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Tyco Trains

Tyco Motive Power

Restoring a TYCO Canadian Pacific F9A #4107

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RP model railroads
Big Boy

Status: offline

Posted - July 13 2020 : 10:57:20 PM

I recently won this Canadian Pacific RR F9A #4107 with reported damage in the photos, and listed as not running, for $17, including shipping, from a Ebay seller in the US. It just arrived in the mail today, and at first, I wondered if I should even attempt to restore it. It was missing 2 truck covers (rear/powered truck), 1 horn, both couplers, 2 rear broken stepladders (included) and had both plastic "tubes" inside the shell sheared-off, where the weight cover screws were inserted. Also, the point at the rear part of the roof of the shell must have broken off in the past, so the previous owner just sanded the surface down flat (photo #3.) Not bad looking at all, really. This is, by far, the most heavily damaged locomotive I've ever tried fixing.

I began by first testing the locomotive to see if it worked, and upon applying power, the headlight works and the motor barely wants to run, but it is still alive. With some cleaning and lube later down the road, I'm sure I can get that MU-2 motor back to running strong.

Then, I started the shell restoration process by removing the broken couplers and replacing them - the front coupler was a pain to replace as those cursed metal pins which hold in the front couplers on both Tyco's F7s/F9s and Sharks are murder to remove. Then, using Testor's Liquid Cement, I glued the 2 rear stepladders back into the place, as well as the plastic screw "tubes" to the interior of the shell, which support the weight/fuel tank cover. I then used some Scotch tape to hold the weight in place as it dries.

Not too bad - it's coming along.

*Some of you may be wondering why I would go to all the trouble to fix this, when I could probably find one in good condition. First off, anything Tyco Canadian is hard to find here in the US, with the Canadian Pacific F9 actually being one of the easiest Canadian pieces to obtain in the USA, but finding it in good shape is a true challenge. Without the shipping cost, I only paid $7 for this, so I consider it a pretty good deal, damage included.

Stay tuned for part 2!

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." - Matthew 5:16

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BlaxlandAlex3
Big Boy

Status: offline

Posted - July 14 2020 : 10:20:12 AM

Keep us posted! She is a beaut.

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DaCheez
Big Boy

Status: offline

Posted - July 14 2020 : 2:35:08 PM

You got lucky having the broken step ladders present with the engine. Those are always a pain. Looks like it will be a nice engine when finished. This is one of the few Canadian Tyco pieces I don't think I have. Nice find!

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Canada ~ Posts: 3412 ~ Member Since: September 22 2006 ~ Last Visit: April 10 2025

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Redwoods
Big Boy

Status: offline

Posted - July 14 2020 : 5:58:37 PM

It's one of my favorite Tyco paint schemes. I find the challenge is to find one where the lettering is not rubbed off.

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USA ~ Posts: 1084 ~ Member Since: July 07 2011 ~ Last Visit: March 24 2025

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RP model railroads
Big Boy

Status: offline

Posted - July 14 2020 : 10:34:09 PM

Thanks guys!!

Yeah, DaCheez, actually the one stepladder was already broken off and included by the seller, while the other broke off in the mail, so that was a good thing.

Redwoods, wow, I didn't know that! Also, yes, I too was surprised that the lettering, and the nose decal, were in great condition. Yet another reason I decided it was definitely worth restoring.

So, after allowing the liquid cement to dry for 24 hours, I returned to the F9 this afternoon and was pleased to find everything, including the interior plastic tubes beneath the weight fuel tank, were rock solid. Then, I proceeded to place a few drops of Labelle lube onto the gears, and inside the actual truck assembly where the worm gears at the ends of the MU-2 motor spin the axle gears (I fit the needle of the Labelle bottle inside, as both truck covers were already broken off.) Then, I placed it on the tracks, put the power on full-blast, and began pushing it around until eventually the gears loosened and the wheels began spinning!! Within 5 minutes, the F9 roared back to life and was racing down the tracks in forward and reverse. As I had hoped, it is a perfectly working locomotive, thanks to the indestructible MU-2 motor!

I then turned my attention to the final details. I installed a new yellow horn on the roof, and glued on 2 spare truck covers. I then removed the scotch tape, wiped it down, and stood back to admire the final result.

Below are photos of the completely restored Tyco Canadian Pacific F9!!! I am truly stunned at how well it turned out - it almost looks perfect, and runs like a dream.