This forum is fortunate to have you guys around...your knowledge is priceless....

Thanks for the refresher Tenwheeler. I need to look thru my notes and get up to speed.   

I thank everyone for their response on this subject and to keep this subject thread alive. A month ago I didn't know what Keep Alive was. Sounded like the solution to all my performance issues. I believe right now I'll stick to cleaning the track, proper lubrication...you know the old way of doing things...However... I'm going buy one and keep on hand for those situations where I just can't understand what's going on...like a last measure troubleshooting resource...

Now a question which may or may not already be a thread...23 years ago when I started buying the Spectrum Locomotives (4-6-0 and 2-8-0) and took up this great hobby, the talk of the town was the Altas Forum. Everybody was removing the Factory Circuit Boards and hard wired. I did this on a few...can't recall the details...improvement or not...Anyhow, I recently bought 2 NEW (around 2003 Model) off of Ebay. Is removing the circuit board still the practice?           

I say "no speaker" I believe there is a note saying "Speaker not included" on one of the models..

Thanks guys for replys...Dearrail operation definitely should be considered if you are just starting out but converting over my layout...well let's just I won't live long enough to enjoy it...I have two new Spectrums to add to my fleet so I just might go with the Keep Alive install...I already have an axel gear changeout project on two 63" 4-6-0 to do this fall/winter so that will keep me busy...until I screw that up...     

Keep Alive is new to me...I reviewed one offering and it appears that the capacitor is almost double the price of the decoder. There are many variables to consider before purchasing, mainly your system reliability, etc. But even if you can afford it...is Keep Alive worth it?     

"If at first you don't succeed, throw it in the spare parts box"

Love it and how true it is...Lack of experience and tool costs are issues here...Good news is, I'm in no hurry...little by little...More questions surely to come...

Thanks all... 

I was advised several times about the use of the quarterer tool...It's one learning step at a time. Next step after pulling the wheel is to get the gear off and the new one correctly installed? It's all new to me...Any advice on that part?

Thanks...   

Just saw a You Tube Video where an individual used a "Superior Tool Faucet Handle Puller" to pull an engine driver wheel off. Available at Lowes for $16.00 and probable cheaper on Ebay or Amazon. Looked liked a very simple operation abd one that I understood.

Has anyone made their own affordable wheel puller? As I have mentioned before I have several 63" and 52" 4-6-0's that need new driver gears...I need to at least attempt to repair myself or they will remain in their respective boxes until my estate sale....

Next question "Is the driver gear removal a problem?" What could I expect? Someone said that rod alignment also needs to be considered. 

Any advice to help me appreciated.

Thanks,   
       

Oh man...nice work Shooter...wish they were mine...

Interesting...how did you make out 686 Shooter? I assume your wheel driver gear was not worn down or teeth condition was not an issue?

OK...back on trying to get the gear identified. I have two complete engines needing this gear. Golf starts soon so goodbye to the train room for a while but do need to get this gear identified...Hey BACH-MAN...could you help me?

thanks,
Russ Daley 

 

Hello 686 Shooter...That's great...Like finding gold!!!!

Exactly my thoughts...thanks for your feedback. 

I love this hobby....Probably need a gear puller too...Let's see that's about $50-70 just in tooling.