Weaver Models Parts Inventory?

P&D has some replacement parts.

https://www.pdhobbyshop.com/St...p?cPath=23_26_37_104

Pete

In my experience, P&D doesn't have a lot of 3-Rail parts. But maybe they know who might. I'll check.
Surely somebody has Weaver's old inventory?

Bob Lavezzi . He is a TCA member who sets up in the Orange Hall at York.

The drive towers are compatible.  If you're ordering from Pat you should know, the 2-rail models used an 8-tooth upper sprocket, which allows them to run at a slower speed.  Weaver "dumbed down" the 3-rail version because the zoom-zoom toy train guys complained these locos were too slow.  If you plan to doublehead, change your whole fleet!  There are also aftermarket towers that allow you to customize the ratios down to a crawl, and are worth it IMO:

https://www.finescale360.com/p...s/weaver-chain-drive

https://www.finescale360.com/b...justable-drive-tower

I would believe that the 3-rail wheelsets are harder to find.  And traction tires, they're evil, I tell ya. Evil!    In all seriousness you don't have a lot of options there.  IIRC, the Weaver wheels are undersized (less than the prototypical 40".)  Maybe an MTH subway tire, but the Weaver grooves are also quite narrow.

If you strike out on tires, I would replace the grooved wheelset with a non-grooved one from a donor loco.  Then, gin up a heavy brass or slab steel replacement frame for the OEM plastic one (like what was created in 2-rail for the Red Caboose GP9.)  Find a machine shop, pay them to make a few, and sell the extras to your friends   Unless your grades are unrealistic, pulling power should be sufficient.  Gravity works 24 hours a day and it never wears out.  There is no substitute for good old fashioned weight!

"Great performance without gimmicks, it just runs better because it's made right."

rheil posted:

Bob Lavezzi . He is a TCA member who sets up in the Orange Hall at York.

They had a lot of steam parts for sale. Or you might be able to pick a few on the "bay" for cheap and just use the drives. 

P&D has all the gear parts for the Weaver style drives, although not sure about the sprocket differences.    He had Alco trucks still in stock last time I checked, but no emd side frames.     He did have all the gear tower parts but I don't know about the 3 rail sprockets.

Ted S posted:

The drive towers are compatible.  If you're ordering from Pat you should know, the 2-rail models used an 8-tooth upper sprocket, which allows them to run at a slower speed.  Weaver "dumbed down" the 3-rail version because the zoom-zoom toy train guys complained these locos were too slow.  If you plan to doublehead, change your whole fleet!  There are also aftermarket towers that allow you to customize the ratios down to a crawl, and are worth it IMO:

https://www.finescale360.com/p...s/weaver-chain-drive

https://www.finescale360.com/b...justable-drive-tower

I would believe that the 3-rail wheelsets are harder to find.  And traction tires, they're evil, I tell ya. Evil!    In all seriousness you don't have a lot of options there.  IIRC, the Weaver wheels are undersized (less than the prototypical 40".)  Maybe an MTH subway tire, but the Weaver grooves are also quite narrow.

If you strike out on tires, I would replace the grooved wheelset with a non-grooved one from a donor loco.  Then, gin up a heavy brass or slab steel replacement frame for the OEM plastic one (like what was created in 2-rail for the Red Caboose GP9.)  Find a machine shop, pay them to make a few, and sell the extras to your friends   Unless your grades are unrealistic, pulling power should be sufficient.  Gravity works 24 hours a day and it never wears out.  There is no substitute for good old fashioned weight!

"Great performance without gimmicks, it just runs better because it's made right."

Bullfrog Snot for "traction tires. Cut off the old traction tire and with a flathead screwdriver blade spread (like butta) the snot into the groove. Give it a few days to dry and you are good to go!