steam engine wheels

[barry smith]

Does anyone have experience with tightening up bachman HO steam engine drivers that will not stay in quarter positions? The wheels are loose in the insulating sleeves. Ideas please.

[Jim Banner]

If parts are available, replace the sleeves.

Otherwise, check the old sleeves to see if they are split.  If they are, get some brass tubing that is a tight fit around the outside of the sleeves.  Often it is necessary to take a slightly smaller size and file/sand the sleeves to fit.  Cut the tubing slightly shorter than the sleeve to avoid shorts.  Push the sleeves into the tubing, then push the half axles back into the sleeves.  If they are still not tight enough, consider using some ACC glue but this often makes it harder to re-quarter the wheels.

If the sleeves are not split, try using epoxy and leaving the assembly in a quartering jig while it sets.  You may also need to use a small clamp to keep the wheels in gauge while the epoxy sets if you use anything except the 5 five minute type.  Epoxy is much better at gap filling and if you wipe off any extra oil or grease but leave a tiny bit of oil behind, you can still remove the half axles if you really need to.

Jim