Can We Make This 70s Life Like Military Locomotive Run Again?

One of the train shops in the area bought this locomotive in some kind of lot. They tested it and found out it was no longer in working order so I offered to fix it up for them.
After testing it myself it was clear that something was wrong with the gearbox. As it would turn out, the drive was packed with old grease which had hardened over the years.

[@brentpodoll5848]

Hi from North Dakota USA. I have been watching and learning from you for years now. Most times when you tear down these disgusting locomotives you will say it's not the worst you ever seen. Do you have a video of the worse you have ever done.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks for your comment. Here are a few of the worst I've worked on: 1953 Varney RS3 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYWmqpyHf6iGmMk&t= 1950s Marx f-unit - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqivioSnbLRnbJY&t= 1950s Varney f-unit - kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6bEmnSKdrB3kKM

[@csxnspittsburghdivision8580]

Stm main line I think maybe ai got scam with the christmas give away

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

@@SMTMainline THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING MY COMMENT.

[@RandomTrainfan]

Today folks I will be restoring a nuclear bomb from my local hobby shop

[@osteinfels]

…

[@vuurvrrailfanner4656]

😂

[@SMTMainline]

Wellll folks

[@DisneyWish2023]

Lol

[@farmerdave09]

Lolll

[@modelmainline7278]

This video was the perfect way to start my Sunday. Nice restoration, too!

[@SMTMainline]

Glad to hear it :)

[@Kanikalion]

Keep up the great videos. Working my way into the hobby and have learned A TON watching your 'Can we make it run again' series.

[@SMTMainline]

I'm happy to hear that, I've learned a lot from many people commenting so I try to share what I can.

[@paulbervid1610]

Look at that. Harrison giving the army back it's motive power. Great work. Great video.

[@SMTMainline]

Absolutely, Canada needs it lol

[@andrewwillard5625]

Something so special about seeing these old school trains getting some good old love and care again.

[@DowneastProductions211]

Man it’s always a great day when SMT posts! Great to see that loco running!

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you so kindly!

[@crsrdash-840b5]

Another happy locomotive. I give you credit for cleaning the comertator(?) I've been in the hobby since 1992 and I am not as confident in disassembling or cleaning mine. Although I have cleaned some of my Athearns.

[@midhamm]

Commutator

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks for the comment. Yes, the commutator is important, I didn't know that in the beginning.

[@Mike__B]

I'm not usually one to criticize someone's art, as I have no skills myself, but that paint job looks more like some alien leopard with green spots 🤣🤣

[@SMTMainline]

It was not well done lol.

[@mercuryoak2]

That's really cool I just needed a little bit of TLC to get it running properly. I actually like the fact that it has that soft glow of the light bulb coming through both lenses on the front of the locomotive and it makes it look more authentic. You are correct though I did see a varney drive system on a locomotive either at the flea market or the train show that I recently went to a couple weeks ago and it was exactly the same way. Nice job as always

[@jbernardize]

I would be willing to bet that SMT winds up owning that loco.

[@SMTMainline]

There is a chance but I've gotta choose wisely at this point.

[@BriansModelTrains]

Great video. Keep them coming. I always learn something new and love your restore process.

[@williamsantangelo]

Hi Harrison as always a great repair job! Happy Holiday season too you and family! Thank You!

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@erickescalante3289]

Wow great work 👏 😉

[@normancoreyBuildingTrains]

Nice work as always.

[@Syracuse_rail_product]

Another amazing video of SMT fixing and making old ho things run again

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you so kindly!

[@yambo59]

Best you could hope for from an old Lifelike -

[@SMTMainline]

Pretty much!

[@joallawestervelt6918]

Awesomeness!! Your train club should be really happy with "The Harrison Touch". She is running like crazy. So cool to see. All those military cars behind her is incredible. Way to go Harrison! Merry Christmas to you and your family. 💕😊

[@SMTMainline]

Merry Christmas to you and your family as well!

[@sort187]

Never seen a camo pattern like that before. Possibly the paint shop had a giraffe fan....

[@SMTMainline]

They must have been.

[@mightychilster6215]

Another great rebuild vid. I'm saving this too my library of different motor type teardowns. BTW, I also received that same military train as a Christmas present as a kid in the '70's. It was my first model railroad kit. My favorite rolling stock from that kit was the tank buster boxcar.

[@SMTMainline]

It's a mighty set

[@dbtech7914]

Good job! Those motors are pretty strong.

[@MattKonsol]

Yea seems like they are though.

[@SMTMainline]

They sure are

[@Gravity461]

I'm pretty sure I have one similar to this that was my grandfathers, in the soo line paint scheme. I'll have to take a look at it again to see if I can get it going, I think it as well had gearbox problems last time I checked.

[@michaelhardeman6004]

That's some nice work you did Harrison. I'm going to have to relubant my two bachmann locomotives.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks

[@lynnzi3d]

Looks like a well run carpet layout runner . Great job buddy 🎉👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@SMTMainline]

It had to have been.

[@christophermondone6864]

You did a great job harrison on this restoting life back into a great engine. thanks for the video

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you so kindly!

[@SantaFeBob]

Another success story. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@elleryparsons2433]

Hey Harrison I noticed you have The Ability to Fix Engines. I Think I am Gonna Call ya Dr Locomotive cause you Bring A Good Percent of Engines to Brings it to Life Keep up the Awsome Work.Buddy.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks a bunch!

[@johnellick7778]

Great job getting it running again. I loved the big gun car. Very cool 😎

[@MattKonsol]

Wow man what a runner that is! I call it a wonderful success though.

[@SMTMainline]

Not too bad, eh?

[@elleryparsons2433]

You Rock Harrison!

[@MMRails]

Over 70K subscribers!! Incredible. You’re growing faster than my Chia pet. Great job on the fix. Now Lark Spur can sell it to you for $40. Lol.

[@SMTMainline]

A chia pet?! Haven't heard about those in a while. Hopefully larkspur will be happy with the repair lol

[@strobson1]

Super awesome military consist

[@nitrorrat8190]

Awesome set love the military

[@ksfisher1990]

The tooth brush and dish soap! Such a good way to do a thorough job. Thought I was the only one..

[@alanwbelcher]

Wow, that’s a loud one for sure! No need for sound decoder in that old runner.

[@SMTMainline]

Free sound system.

[@davidztog9011]

Quick, easy fix this time for you, Harrison. You mentioned it belongs to the local shop, but once they see it running on your layout with the military consist, maybe they'll just say keep it. Are the traction tires going to hold up? You may want to keep a jar of Bullfrog Snot on hand for makeshift traction tires. Thanks for sharing. 👍🎄👍

[@SMTMainline]

We'll see, I have several other locomotives of theirs to repair.

[@nathanieldaiken1064]

The cannon was nicknamed "Atomic Annie". It was made to fire tactical nuke 155 shells. My fellow service men did the railhead thing with troop car, SP cannons (M 109), and supply trucks.

[@randallellison6421]

Very cool Harrison!

[@stacy3]

Amazing video

[@KCDash4400cw]

That's a pretty interesting looking loco Also I finished my Christmas submission

[@SMTMainline]

Right on, I will check it out.

[@irenecraggs6123]

that thing turned out great gave it life again great job👍

[@dinnerfromthediningcar1080]

A whole lot of "yuck" in that gearbox, but hey - Dr. Harrison is on the case!!! And as usual - Dr. Harrison has a successful surgery!!!! Great job, Doc!!!!

[@SMTMainline]

It was pretty bad.

[@JBofBrisbane]

Almost sounds like a proper EMD diesel.

[@wowdad3055]

Nice you done it again awesome.

[@adriansmith1358]

Great to see you working on this loco, the video where you found it was cool

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks

[@actorprosvintagetrains7217]

Love your vids even though I’m a o gauge collector I started with Ho

[@oskarvalance3041]

Cool vid. You're the man. Go Horns in the Alamobowl.

[@thatsimulatorguy]

I just got a bunch of old locomotives… and most of them don’t run. What sucks is some of the stuff looks like he was trying to make something out of what couldn’t exist… and custom painting most of the locomotives. It also appears to contain a “fleishmann” steam locomotive where he turned it into a tender driven j3 steam locomotive with CP colors and diesel trucks. The locomotive that it’s pairs too has lost it’s back truck, and the motor seems to be gutted. And that’s 1 locomotive out of 30!

[@SMTMainline]

That's unfortunate, hopefully you can get some spares for them.

[@MikeMusic278]

SMT your literally my favorite KZbinr. You are the best model train KZbinr of all time. You taught me how to fix my HO trains and I love your videos. Your videos will never disappoint.

[@SMTMainline]

I really appreciate that!

[@agressive_cementbag]

thats awsome

[@irenecraggs6123]

nice restoration harrison we have another runner

[@timnell207]

“Blown away “ by the cannon. Very punny.😅

[@SMTMainline]

Hahaha

[@thehallfamilylightshow]

SMT is like a Chiropractic with trains XD

[@SMTMainline]

Pretty much lol

[@realcanadian96]

Ah, looks very military

[@user-ex3fi7om3j]

Hi I'm from nsw Australia love your videos keep up the good work harrason

[@jcure]

hey Harrison, remember way back where I have mentioned I flew to Las Vegas with Eric Roberts (the young RRer, Buck in Runaway Train and a million other movies) well I mentioned him in a tweet as to what a classy dude he was and he actually dropped me a note back and thanked me! So Cool, made my Christmas!. Anyway, nothing to do with your restore; you always win on those; but since you are probably the only person with an actual Run Away train; I thought I share. CHeerS PS dunno if I will do your contest this year, if I do it will be with another account. I know your pal Peter had one in in like 5 minutes! I told him I'd help in edit it, but he couldn't wait lol. He is such a fan-boi ! He is still crying he wants you to open his damn box. I know some of what is in there, and you should, some is tools. (hint) Also I got a box from him with hopper he had found (it's pretty cool) and half the box was peppermint candies. So be aware. Merry Christmas

[@SMTMainline]

Gotta love it when famous people like that are so chill. I'm excited to see peter's entry and yes, I do plan on opening that box. I know I've been saying that for a while but he specified that he wanted me to open it with the family and we all have different schedules.

[@Petemonster62]

SMT - There have been a few HO scale Army trains made by different manufacturers over the last decades, so you probably could find an Army caboose for the train.

[@EasternMaineRailfan]

Sick

[@distanthelicopter32]

Military train so cool

[@Dominic_Kim-]

I LOVE THE RAIL CANNON

[@zyklose8565]

Congratulations on 70k subscribers 🎉

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you so kindly!

[@GaryDavis-ir6fh]

good deal, new life for an old soldier!

[@PapaMav]

Excellent suggestion on taking apart a new to you, loco, that you don't know the history of.

[@unclejohnieplays5651]

That cannon car is the bomb

[@crecencioresendiz2831]

Saludos hermosa locomotora

[@district2productions]

Awesome

[@mercuryoak2]

Did you guys actually watch the video before you comment? Just curious

[@district2productions]

@@mercuryoak2 why should you care

[@mercuryoak2]

@@district2productions wow you little children are so sensitive. The reason why I asked is because it's funny how he posts a video and it's not even a minute later and there's comments on it. Most people at least watch the video then comment afterwards unless they're hyper skipping through the video

[@SMTMainline]

@@mercuryoak2 It's alright ether way, they're being supportive :)

[@mercuryoak2]

@@SMTMainline I understand that but I also know that you put a lot of work into your videos. And I would have hoped that they all watch it in entirety

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

That Life-Like F7A locomotive was made before 1981 the year they switched over to the pancake motor.

[@michaelmorgan7893]

I think whoever lubed that thing was a good amalgamist to be able to turn premium crude to crud. But I have confidence in your abilities to make it go. I recently made a couple Bachmann F7 B's spring back to life, after watching what you do.

[@SMTMainline]

Yeah, someone went a but crazy with the oil.

[@johnrobertfox7775]

THAT WAS REALLY GREAT TO KEEP IT ALL ORIGINAL THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO GO ! BUT IF THE DRIVE DID NOT WORK ,TAKE AN ATHEARN POWERED CHASSIS , ADD DCC AND SOUND DETAIL THE HECK OUT OF IT ! IN OTHERWORDS KIT BASH , KIT BASH , KIT BASH ! JUST DEW WHAT CHA LIKE ! 😎

[@SMTMainline]

I don't think I would bother with a locomotive like this unless it was sentimental :)

[@johnrobertfox7775]

@@SMTMainline TRUE SO TRUE ! , BUT SOME TIMES IT IS KOOL TO HAVE SOMETHING NO ONE ELSE HAS ! REAL RAILROADS DO !

[@haroldalexis4200]

At first i thought it was a MANTUA engine. Was i wrong. I new as soon as you put power in this F 7 LIFE LIKE Diesel it will take off on your layout. The military set MODEL POWER also had these sets. Good repair SMT. 👍

[@SMTMainline]

They used a fairly similar design at that point.

[@mrsillycats]

i've got one of those supply cars too!

[@danielcapo1991]

Marry Christmas to you and your family from Daniel’s train in west islip New York

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks, same to you!

[@jsiahmgt241]

WOW

[@flatlandsline1968]

Those military cars are cool I have that big gun to but I also have a box car that has flip down sides to show to big guns

[@SMTMainline]

They did a great job with it.

[@JohnJohnson-cn9fh]

best thing,good old soapy water

[@SMTMainline]

It's not bad.

[@jesikebiking]

======OMG what a mess=================The car looks great the Guns of Navatone

[@B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont]

Can it run again? I had some Life-Like engines in the 1970s and they barely ran then. I had a set of GP38's - probably the nicest body shells I had up to that point, but the drive was abysmal.

[@GaryDavis-ir6fh]

oh yeah! she ll ride the rails again

[@PWaco-yq7wr]

Did you see your Christmas card videos one Dunsmuir CA and Revelstoke's BC?.

[@bryanwhat2268]

Well that the first time Ive seen you give the drive a bubble bath

[@SMTMainline]

This one was bad enough to but it's not the first time I've done it.

[@callingalltrainfans9891]

Nice video! When is the deadline for Christmas contest videos?

[@SMTMainline]

Dec 25th.

[@User58747]

I wish I could do what you do - I have no electrical/mechanical sense at all. Every time I try and fix a loco, I always end up with something worse off than I started with!!!

[@tompaul2591]

Does anyone know if and where you can get the drive gears? I have 2 which are cracked on 2 separate locomotives. Thanks in advance. I'll check the train shows next time. eBay was a no go

[@johnramirez5996]

Awesome 👍 got few more myself. Messing with n scale. 3x3. Picked up cpl n scale engines at Lansing train show last month. Con-cor SP daylight Japan edition for $8. No box though. I also got small atlas switcher. Custom painted blue with BWS or BSW ( can't remember) on side of cab. Looked for it never heard of it. Got it home and on track away she went. The other one never moved. I don't think it's ever had any maintenance done on it at all. Great shape... Question for you. I need brush and springs for cpl of my n scales? Atlas and Kato. Company?

[@SMTMainline]

I'm not sure if the Kato parts department would have that, spare parts tend to be nightmare to get ahold of.

[@loucosmotivaferromodelismo6560]

Muito legal F7

[@cameronpiper6125]

Hi SMT mainline I’m looking to restore ho scale engines what tools and stuff would I need because I have some engines that don’t work and I want to work on them

[@ethanfitton6336]

i belive it is called the gustav. biggest gun delvoped by the germans.

[@micoasters]

This is Kinda off topic but I have an old tyco power torque that the pivot gear keeps comming off, I’ve tried to glue it and it just broke the glue. Do you have any ideas on what I could do? It’s a Durango if that helps

[@SMTMainline]

Sometimes you can solder the metal gear but you have to be careful not to melt the plastic ones around it.

[@micoasters]

@@SMTMainline Thanks, it worked. Not I can run a 2 loco consist with my other Durango

[@vincentandhimi6990]

I posted my Christmas display!

[@csxnspittsburghdivision8580]

Stm main line I got a ho scale Wabash Avenue trolley and do have Wabash Avenue trolley

[@SMTMainline]

Awesome!

[@TooManyHobbiesJeremy]

Nice job on the repair. What were you using to clean the front wheels?

[@dupity1]

I think it was box cutter, right tool for that amount of gross!

[@mercuryoak2]

Look like to me he was using a piece of track bright track cleaner. Some people use Scotch Brite pads some people use track brite .some people also use the fiberglass pencil

[@TooManyHobbiesJeremy]

Thank you it's small size had me wondering.

[@mercuryoak2]

@@TooManyHobbiesJeremy no problem. I try to help out as best as I can but I also don't want to overstep things and then you got some people that take it insulting. But as somebody else said yeah he used a utility knife to clean out the rug hair or whatever the heck was in that gearbox it did look disgusting I almost gagged LOL

[@SMTMainline]

It was a piece of a peco track cleaner.

[@normancoreyBuildingTrains]

Good day A. Live stream please.

[@claudepoiron]

Hi. Would you consider fixing my ddx40 with two motors. One motor missing. Not sure what make it is but it’s got those pancake motors.

[@SMTMainline]

Hey, I now only do localized repairs.

[@troyglazathefurry]

Hey smt I have a tyco silver streak 4301 it runs well but it’s flanges hit the rail jointers and it derails is it a wheel issue? And it’s missing traction tires where can I get some?

[@SMTMainline]

You can sometimes use heat shrink tubing.

[@troyglazathefurry]

@@SMTMainline how could I use heat shrink tubing on a wheel?

[@Petemonster62]

@@SMTMainline - Didn't you find some O-rings in a Dollar Store that worked good for traction tires? To use heat shrink tubing, would you slide the tubing onto a rod & use a sharp X-Acto knife to cut around the tubing?

[@jamesdenny4734]

Did they nickname that locomotive 'the Jimmy Durante'? Because of the headlight!? 😊

[@SMTMainline]

I don't understand the joke

[@jamesdenny4734]

@SMTMainline Jimmy Durante was an American entertainer back in the 50-60's he had a big nose 👃 the headlight on that engine looks like a big nose. Sorry, I thought you'd get the reference. Google him, that might help.

[@timpriddy349]

Q-tips

[@kaedenthecsxamtrakandthoma8318]

2:14 what happened to the gears

[@chrisfoster5717]

I have a question what's the smallest track layout you can get by with for a HO train

[@SMTMainline]

15R so a small to medium locomotive could turn 180 within 30 inches of space.

[@chrisfoster5717]

Reason why I'm asking is I'm thinking about getting my first train set when I get the money.

[@bummeroni]

Weird, I'm not seeing any engine.

[@4everdc302]

A good Land of Misfit toys SMT manual chapter😋 🚂🇨🇦🙋

[@SMTMainline]

Haha, absolutely!