Hi, new guy here! I've got a ? about a new Rivarossi 4-8-2 Berkshire that wobbles. Does anyone know if I can fix it or do I have to send it back and never see it for months. I have several others and they are fine performers. This one was on sale, gee, I wonder why? Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated Thanx
To me. it would depend on who you actually bought it from....LHS, mail order, or other ? How 'new' is it ? [ In other words, is it current production distributed via Walthers ?] Or is it a Model Expo distributed unit ? If there's a warranty, I'd be tempted to use it and ask for a replacement, if the vendor agrees that a replacement is in order. Good Luck & regards / Mike [Please let us know how you make out...other forum memebers will be interested.]
Hi, A steamer will wobble or waddle back and forth on the track if the wheel sets are out of quarter. That means that the point of drive for the pairs of drivers are not 90 degrees from each ofther. If the unit is new, then I would have it replaced, but if it is used have it repaired by a reputable technician. Hope this helps. Dean
Thanks Mike, yea it is one week new. It cost me $70 US at Trainworld via mailorder. Now that's cheap! I wanted to fix it myself because I have to pay return shipping. That makes it less of a deal. Other than the wobble, the unit is a quiet runner.
Ol Nu Choo, if you can prop the engine up side down so you can see the drivers at close range, and run the motor with lead wires on a couple of the drivers, you could find the one that is at fault. By watching the driver turn over slowly, you should be able to see if it is binding on one of the connecting rods, or if a wheel is warped. Let us know what you find out.
I have been burnt by steam many times and I almost fell for that cheap ad by trainworld. Here's the Walthers Riv Policy, per Phil Walthers President. "Walthers will replace locomotives remaining from the previous distributor(Modelexpo) for up to one year from date of purchase as long as we have a replacement in stock. Should a replacement loco not be in stock, Walthers will exchange the defective product for a comparably priced in-stock loco of the customer's choosing". Walthers and Trainworld do not make repairs. "Walthers says that the engine must be returned to your dealer for replacement". Obviously Trainworld is not a LHS and I don't believe they want to get involed with Walthers exchange/replacement program IMO I had a similar experience with Trainworld but they said ship it back and Trainworld will exchange it but I opted for the refund and it came PDQ. You can always call Walthers, 1-800-487-2467, Mike Federrly, ext 3267. To avoid any screw ups like this I demanded a letter from Phil Walthers before I buy any Rivarossi stock. You got a few options here.
When I first got my Berk, it also had a wobble. After some investigation, I found one of the holes that was drilled in one of the side rods was off center. I used the Dremel and just barely brushed against one side. This corrected the problem. Check the siderods on yours. You may have the same problem. Good luck!
Being a Rivarossi repairman.... I'll have to say chech the ecentric crank on BOTH sides. If this is slightly to one side or the other from axle centering of 15 degrees this is whats harping the preformance and is the main reason Rivarossi wobbles! The ecentric crack moves after a few revolutions an begins this "wobble" it throws the wheels out of ballence with the axle. Now don't take me wrong here. This ecentric crank on both sides HAS to be set at 15 degrees forth or rever from the axle center point, give or take ONE degree forward or reverse of 15 degrees. Its very slight, this is what makes the valve gear an all work to the revolution of the drivers. Its very common for this to happen on any steam loco thats got full valve gear... Main reason for alot of wobbling when not adjusted properly! HTH
