I've been lurking here for awhile & I've been getting alot of ideas about a new layout. at the moment I've just got a small test track. My original layout plan was to use 2 hcd's in an L shape but thats changed as I didnt have as much room as I originally thought. I've got a couple boards one is 2x3ft and the other is 14"x48". I could combine them and make a logging layout. however the trackplan eludes me. I got this old 4-6-2 awhile back and after some searching I identified it as a Arnold-Rapido. The guy I got it from said it hasnt been run in over 25 years. the axles on the tender seem to have some rust on them and I noticed that it runs really smooth at high speed but trying to make it go slow it struggles. heres a picture of right after I pulled it from the box. I tried to convert the tender to use a kadee coupler but it was more work then I first anticipated so for now it stays with the rapido coupler I decided to make a set of elephant ears for it out of some thin styrene. I taped them in place to see what they would look like on the locomotive I like it but I think it needs a different tender, maybe a Vanderbilt one
Welcome aboard. Sure enough you have an ancient Arnold Pacific. I also have one and put a Bachmann all wheel pickup tender on it and it made a world of diference in running. Wont help the low speed start though. You are off to a good start and are lucky to have come to the best place on earth for help and encouragement. And remember....have fun! Oh, and feel free to ask questions.
Welcome to the Trainboard Yoater. Looks like you have a good plan in mind already and some equipment to get you off to a nice start. I can't wait to see your progress, and as I'm sure you know ask away as the spirit moves you. Happy Railroading
Welcome to the board. Originally those ancient locos only had two speeds, go really fast and stop. Their motors would needed every volt of the 16 those old transformers put out. Judging by the trucks on the tender you have a very early loco. But if the brushes are not ground to nothing and the motor coils have not cooked off their enamel. You might find a good motor in there. I have an Arnold steeple cab that I revived. My best tools were a can of RC electric motor cleaner and motor lube. It's still not perfect but it runs a lot better now. But in the end you may have to modernize the motor. Don't be afraid to clean the heck out of the whole drive train. Get yourself a NMRA gauge to make sure the wheels are in gauge, this too will affect performance. Make sure that the siderods do not bind or the rivets/screws are too tight. Clean and lube these too. The steam guys can give you better tune-up tips than I can though.
thanks for the welcomes I'll have a look at the motor in the next few days and let you guys know. Also is there any way to get replacement traction tires for it? it looks like there is a channel for them on the rear drivers but they seemed to have vanished.
