Yesterday, a generous colleague gave me a couple boxes of trains that her family wanted to go away. Knowing that I like trains, of various scales, she had already given me some Lionel stuff, but that another story. In this box, among many other things, was a Union Pacific SW7 switcher manufactured by Revell. I haven't had the chance to see if it works, but it was obvious that it originally had some kind of belt drive. But just as clearly, it no longer had a belt. Since there was no accompanying information, and since I wasn't even aware that Revell made HO trains (in the 50's) until yesterday, I have no idea what that might have been like. So, I'm guessing that someone here has seen one, or even owns one. What kind of belt does it use? If I want to clean this critter up and get it running, what can I use as a replacement? Rubber bands, hair ties? Thanks.
Does yours have the pulley wheels on the shafts? Hair bands might be too thick, and you want something with friction to prevent the band from slipping. Athearn also made band-drive locomotives (RDC, Hustler, F7). You can find reproduction bands on ebay, which would probably work in the Revell models too. The Athearn rotary snowplow also uses a band drive from the front truck to spin the blades. I think Revell later redesigned their model with a gear drive, and the same occurred with many of the Athearn belt drive models too. I have also heard of people using the orthodontic bands used with braces to repower band-drive models. They are produced in different diameters and strengths, so if you have access to a dentist office, they may be able to give you some samples to test.
I have rebanded a couple "HI-FI" drives with hair bands from the dollar store. Works very well. Later Richard
To clarify they are very small rubber bands. Mine came 500 to a package sold in the hair care section at Dollar Tree. Later Richard
Awesome. Thanks everyone. I have a couple bags of rubber bands that I saved from our daughter's days of orthodontia. I'll try that first. If that doesn't work, I'll try to figure out what size hair band will be needed. Again, thanks. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk
A quick update: While I repairs are probably still some time in the future, I did get this critter connected to power and the motor runs like a champ. So, since it looks like what will, eventually be a nice little engine (once it gets a thorough cleaning and a tune-up), it has definitely earned a place on the repair list. To be continued...
Oh yes. Although he was firmly a steam person, he also did some advertising photos on his Gorre & Daphetid layout. One I seem to recall from the Kalmbach book on his life, was a posed SW.
That Revell SW7 was part of a set we had as our Christmas layout. It was all Revell and consisted of the engine and 3 cars including caboose as far as I can remember. Would you be so kind as to post a photo? Love to see one again.
