Reko of an ancient LGB U. Repair to a worn motorblock

[Spule 4]

Due to my U Lok interest....

I bought and old U. Low cab 2073, just what I wanted, low cab, and ratty enough that I can kitbash it without feeling bad. So for ratty Stainz money, photo from our favorite seconhand railway stock broker (eBay):

[img=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/3313437890_9f479e0eb1_o.jpg]

While it ran OK, it had a bit of noise. As all the grease was a bit dry seing as this thing is as old as dirt (and it is getting painted anyhow) I did the right thing, and tore it completely down.

At that point, found the source of the noise. The lok has been run in one direction much of its life apparently, and the rear most axel bearing on one side is now oval.

While reversing the positioning of the gears makes the sound go away, this is a stopgap measure.

So, I bought some new bushings. The ones I bought were made by a company called Igus out of Germany:

GFM 0607-06, 7mm OD/6mm ID, with a flange.

I picked up a LGB replacement gear set for $15.

I did notice that all the drive axel gears are SMALLER. So installing this, it does not rub on frame. However, this will not counteract what I assume is the wear from operation on R1 curves in a constant anticlockwise direction. Stopgap to say the least!:thinking:

[img=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3513/3313398052_4bfa2e2138.jpg]

Photo above shows the hole drilled and bearing installed. Gear sizes shown too.

[img=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3535/3313398884_f94f21b7f3.jpg]

Second photo, much the same.

Got it all back together, and it runs fine.



Edit- fix photos, thanks to Doug for the tip in his post!

 

[Martino]

Interesting to see what you've got up your sleeve for that one!

 

[Spule 4]

Ah, Martin. Good thinking. And some of the bits for this should look familiar from a package you sent me a while back!

The idea was to "backdate" it and do some painting. I was going to paint the entire model, until a friend pointed out the green had a very "home shops" vibe to it, so the green was to stay. Maybe some striping in the future?

Anyhow, further work for Austrian OeBB 298.14....to Czech CSD U37.xxx class.

I never really liked the healamp arrangement on this and especially the newer versions from LGB. So, using a broken Stainz front lamp, a couple drill bits and some carving with an xacto blade, I got the new top headlamp.

I removed what was left of the "tall" headlamp brackets, leaving the four moulded mounting "tangs" on the top of the smokebox.

I drilled the hole into the smokebox so the light socket is a press fitting and can be removed to replace bulbs.

I then carved the light housing so it is also a press fit between the base of the smokestack and the light, so no glue is used for any of this.

Then, using the old dummy headlamp, and a spare sent to me by LGBofA, I put the two on the other light housings, they are a press fit, again, but a bit of glue to secure them.

The other mods were washing all the crud off of it, the bushing repair, trimming off the daft looking snow ploughs and painting the chassis with Krylon Fusion black matte.

[img=http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1048/3353745398_6cbb69aa5b.jpg]

Sorry for the glare:

[img=http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1179/3353739312_0e0b793d26_b.jpg]

Since these photos (February), I have got it back together, modifed the cab (large Stainz type lamp on the rear and a light shade with the markings of the home shops that Andy Reed helped me identify) and a set of metal tread wheels from the US outline 2-4-0 for the trailing bogie off of eBay.

More photos when we figure out how to reset the photo counter on the camera (The card is empty but the frame count is full....who cares? Apparently Fuji, that's who!!!!)

 

[captaincrunch]

i also have recently purchased a 2073 U class. Newer one. Split box, tall cab. Green with the Waldenburgerbahn lining. 1990s?
My first U class, also for Stainz money. Had never been able to find one "cheap" enough before, with the bad economy and all..Bought on "craigslist" I left it green for awhile and then decided to paint it black ( I can hear the LGB police at my door now!). I aways loved the Zillertalbahn and U classes on the other Austrian lines..so I had to do it. Just needed some clean up and greasing. I love the Stainz headlight mod. Others have commented on the "blacked out"headlight. What is the history behind LGBs decision to do that anyway?
-Steve

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[vannerley]

The blacked out headlight is a strange decision - the prototypes all carried three headlights in final OBB service. Generally there would be the original oil lamp converted to electric operation and then a pair of new electric headlights towards the tops of the water tanks (a little higher than in the picture in this thread).

Normal Austrian practice is to run with all three lamps lit outside station limits and then to switch them off once past the king points and into the station loops (Austrian stations are only every made up of loops). I wish I could do the switching off bit on my (7mm) U class locos but I would have to change to DCC for that I guess).

I do not know of a prototype U that ran with three oil lamps but so what ...

Here's a picture of one of my little U class locos.

<a href="http://s198.photobucket.com/albums/aa264/FrGruesome/?action=view&current=trainposter.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa264/FrGruesome/trainposter.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Rhinochugger]

Smart :applause: :applause:

 

[hornbeam]

Just goes to show hoe LGB lasts. top job mate.