Odenville Bill posted:Here is my Lionel Tank Engine. Low gearing makes this a favorite on my elevations. A couple weeks ago, while performing switching service, there was a big spark and some noise, and the fun stopped. I found a roller pickup and a screw. There is something missing. Can anyone tell me what part I need to buy? I've got an excursion planned and need to add an executive car.
New traction tires are on hand.
Bill
A couple of solutions to this problem Put a washer under the head so it tightens down on the pickup base. Not always possible so time to shorten the screw. My favorite technique is to drill a hole in a piece of scrap metal put the screw in with washers and the nut to achieve the length needed . Rough cut the screw to approximate length with wire cutters then use a file to dress the screw to the exact length against the nut. The scrap metal forms a convenient handle to hold or put in a vice. One more thing to look at. Most of the Lionel pickup mounts I have seen over the last twenty years have a barrel nut inside the plastic insulator and a screw also comes down from the top inside the loco that holds the wire for the center rail pickup. You can put a washer under the head of that top screw inside the loco and get some room for the bottom screw to go in deeper. Below are a couple of pix showing how I trim tiny screws to length. I use a caliper to measure the length and diameter of the screw then drill a snug hole to mount the screw in my scrap of metal, adding the washers to adjust the length. I make my rough cut with snips then dress the screw down to the top of the nut with a file. Spend the $ for good USA made files (NICHOLSON) and a set of numbered drill bits. I try to not leave the end of screw shafts protruding anywhere let alone inside a model loco they are a magnet for catching wires, hands, clothes.... always cut them to length and dress with a good file. I'm sure this was redundant for most of the forum but just as sure many don't know how to shorten tiny screws to an exact length. Not quite the same as taking a hack saw to the 1/4" nut and bolt on the leg of your train table. j
