,
Very interesting indeed.
Given that Mehano and others used the Universal joint successfully, it is a pity that this may have been an achillies heel here. Maybe that was the reason that Uni-drive was so short lived?
James
Edited by - Highwayman97 on May 08 2019 5:32:51 PM
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Posted - May 21 2019 : 7:51:57 PM
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Uni drive GP38-2's are fairly easy to find. The quick spotting feature is three screws holding the fuel tank casting, the pancake drives use two screws.
No doubt the F's have the same arrangement.
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