Help with a universal joint repair

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I recently came into possession of one of my favorite locomotives. It is a Walthers EMD SW-1 (the older one in the red and white box [932-1357]). It was still sealed in the plastic. However, it did not run. I cleaned and lubricated both of the gearboxes. I got so it runs on the track. I tuned it over to clean the wheels and noticed the front wheels were not turning. The rear gearbox is driven by a short piece of tubing. The front gearbox has a short drive shaft that fits over a plastic ball on a metal shaft. The plastic ball spins on the metal shaft. I tried Starbond and gorilla glue without success. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance,
Al

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Hmmm… A picture would help. Could the tubing on the rear truck be a previous repair? Maybe do the same thing on the front?

Simon

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Can you set up to knurl or groove the portion of the metal shaft where the ball goes?

I’d have thought that a good gap-filling cyanoacrylate (‘super glue’) would be the best reasonably-priced adhesive. No form of Gorilla Glue would be suitable at all.

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4

The ball is probably split allowing it to spin on the shaft. Replacement is probably the best fix. Hobbytown of Boston or Northwest Shortline have parts. Walthers may also have parts available. The early units had rubber tubing to drive the rear truck. Later units came with a universal drive shaft similar to the front truck.

Mark Vinski

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5

This thread is of interest:

Forums HO SW1 - General Discussion (Model Railroader) - Trains.com Forums

Simon

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snjroy,
I will try to post a picture this evening after work. I don’t think there were any repairs as the package was still sealed.
Al

7

Woke_Hoagland,
I didn’t think to knurl the end of the shaft before gluing. I will try that.
Al

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mvlandsw,
I have tried looking for parts with little success. I will check out those hobby sites.
Al

9

Simon,
Thanks for the link. I’ll check it out.
Al

10

Do a search for the two A-Line/PPW parts kits shown here:

I’m not sure if they are sized for your SW-1, you could contact them and get the exact shaft diameters.

Good Luck, Ed

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