Rivarossi Hudson

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I just got a Rivarossi Hudson that I won on EBay, it’s in ‘like new’ condition, I put it on my lay-out and it runs great but it ‘waddles’. Is that typical of steamers, inexpensive steamers, Rivarossi steamers, or is something wrong?

Thanks
Pat

2

If it’s not really excessive, I’de leave it alone. Even the prototype side rod steamers did this. You might check to make sure the wheels are quartered correctly, though.

3

One thing to ckeck is the tracton tire. See if it is setting in the groved wheel evenly. They sometimes have a thicker area causing a hump on the wheel. Kind of a trade off for better traction. May just need a better tire.

Bob

4

If it is an older AHM/Rivarossi it would be the wheels not being quartered correct, and check the tires as stated. Does it stall somewhat when it wobbles???

5

Something like this is usually caused by one of four things, a vertical “hop” which has been mentioned with the traction tires. The axles being pulled back and forth which was also covered with the suggestion to check the quartering of the drivers. Another thing to look at which is less common but should still be checked is lateral run out. Just like a automotive wheel which you can see wobble as it goes down the road. Some times drivers get bent. Another thing to try is adding some weight. You want to balance the engine over the center driver(s). Some are tail and some are nose heavy. Depends on how the manufacturer built it. You could try some temporary weight and see if it improves.

Jim

6

You could have a bad driver axle (bent a few degrees), or maybe even a driver that is not perpendicular to the straight axle.

And (don’t jump on me, now) one other possibility is your track. If it isn’t level transversely, you have some work to do.

7

“like new” condition…so it has been run before?..if it has come into contact with certain corrosive chemicals, (I know people who HAVE used clorox to clean rails before) the wheels may have ‘flat spots’ on them…but you’ll have seen those by the time you read this, if they do…

8

as long as there is no derailment i would leave it.