HO 2-8-0 belt

[Barry Karlberg]

Good Evening Bach man:

Can you give me an idea of when to expect the 2-8-0, drive belts to be in stock and is there a way to pre-order them?
My consolodation of 12 years, which is my favorite locomotive has begun slipping as when  the motor speed is increased the" sound" does but there is very little to no movement of the wheels. This engine has been a quiet, smooth runner and I want to get it back in service. Any suggestions? I tried on line sources along with Bachmann parts but they are sold out.

Thanks,

Barry

[BillD53A]

I have been unable to find any belts from any other sources.   I seem to remember someone once saying they were drive belts used in computer drives.

[ALCO0001]

The 4 4 0 modern Spectrum also uses a belt  maybe they have it and do not realize that it is the same , 
Jack

[electrical whiz kid]

Someone on another site named "Nigel" said-if I remember correctly-that the belts-or belts made from and in the same way- were used in the space industry?
RIch C.

[Barry Karlberg]

Well, good and better news.

First, I talked to a very helpful lady, Bridget,  today in Bachmann's parts dept. who told me the belt for the Heavy Mountain locomotive was the same for the 2-8-0 so I ordered a pair of them.
The better information is that I probably don't need a new belt at all.  I went down to the layout room tonight and  shut off the sound to see how the locomotive ran. To my surprise it ran slow and smooth.  After turning the sound back on and re-adjusting CVs for the chuff rate, speed,  acceleration and deceleration, the locomotivewas running better than ever. Now it looks like those extra belts will be kept as spares in the event one does break. Someone, I think Jonathan posted on this site that its rare a belt fails so I guess he was right.

Barry

[jonathan]

Well, it could have been me who wrote the belts were tough.  That's certainly true.  The only belt problems I have had were from new locomotives.  During assembly, it appears someone might have accidently cut into the rubber portion of the belt, or the belt was deffective when new.  I've experienced this on two of the eight belt-driven Spectrums I own. 

I do keep a couple belts around as spares just in case.  Jim Banner use to say the eccectric crank pin would wear out  before any other part on the Connies.  Hence, I make sure to add a tiny drop of conductaluble to the eccentric crank every now and then.

To the original question:  I took me a year of watching the parts dept in order to get a couple of spare belts.  They seem to sell out fast.

Regards,

Jonathen

[BillD53A]

According to the parts page, the 4-8-2 belt is a different belt....different diameter and different number of teeth.  I dont see any info on the 4-4-0 belt, although, from the photos, it does use a belt.  I have never taken my 4-4-0 apart.

[Barry Karlberg]

I noted that too Bill, but the lady in parts said it works as well so that's why I ordered a pair. I figured for $6. it was cheap insurance if they work.

Barry

[BillD53A]

Okay, I bought some.  We'll see what happens.

[BillD53A]

The 4-8-2 drive belts came in the mail this morning.  Nice fast shipping by the parts department     I took the 2-8-0 apart.  The belts are not the same.  The old belt is wider, and a larger circumference, with fewer, larger teeth.  Both belts sime to be equally stiff, so I dont know if the new belt will stretch to fit over the shafts or not.  When I opened the loco up I found my old belt intact.  After poking around, I find the cogged puley on the motor shaft is spinning on the shaft.       Okay, I just tried to reassemble the drive with the new belt, and could not do so.  The belt needs to be a larger circumference.  now I need to see if I can get a new motor assembly from Parts.