DIY Repair & Modifications / Track & Layout & Battery | One Gauge / G scale
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Contents for this page: (Click the link to view topic)
Locomotive Repair & Modifications / Track & Layout / Track & Battery power:
Locomotive & Rolling Stock - Modification, Repair, Maintenance / Track & Layout / Battery power
See this page for information on:
- Locomotives: (Repairing/Troubleshooting problems & Custom enhancements)
- Accucraft: GS-4
- Aristocraft:
- Diesel/Electric: Dash-9 - E-8 - SD-45
- Steam: Mallet - Mikado
- Parts Diagrams (All that are avail for Aristocraft products)
- Product Database (Full/Complete Aristocraft product database)
- Bachmann: 4-6-0 (Big Hauler/10th Anniversary)
- LGB: Mikado
- MTH:
- USA Trains:
MTH replacement parts - (Contact me at:)
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**Please email at or call to request information on sales, service or repairs.**
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Locomotive Repair & Modifications / Track & Layout / Track & Battery power:
Accucraft - GS-4 (Daylight)
Aristocraft - Dash-9 / E-8 / SD-45
3 Axle motor block noise / running choppy / rough - (Applicable to Dash-9, SD-45, E-8 and all Aristocraft 3 axle motor block engines)
Drive-train (Gearbox) failure - Added 03/13/2011
Sealing the Aristocraft smoke unit fluid reservoir tank to prevent leaks
Install front and rear handrails - (applies to Dash-9)
Lowering the engine and raising the fuel tank project - (applies to Dash-9)
Aristocraft - Mallet
Rod pins impacting main rod as engine runs (unexplained 'clinking' sound)
Motor defective (Engine sets running at noticeably different speeds)
Power pickup problems from some drivers: power transfer strips missing
Power pickup problems from some drivers: power pickup ball missing on axle to ball power pickup
Recurring plastic 'creaking' noise while running - (Twice per revolution of the wheels)
Drive-train (Gearbox) failure - Added 03/13/2011
Lead truck on engine derailing / Increase downward pressure on lead truck
Sealing the Aristocraft smoke unit fluid reservoir tank to prevent leaks
Aristocraft - Mikado
Rod pins impacting main rod as engine runs (unexplained 'clinking' sound)
Power pickup problems from some drivers: power transfer strips missing
Power pickup problems from some drivers: power pickup ball missing on axle to ball power pickup
Drive-train (Gearbox) failure - Added 03/13/2011
Sealing the Aristocraft smoke unit fluid reservoir tank to prevent leaks
Bachmann Big Hauler (& 10th Anniversary edition) (One Gauge)
MTH - Big Boy: (See: Repair page / Photo & Video page)
Front Pilot Spring replacement to get the front engine to sit more evenly - (Applied to 2006 MTH One Gauge Big Boy)
Adding 1 lb 5oz weight to front of boiler to get rear engine to sit more evenly - (Applied to 2006 MTH One Gauge Big Boy)
Note: Changes made for 2015 model help reduce this risk
Slider screw modifications (To stop switch and cross-over shorts)
Slider shoe modifications + shimming the axles (To stop shorts on Aristocraft 19.5 degree cross-overs)
Adding fuses between front and rear engine power pickup wires to protect from short damage
Electrically isolating the two pin component from the frame - (Applied to 2006 MTH One Gauge Big Boy)
Sliders getting caught in switch frogs. (Particularly #6 switches)
Driveline binding / not running smooth - (Applied to 2006 MTH One Gauge Big Boy)
Brake shoes facing the wrong way - (Applied to 2006 MTH One Gauge Big Boy)
Drawbar upgrade and modification - (Applied to 2006 MTH One Gauge Big Boy)
Tender Plug Problems (Sound cutting out/intermittent) - (Applied to 2006 MTH One Gauge Big Boy)
Charging the engine's PS2 on-board battery - (Applied to 2006 MTH One Gauge Big Boy)
Sound file update: Corrects S01 softkey short whistle sound - (Applied to 2006 MTH One Gauge Big Boy)
Polarity switch location - (Applied to 2006 MTH One Gauge Big Boy)
MTH - Challenger: (See: Repair page / Photo & Video page)
MTH Challenger - Front Drivers Binding Fix / Driveline binds
Sliders getting caught in switch frogs. (Particularly #6 switches)
MTH - Dash-8: (See: Repair page / Photo & Video page)
None yet to share
MTH - F-3: (See: Repair page / Photo & Video page)
MTH - F-7: (See: Repair page / Photo & Video page)
MTH - GG1: (See: Repair page / Photo & Video page)
None yet to share
MTH - GS-4/GS-2 (See: Repair page / Photo & Video page):
MTH - Hudson: (See: Repair page / Photo & Video page)
Front Coupler replaced with functioning #1 Scale Kadee (#822)
Sliders getting caught in switch frogs. (Particularly #6 switches)
MTH - PA: (See: Repair page / Photo & Video page)
MTH - SD70ACe: (See: Repair page / Photo & Video page)
MTH - Triplex: (See: Repair page / Photo & Video page)
Front Coupler replaced with functioning G scale Kadee (#830) coupler
Adding a wire pair to allow power pickup sharing between the engine and the tender
Improving sound volume and base levels via modifications in the tender
Adding nylon washers to reduce frame on axle side to side play
Adding fuses between the front and rear driver sets on the engine
No smoke output from smoking whistle (no air velocity from fan)
Hard to separate tender from engine (Tender Drawbar pin loose)
Control issues with Triplex - adding inductors to engines with a slave board
Sliders getting caught in switch frogs. (Particularly #6 switches)
- Shipping precautions:
MTH - VO-1000: (See: Repair page / Photo & Video page)
USA Trains - Big Boy: (Repair page)
USA Trains - Hudson: (Repair page)
Back-end of Engine Sagging (Factory trailing truck spring too weak)
Power Pickup Problems: Wheel power pickups not making contact
Driver axle suspension doesn't have proper range of motion/sticking in frame
USA Trains - SD40-2 / SD70 / PA-1 & PB-1
Wheel not turning/grinding sound: Damaged/stripped idler gear
Wheel not turning/grinding sound (Pivoting end-axle): Spun universal end-joint / loose worm gear
Wheel not turning (Pivoting end axle): Stripped plastic universal
USA Trains - F-3 / GP7&GP9 / GP30 / GP38-2 / NW-2
Wheel not turning/grinding sound: Damaged/stripped axle gear
Wheel not turning/grinding sound: Damaged/stripped axle gear (Caused by failed motor bearing)
Wheel not turning/spins when under load: Cracked axle gear assembly
Smoke unit not working: Power transfer between frame and body shell broken
Freight Cars:
Bachmann:
Coal Hopper cars:
LGB:
Steel Caboose: (40790 CE-5) - Santa Fe
Passenger Cars:
Aristocraft:
Heavyweight Passenger Cars:
Bachmann:
Jackson Sharp Passenger Cars
Couplers:
Body-mount vs Truck-mount
Kadee vs factory provide coupler
Layout Construction / Roadbed / Wiring / Tools
Roadbed:
Wiring:
Bridges:
- Tools:
Track type
Track Connections
Track Cleaners
Turn Bachmann Passenger car truck into a track cleaner (same info as in "Rolling Stock" section)
Turn Bachmann Coal Hopper car truck into a track cleaner (same info as in "Rolling Stock" section)
Turn your MTH Passenger car into a track cleaner car (same info as in "Rolling Stock" section)
Crossovers: (Aristocraft 19.5 Degree Crossover)
Switches/Turnouts
Track power:
Power Supplies
Volt & Ammeters (aftermarket) for Power supplies
Fuses *VERY IMPORTANT*
Power emergency cut-off (power outlet wireless remote control)
MTH DCS:
MTH: TIU
Tips for better DCS signal and help with other DCS operations related issues - *** SUGGESTED READ FOR DCS USERS ***
MTH TIU Antenna Add-on to Extend Wireless Remotes Operating Range
MTH Parts (Engines, Cars, Accessories)
For MTH Parts please email me at:
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