Brigadelok - advice needed

[gallopingalice]

Sorry Mike,
We all should have said

[Mike Floate]

Sorry Mike,
We all should have said

[Elmgate]

I believe the method to remove the mechanism from the body for all current Minitrains locos (except first generation Koppel, and the "original" Minitrains Baldwin and Plymouth diesel) is to unscrew the chimney, then pull hard to release the clip which hold the two together. I confess that this pull does need to be harder than you imagine, and you think you are going to break something!

[MickT]

To add to what Tim said, from experience (!) - unscrew the chimney or the screw that is in the chimney in the case of the F&C, but make sure you have your finger holding the cylinder assembly in place when you lift the body from the chassis, then when the body is off, put the screw back in which also secures the cylinder assembly (not counting the gmeinder diesel which don't have one stoopid) otherwise you will end up with bits of valve gear all over the floor/table with only a slim chance of ever getting things back together again!

I discovered this after being given a tray of a dozen F&C locos when helping out with the Thursday gang at Brian's sales department, and instructed to take bodies off to produce chassis for sale. Fortunately my learning curve was created on the first loco attempted so there was only one affected - when you see

[Mike Floate]

Thanks Mick. I've had an immediate reply from Andreas via the sales people which I am replying to (and grateful for).

I think that the repair guy is the best option as Andreas says 'The chassis and the overstructure are joint by a clip mechanism. No screw has to be taken out - just the chimeny needs to be removed and the chassis can be snapped out. This neverthjeless already requires some thought. I found that inserting a small screwdriver under the cab roof and carefully pressing the motor with flywheel downward is the least problematic way to get the chassis loose. The two wires that connect the mechansim with the rectifier board inside the upper structure are in danger at this moment.

But then - what do you do with the loosened chassis?'

How do I get in touch with Ian Turner? Seems I need his expertise.

It's my first go at 009 since 1972 so a big learning curve. I'll make sure my next posts are the layout and 3d printed body I've just had through the post.

[petersmith1942]

yes, do Mike and don't let it disillusion you
Peter Smith

[Mike Floate]

Cheers Peter! I'm seeing it all as problem solving, the job I've just finished teaching D&T for 35 years. Nice to put my advice to others into action

[MickT]

How do I get in touch with Ian Turner? Seems I need his expertise.

It's my first go at 009 since 1972 so a big learning curve. I'll make sure my next posts are the layout and 3d printed body I've just had through the post.

Suggest you contact Brian Guilmant in the first instance (contact details under Sales Officer in 009 News) and ask him for advice and/or if required for him to ask Ian to contact you. I'm very confident that a solution can be found through the Society "system" for you.

Mick

[Mike Floate]

Cheers Mick. I did email Brian and he forwarded it onto Andreas. I've asked him for Ian's details so hope it can be sorted.

[Mike Floate]

Just to wrap things up I sent the loco to Ian, he has repaired it and posted it back. The loco now runs well, better than ever I'd say. The problem was a tooth a the smallest srocket having broken. I can't recommend Ian enough, great service.

The big tip is not to try and get inside the body if anyone else hits problems!

[Mike Floate]

Info here for Royce - good luck whichever way you decide to proceed!