Newbie needs help with Varney Loco side frames

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’m working with my two grandsons on a small layout and would like to include a yard diesel from MY childhood – several years ago!! Two of the four side frames on the trucks have warped and cracked. I would like to replace all four, if possible. I don’t need exact, authentic replacements but I would like to use something that looks reasonbly appropriate! Looks like the axles are about 1 1/8" apart, front to back. The Varney kit is No. 2230K, “Yard Diesel Locomotive”; General Motors 1000 HP Diesel Switch Engine.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Mack

2

This may not be what you want to hear, but you are talking about a model that has not been made for over 60 years. If you really want to get new switcher truck sideframes for that model;

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/676-24

Or direct Athearn part:

http://www.athearn.com/Products/Parts/Default.aspx

41021 HO Sideframe Set, SW7 1 $ 4.98

Either way you will need to do some work to make them fit. Good Luck.

Jim

3

Jim,

Thanks for the information, although you really did NOT have to mention how long ago it was that this locomotive was available!?!?

I’ll start looking for these parts soon.

I’m not convinced that I can make the locomotive work. The motor does still run and it looks like I have most of the parts still attached to it. New couplers will be in order, etc. My hope is to show my grandsons that if you take care of your “toys”, they will last you a lifetime! Whether they get the message or not is a different matter.

Thanks again,

Mack

4

Mack,All is not lost–yet.

You may want to try :

http://www.modeltrainsyard.com/

The Athearn SW7 side frame will not fit the Varney SW7.

5

1 1/8" is very close to 8 scale feet, which is actually the correct truck wheelbase for your diesel. The Athearn sideframes may be able to fit with some modification and glue. They’re made of plastic, so they’re very easy to work on. I once adapted a set of Athearn sideframes to fit an old Lindsay drive truck.

If the motor still runs and the gears still work, you should be able to get it running with a good cleaning and oiling. I think Varney used brass wheels, which can form a thick tarnish over time. A very fine abrasive block, like the Bright Boy from Walthers, will clean them up in no time.

6

Thanks, Larry. I’ll give a look on Model Trains Yard. . . .

I like your Avatar – since we’re modeling Rock Hill to Anderson, SC, we’ll be focusing on Southern!!

7

Thanks, Darth. The modification to the Athearn sideframe might be the way to go. And, yep, the wheels are well-tarnished. They’ll need some cleaning up, but that’s not a major problem.

8

I believe for a time Varney did have a version of the switcher with plastic side frames. It might be difficult to find another brand that matches the wheelbase exactly but since as I recall the sideframes were mostly just along for the ride anyway it is sometimes possible to tolerate simply glueing sideframes on that slightly mismatch the journals and axle ends.

Dave Nelson

9

Dave,

Thanks for the encouragement. I don’t believe I’ll be taking the time to look for plastic Varney side frames!! But, you are certainly correct, the side frames are just along for the ride; I’ve run the locomotive without the side frames. . . . So, your thought to just fasten side frames on that might be mismatched a little will surely be OK with my grandson and probably with me, too.

Thanks again,

Mack