How good is the dockside switcher?

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Originally posted by Jonathan Bowman:

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I would use epoxy (super glue doesn't have much sheer strength) and also attach a metal plate across the break, preferably on the underside, using screws to reinforce it same as Chuck suggested.

Chuck and John,

Thanks so much for the advice. I am really unfamiliar with metal work, though. I know that a screw will bite into wood and plastic; does it do the same on metal? Is it the same procedure as for wood: pilot hole slightly smaller than shaft of screw, etc.? Or does the screw have to go the whole way through the pilot and be held tight with a nut on the other side? (That can't be what you mean--very unsightly.)

Really appreciate the advice.

Jonathan

First attach the broken piece with epoxy. Attach the plate with epoxy, then use at least a couple of small self tapping metal screws (assuming the pilot metal is thick enough). Just drill in as far as the screw is long minus the thickness of the backing plate. The drill size is smaller than the outer screw diameter so the threads get a bite but you don't have to force it in. The metal won't give like wood. If it doesn't want to turn then redrill the hole with the next larger size. Take your time. A little drop of oil when drilling will help.

This works for me, but I'm not a master metal worker...so if someone else has a better way feel free to comment.

John

id love to get this but i would want to upgrade it to tmcc any one done this or know if it can be done?

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Originally posted by nate the tank:
id love to get this but i would want to upgrade it to tmcc any one done this or know if it can be done?

I think it's been done before, but required a lot of interior modification to fit the TMCC boards. Those things are smaller than you'd expect.

Lionel managed to fit TMCC in the Trackmobile and a couple of Superstreets vehicles. Why can't they offer a small board for the 0-6-0?

John

Try a MiniCommander2 from ERR.

Built at the Vulcan Iron Works PA, we had some imported to Australia, a few still exist.

My thanks to the copyright holder.

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Originally posted by Dave Allen:
Built at the Vulcan Iron Works PA, we had some imported to Australia, a few still exist.

My thanks to the copyright holder.

We actually have some here that are even closer to the Lionel model (there also appears to be the same model used in the other scales too). For some reason, I can't find those pictures.

Jake, I love discovering American locos that were used in Australia, and when we have Australian prototype days, I pull out the dockside, the Shay, the E8's, the 44Tonner, and Mikados. And, I enjoy telling the ill-informed they are wrong!

I agree. I have 3-4 different road names and all are great except one. one seems to be locked up. Has anyone had to have any of these repaired? my thinking is I could probably replace cheaper than repairing.

JoeG

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Allen:
Jake, I love discovering American locos that were used in Australia, and when we have Australian prototype days, I pull out the dockside, the Shay, the E8's, the 44Tonner, and Mikados. And, I enjoy telling the ill-informed they are wrong!

Never realized they had shays in Australia. I've seen some pictures of some in Asia though, so I guess they could be anywhere.

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Originally posted by SantaFe158:

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Originally posted by Dave Allen:
Jake, I love discovering American locos that were used in Australia, and when we have Australian prototype days, I pull out the dockside, the Shay, the E8's, the 44Tonner, and Mikados. And, I enjoy telling the ill-informed they are wrong!

Never realized they had shays in Australia. I've seen some pictures of some in Asia though, so I guess they could be anywhere.

Jake they were used in shale mines just west of Sydney, in the Blue Mountains. The shale was mined to make kerosene.

This is the only pic I have seen of it.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Allen:

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Originally posted by SantaFe158:

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Allen:
Jake, I love discovering American locos that were used in Australia, and when we have Australian prototype days, I pull out the dockside, the Shay, the E8's, the 44Tonner, and Mikados. And, I enjoy telling the ill-informed they are wrong!

Never realized they had shays in Australia. I've seen some pictures of some in Asia though, so I guess they could be anywhere.

Jake they were used in shale mines just west of Sydney, in the Blue Mountains. The shale was mined to make kerosene.

Sounds like the right place for a shay to be