They have several spectacular layouts, and they're right next to the CPKC mainline, so there's opportunities abound to see lots of model and prototype trains! They're open from 10 AM to 3PM on Saturday, December 13 at the CPR station, 3rd. street northeast in Portage La Prairie. Admission is just five bucks, and kids under 12 get in for free.
The Samhongsa gas electric combine Neil Carleton bought needed gear replacements.
By Neil Carleton
This article originally appeared in The Lantern, the official publication of the WMRC.
I bought a brass Samhongsa gas electric combine from the estate of Morgan Turney. It was sold as “needing work” but it was such a well made model that I had to buy it. On the track it would go about 3 inches and stop, when reversed, 3 inches back.
The model has one powered truck with a universal connected to the motor. When disconnected the motor ran smoothly with no issues. On removal of the bottom cover plate and opening the gear tower I found three plastic gears meshing to brass gears. On close inspection, all three were cracked, and they jammed when the crack rolled around. The gears are quite small and two different sized axels.
NorthWest Shortline has hundreds of replacement gears and some they recommended, but would not let me send the damaged ones to make sure. Each new gear was over US$30 and not easily returnable. A friend who is not an active model railroader wondered if 3-D printing was a solution.
I contacted Darrell Brownlee, who has printed some vehicles and some other items for me. He said he knew what to do, so I got the cracked gears to him. In short order he returned new gears, with lots of spares. I fit them in and they worked!
Then I realized I could not tighten the gear tower sufficiently to remove some gear slop when going forward, causing excess noise.
It appeared that the machine screws were bottoming out so I spoke to Darrell and with the measurements I sent him, he was able to print extremely small washers. The washers were various thicknesses but the winner was two about the thickness of paper.
Gas electric now runs smoothly in both directions. Next step is to add DCC and then paint and decal the model.
Come one, come all to the WMRC’s annual clinic carnival and Christmas hot dog banquet! Please note that we’re having our meeting on Friday, December 5, a week earlier than usual.
We have an exciting roster of some of Winnipeg’s best modellers sharing their skills this year, including Murray Brown, who’ll show you how to make your own decals, and Fred Headon, who’ll show you how to apply them. John Bate will have a simple 3D CAD program running, capable of producing the files needed to drive 3D printers. People can see how this part of 3D printing is done, and try it for themselves. Darrell Brownlee will show you how to complete the task using 3D printing.
While you’re soaking in on all of these great modelling hints, feast on gourmet air fried hot dogs prepared by our own master chef Mark McLennan, along with pop, chips, donuts and cookies!
The fun begins at 7:30PM on Friday, December 5 in the Tank Room at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. We’ll he having our usual model and photo display, as well as the 50-50 draw. Don’t forget to bring a tin for the bin! Every donation helps the less fortunate.
