Building an Arbour Models 2-8-4 kit: Mechanism - Part 1

[@garyjust.johnson1436]

Very nice!

[@Graulas]

model kit building is a good way to get familiar with parts and pieces of model locomotives

[@jeffreymcneal1507]

Amazing. Well edited video.

[@MrRailroadrunner]

Looks good so far! Always wanted to build a berk, so I may have to look for one of these things.

[@IGaveUpSecondsAgo]

Just save the search, arbour HO kit. That's how I found my Sierra 3. There've been a lot of these jerks lately.

[@IGaveUpSecondsAgo]

*kits

[@IGaveUpSecondsAgo]

Good job so far! I have purchased the Sierra Railway 3 4-6-0 from them, it came together nicely. I'm excited for part 2.

[@DarthSantaFe]

That was one of the kits I considered when looking for an Arbour kit. The wide selection of unique and interesting steam engines of all sizes was one of the great things about them, and I wish someone else would get the same idea! All the metal work and drilling put a good blister on my finger, so I took a break to let it heal. Should be able to get back to it soon though.

[@victorvillari-fc1rz]

Would you attempt to build an Arbour Allegheny for a customer or for your collection?

[@garyfaliabalanos1506]

I believe you should lubricate the axles so they dont freeze as much. I have an AHM kit, unmotorized, of an IHB 0-8-0, which I apparently screwed up. I lubricated the axles and they turned very freely.

[@DarthSantaFe]

The axles were all oiled. The problem was the shape of the slots wasn't perfectly round, so it was grabbing the axle. This is the only kit I've ever built that's had this problem, but it's fixed now!

[@jefflynnalex]

Great work so far. I'm a little surprised that the wheels didn't require quartering. Is that the original motor? Thought these came with Can motors.

[@DarthSantaFe]

Thanks! The wheels are all quartered to about 88 degrees or so, and the axle is knurled, so changing the quarter to 90 degrees is near impossible without extensive rework. It will never run perfect, but it should still be good at least. The open-frame motor is the one that came with it, and they switched to a can motor and one piece siderods later on.

[@EdwinsTrains]

Is it possible to find new frames, wheels, rods, and a motor for one of these?

[@DarthSantaFe]

Unfortunately no, at least not without getting another kit. Since the metal for these kits is a little softer, it may be possible to repurpose another 2-8-4 chassis from someone like Rivarossi or Bachmann and modify the Arbour body to fit.

[@EdwinsTrains]

@@DarthSantaFe OK, thank you for telling me.

[@EdwinsTrains]

@@DarthSantaFe Do you know what motor they used in these?

[@DarthSantaFe]

@@EdwinsTrains I think Hobbytown has a similar open frame motor available. It’s not on the parts list, but you can contact them about it: hobbytownofboston.com If you want to give it an upgrade, I used this coreless motor in my Bowser 4-8-2 with great results: www.eBay.com/itm/123503696824

[@diesel10rules23]

A kit I can barely put the tender on my locomotive

[@josephstewart105]

please tell me where I can get one of those

[@DarthSantaFe]

These have been out of production for well over 30 years, so you'll have to search train shows and auction sites to find one. I got this one off eBay.

[@SoniaMekail]

Am kit buy in Pakistan

[@MartinSBrown-tp9ji]

Why would you waste your talent on a garbage made model that has substandard materiel as a base?

[@DarthSantaFe]

Building a kit like this could be considered a test of skill. It's easier to build a complicated but well-engineered model than it is to build one that's really poorly engineered. It was a lot of work, but the end results were worth it!

[@MartinSBrown-tp9ji]

@@DarthSantaFe OK, It; your time and money but don't expect poor quality materiel to run well for a long time. I know from experience. I am 84 years old and have been in this hobby all my life. Good luck.

[@DarthSantaFe]

@@MartinSBrown-tp9ji Thanks for the warning! I am aware of the material’s poor longevity, and should the time come that the frame and rods wear out, I do know I can make some new brass bearings pretty easily to keep it going.