I received the new Mashima motor the other day. The worm gear was therefore removed from the old motor and was attached to the new one. The worm required a small bit of solder to lock it to the motor axle, it was attached like that on the old motor.
I fabricated a motor bracket that I soldered to the frame. There was some small interference between some of the interior parts on the body and the motor, but it was easily solved with the Dremel!
The test drive was VERY smooth, with a small hickup when changing direction! It was sourced to the crank shaft that rocks in the holders, so I have to shim it a bit…
It sure is a wonderful transformation that makes a lemon into a jewel! I will add some pics tomorrow.
Thanks for the update. I never thought of actually soldering the gear to the shaft. I just give the drive a bit of teeth by crunching it VERY lightly with a vise and applying a bit of CA glue to seal the deal… I guess the solder makes it easier to remove later. Simon
Well it is getting to be quite to my liking. I have done a bit more on the locomotive. Soldered together a toolbox that I mounted on the walkway and secured the crankshaft with som plasticard shims:
This is how it looked stripped before painting:
I painted the locomotive with a transparent Etch Primer and then used a custom mixed dark gray color (Humbrol). I painted it gray as I think it looks better.
I baked the body and the trucks in the oven at 65 ° C for 20 minutes. It makes the color very hard and adheres well.
Now it is to be assembled, have the decals mounted and all the details painted and to be weathered!
Found some small sticks to make the firewood from:
It is rosehip branches that I sawed into small lengths and cleaved.
I have begun the detailing and finishing. In addition to the tools that you see in the picture above, I have put figures on each side to hide the motor a bit more.
Now there is just a little weathering, decoder installation, lights, glass and decals left to do.
