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 Posted - November 15 2021 : 10:48:46 PM
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I recently got a Sakura Docksider in HO at a train show for (get this) $20. The seller had it marked as a Tenshodo (even though that's not what it is, but, like Tenshodo, it was imported by Pacific Fast Mail in the 60's). Granted, it didn't have the original box, and when I took it apart to clean it up and lubricate it, I had to make a new wire as the original was kind of wearing out (which was really easy, by the way). But still. It's a pretty good runner for its age (I would say my diecast Varney docksider runs a little better) and it's really a good looking model. Based on my research, Sakura was apparently around making models from 1962 to 1966. It's a pretty good model with proper bearings for the axles, lots of beautifully done separately fitted brass details (the loco is mostly made out of zamac), and a generally well done mechanism. It does kind of bind at the extremely low speeds (by that, I mean going a scale speed of like 10 mph or something like that), but that seems to be relatively common with these locos due to the old school mechanism, at least in my experience. Even the Varney docksider I have kind of does it at the really low speeds. But once you have it at a somewhat decent speed, it runs quite nicely. It's so small, you can hear it kind of click on the plastic frogs (the Varney does the same thing)  .
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Posted - November 16 2021 : 01:26:39 AM
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Mega Cool, Steve. Are you going to letter it up for
a particular railway? BTW, the "binding," could it
actually be "cogging?" That is a slow speed effect
of three pole motors lurching from armature to
armature at slow speeds, which is why five pole
motors are thought to be better.
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Posted - November 16 2021 : 03:50:06 AM
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quote:Mega Cool, Steve. Are you going to letter it up for
a particular railway? BTW, the "binding," could it
actually be "cogging?" That is a slow speed effect
of three pole motors lurching from armature to
armature at slow speeds, which is why five pole
motors are thought to be better.
Originally posted by Chops124Â -Â November 16 2021Â :Â 01:26:39 AM
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I investigated and, uhh.... the valve gear on one side of the loco just began falling apart (because brass breaks easily). Basically, I was bending some pieces that were touching (parts that were clearly causing problems), and because of the weak nature of brass, it just broke off. Luckily, though, once I managed to discard the broken bits, she still runs! Still not exactly happy with myself about it, though.
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Posted - November 16 2021 : 04:39:04 AM
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 ouch!!!
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Posted - November 16 2021 : 1:42:48 PM
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I can relate to that! About 40 years ago, when I was young and stupid (now I'm old and stupid!), I thought I could straighten the frame on an Athearn Blue Box U33B - snapped that sucker right in two!
1202
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
Edited by - gmoney on November 16 2021 1:43:11 PM
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Posted - November 17 2021 : 3:55:36 PM
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quote:I can relate to that! About 40 years ago, when I was young and stupid (now I'm old and stupid!), I thought I could straighten the frame on an Athearn Blue Box U33B - snapped that sucker right in two!
1202
Originally posted by gmoney - November 16 2021 : 1:42:48 PM
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Oh, geez. Didn't know you could actually do something like that.
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Posted - November 17 2021 : 8:58:27 PM
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Nice old Docksider there, Steve! And don't feel bad, I'm sure we've all broken something on a train when trying to repair it.
"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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