Disgusting 1950s RS3 Locomotive - Can We Make It Run?

I picked up this 1950s die-cast Hobby Town RS3 locomotive on eBay over a year ago in a scrap lot. It appears to have been poorly assembled and the gear boxes were absolutely disgusting as they were packed with dry grease and dirt. This is a challenge in comparison with what I usually work with but with a bit of effort, can it run again?
Fiberglass pencil: amzn.to/2VeB6CU (affiliate) USA

[@randysuffens1200]

There was never any doubt that you'd get it running. I have no real skills whatever with such things but, after watching your videos, I could manage a simple fix; this project was definitely post graduate level, though!

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks. I'm still learning everyday but I try to share what I know.

[@claytons8263]

@@SMTMainline Well you know a heck of a lot more then I do at this point in time.

[@General_Taylor]

@@SMTMainline the lights are gone...

[@SMTMainline]

@@General_Taylor No, they’ve been reinstalled. This was just mechanical work, the cosmetic work was done later ( see latest video )

[@sdrc92126]

"Putting a locomotive on the track can reveal a lot about what can be wrong with it"... . . It's dead, Jim.

[@SMTMainline]

In this case it didn't reveal much.

[@JBofBrisbane]

"What am I, a doctor or a locomotive fitter?"

[@josepherhardt164]

@@JBofBrisbane What's kinda depressing is how many of us here actually _get_ that reference. ;)

[@Zebrails]

SMT... what a beautiful effort you put into this locomotive. From Gunk to "Golly, it's Alive!" And you've taught quite a few of us that these type of oldies mixed up are great diesels in true life... and that motor purr is classic! Wonderful job, Bravo! I'm so impressed! John Kamloops, BC

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks a bunch!

[@RailfanLoy]

My grand parents got me a old Bachman Gravy train set from the 80s

[@SMTMainline]

Nice :)

[@tommurphy4307]

for dog food? why didn't they get you a new set?- were you bad?

[@JakeWycoff-bi8hn]

That's unesisary ​@@tommurphy4307

[@alanwbelcher]

Wow! Good work! Those old Hobbytown drives are tough, and heavy. This should pull more cars than a lot of your engines. A suggestion on paint remover: try using brake fluid. If it doesn't work heat it up slightly (careful with plastic shells). I've stripped hundreds of model RR engines & cars with that method over 40 years.

[@hexxoid9263]

Great suggestion on the brake fluid, I've also used oven cleaner with great success.

[@SMTMainline]

Wish I had thought of that. I should get a couple cans because it can apparently also make a good starting fluid.

[@southaussiegarbo2054]

@@SMTMainline buy some nulon start 'ya' basted that stuff works well

[@TrainNerdWill]

Before resorting to brake fluid or oven cleaner, try a soak in 99 percent isopropyl alcohol. It will lift most factory paint, and isn't nearly as noxious. Forget Kato paint, though. That stuff needs to be grit-blasted off.

[@specialopsdave]

Doesn't brake cleaner eat into the plastic, though?

[@growlusnotneeded3251]

It was a pleasure to watch, not like some restoration videos i've seen where they pretend to restore but they swap out so many parts without implying so they can look like the genius restorer.

[@hopstrr]

Outstanding job Harrison! The future of our hobby is bright as long as younger folks as yourself are a part of it. Please continue to keep you and your loved ones well and keep up the great work keeping these treasures out of landfills.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@traintraveler5413]

I got out of VR to be greeted with this today is a good day

[@SMTMainline]

Happy to hear that :)

[@TheParkAttendant]

I got Lionel Train Set in 1959. We spent many hours playing with that set. Thanks for rescuing this wonderful piece of childhood memories.

[@tommurphy4307]

back then none of us knew what a wonderful piece was

[@MirceaD28]

The way the mechanism is made is pure quality. Great job from you. That was a dead and gone one but because of you is alive again.

[@johnellick7778]

It fought you all the way,but you conquered it in the end and it ran around the track. As you say "Serenity."Great job 👏

[@swapmeetlus4096]

I was about to comment, “get yourself a can of carburetor cleaner for those greasy parts!”, than you busted out the diesel lol. I’ve been watching your videos for a long time now and you keep on getting better young man! You keep making model railroaders old and young proud SMT! Keep at it good buddy.

[@Shinzon23]

The Omnisiah thanks you for bringing back the Machine Spirit of this little train. May you revive many more.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@randallellison6421]

Nice Alco RS-3 Harrison and to answer your questions on if Great Northern owned any, the answer is yes, in fact there is footage of these units (see the DVD "Empire Of The North: The Forming Of The Burlington Northern" as one example), unfortunately I do not know how many GN had or their number series at the moment, but a quick Google search should turn something up! The colors you used are very close to the prototype GN units with the exception that there is a green strip that runs the length of the car body on the locomotive, there is also a GN herald on the cab with the road number on the long hood, hope this helps, happy new year!

[@BroWCarey]

And Harrison resurrects yet another hopelessly dead locomotive! Amazing work.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@Trains-With-Shane]

Very interesting mechanism. That thing was certainly destined for the trash can before you got to it. I wouldn't be surprised if the current draw stays high. Electric motors have made leaps over the decades in regards to efficiency with better materials, especially for the magnets and brushes. I am concerned about the one knuckle on the dogbone that goes from the motor to the flywheel. It seems like it will be only a matter of time before it walks out of the cup. May want to put a spot of glue on it. Same with the cups on the trucks. They don't look like they want to stay. Likely due to shrinkage in the plastics or nylon over the years opening up tolerances not making a tight press fit anymore.

[@arrow1414]

No it wasn't made for the trash can. In its day it was a top of the line. As I said to Harrison that funky drive is part of a kit that came separatly from the loco and was intended to replace the original drive that came with the loco. As you saw it runs very smoothly. The only thing that is wrong with it is that the motor is a current hog, but that is only a problem if Harrison wants to add DCC. Then he will have to get a new motor.

[@SMTMainline]

You might be right but I still think something is slightly off with the drive.

[@arrow1414]

@@SMTMainline Oh wait! take it back. You do need that universal on the bottom of the loco after all. I thought the motor was connected to the truck under it. Its not! You need that bottom universal to have 8 wheel drive!

[@ZicajosProductions]

@@arrow1414 I think you misinterpreted what the original poster meant. I believe he meant the loco was destined for the trash in the decrepit state it had been left in. I think we can all agree that in its prime, this loco was great, prior to being fixed.

[@tommurphy4307]

@@arrow1414 thats not what he said- i think he was referring more to the treatment it received from its previous owner(s)

[@1990sRailfan]

You found it! There was an RS3 on John Allen's Gorre & Daphetid that was traded just before the 1973 fire. It would have brought $3,000,000 unmolested, but now I'm afraid it's worth $3.

[@Petemonster62]

SMT - I happened to think of this today: Next Spring, if you still have that bundle of flex track handy, set it up on the deck & make a video of your Santa Fe " Stretch " locomotive pull a long freight train, a long passenger train, a " Funeral Train " of dummy locomotives, & a Maintenance of Way train!

[@shnops]

Somewhere in your model railroad career you have graduated from repairman to craftsman ! Keep on and you'll become an artist !

[@fuzzyworld3]

That was a tremendous restoration! You did a fantastic job of redecorating it too. Excellent choice of colors!

[@markmcdowell231]

Glad to see your fixing locomotives again I am still leaning ,stilling buying track and bed.

[@SMTMainline]

It all takes time

[@tommurphy4307]

learning and....stealing?

[@suppylarue220]

this is by far the best restoration you've done . you've "kicked it up a notch". please do more of this level in future vids. A++++++++!

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks, I will try my best

[@williammcgeehan3424]

With the orange paint and body style it looks like one of the ex-Penn Central, nee-New Haven Alco RS-3 locomotives that have been preserved. In Connecticut ?? On a museum tourist line.

[@colbymclellan131]

Thinking the same thing. Looks like one of the new haven locomotives in Essex, CT

[@jefftomashunas7913]

Wow, you definitely have a talent for these old locomotives. Fantastic work and fantastic video. Good job

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@THR33STEP]

Like watching a bear come out of hibernation. First you see a little movement and then you hear the full roar. Good job!

[@chevypower1993]

Superb restoration. RS-1/2/3 have always been my all time fav. Have assembled many Hobbytown of Boston kits back in the day. In my opinion they were the best. Pull the paint off the wall! If memory serves correct they had a Pittman DC 90 motor as its prime mover. I'm 72 and been out of the hobby for about 55 years. Due to medical issues, I had to give up fishing...and now it's back to my other love. Great vid and hope you do many more. I've got a lot of catching up to do !!!

[@SMTMainline]

I find them a bit more challenging to work on than say an Athearn but to your point they can be great runners and have high quality parts. Apparently hobbytown still makes parts for them too

[@Riogrande6400]

I've been model railroader for over 2 decades I've never seen a model in that bad of condition that was able to be brought into usable condition. I've gotta tell you that you have skill.

[@SouthwestRailfanProductions]

Looks like something from an NREX yard

[@shnops]

The spirits of countless modelers are looking down on your efforts and smiling !

[@fernsnyder7072]

Timos dinky detailing! I bet thats where you got the idea for the crappy tire paint stripper! great video yet again! The loco looks and sounds great.

[@SMTMainline]

Haven't heard of dinky detailing. Canadian tire is where to usually go to find stuff for all my projects.

[@mdouglaswray]

WOOF. That was one grody mess! Fun to watch it come clean and return to working!

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

Great restoration. It looked pretty bad how ever it has come up well after painting and servicing.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@tommurphy4307]

i thought it looked awesome- you ruined the patina, harrison!

[@Posttrip]

There is something so satisfying about seeing a really deteriorated locomotive cleaned up and brought back to life! Your skills are greatly appreciated!

[@nedyrb133]

so cool! found you on the Explore page... Canadian too from toronto... I love seeing you clean and patch-up/restore that locomotive... very satisfying. nice set-up you got there too... clearly a master within the craft

[@nedyrb133]

nice Go-Trains btw! are you from Quebec? idk if go trains even operate outside of ON

[@bobbylee2853]

@@nedyrb133Gatineau

[@nelslyman8167]

this was amazing, thank you for helping me learn to restore engines, it has helped me alot. Keep up the great work!

[@SMTMainline]

Glad to hear they're helpful!

[@harperlarry49]

I love the early RS locomotives. You did a great job getting her running. Stay safe - Larry.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you

[@rogerdudra178]

Well, I'm 72, and I don't think that thing has been apart since I was a kid. Good to see it run again. Maybe I will, too.

[@Its_YourImagination]

Back in the day gowwing up like you, I had a best friend that also had a layout. We would trade off whos house we would hang out at and work on each others layouts. I really miss those days. Im going to have to find another person who has trains in common to get back into stuff like that once in a while. Or just get dedicated like you to my own. Ill be starting from sctratch when I move....I am currently buying and storing a lot of stuff so Im ready to go once it becomes reality.

[@tommurphy4307]

ummm, thats what clubs are for- join one near you. the longer you wait- the more expensive its going to be.

[@TrainmasterSP-qk2lo]

Great job! Nice feeling when you get something that hasn’t run in years to start working again!

[@watson9337]

It is so cool to see how you save the engines from the landfill and get them running again keep up the good work your nickname should be the Dr. engine saver

[@j.harryfeldman1776]

Harrison! Amazing. Fixing this one proves that you can fix anything! Congrats and kudos!

[@ChristopherBrown-mq1lg]

That paint job reminds me of something you would see on the Nevada Northern. They had a large fleet of Alcos .

[@SMTMainline]

I can't wait to finish it.

[@tommurphy4307]

they had a lot of alco steam units- but just two rs-2's (that are still in use)

[@augustusshook2881]

Great Job !!!! I really like your videos. You make me want to get back into model rail road again.

[@MrYaesu840]

Hey Harrison, Just wanted to give you a couple of tips. First, you can place the metal parts in vinegar. That will clean off the rust and caked on grease. Next you can lube the commuter with a product sold for slot car motors called "Voo Doo". It comes in a plastic bottle and is green in color. I use this all the time. I use that silicon pen to remove the scum then lube it with Voo Doo. Hope this helps.

[@SMTMainline]

I've used vinegar to remove rust but wasn't aware it could be used on grease as well. I can't say I've had a good experience with commutator lubricant. I find it usually becomes sticky fast, have you had this experience with Voo Doo?

[@tommurphy4307]

its just conductive lubricant- harrison prolly gets that from labelle

[@garyjohnson4608]

Wow ! Can't believe what a difference it all made ! This old loco was a huge mess when you first took it apart !

[@SMTMainline]

It still needs work but it's a solid step in the right direction.

[@tommurphy4307]

@@davidandrew477 its sad that they have to be MADE to run well- they should do that out of the box

[@PirateChiefPC1]

He's a Loco Wizard. There has to be a twist. The Loco Wizard ha such a soulful wrist! You have a great gift!

[@willamcombs1106]

I have always preferred the older Locomotives like Varney ect. They may be old but the quality is better and you can always make them run. Not much plastic in them either.

[@SMTMainline]

No plastic, no sensitive electronics and things are actually meant to be taken apart. They are much more enjoyable to work on.

[@tommurphy4307]

that may be because the plastic they had back then was crap

[@Itsjustme-Justme]

Beautiful old model. I really like models from the 50s and 60s. Their all metal construction will last forever. Thank you for rescueing it from the trash bin.

[@tommurphy4307]

why does everyone say how great these things are, and then you mention how it was rescued from the trash. make up your mind!

[@williamkoch9977]

What a great all metal drive system! All screw fasteners and no snap- on plastic parts. Don't forget to put the sides on the trucks.

[@SMTMainline]

Huge fan of metal parts. I intentionally left the sides off until I begin working on the cosmetic details.

[@tommurphy4307]

so great- it took a crap YEARS ago....

[@bruceyoung1343]

It’s wonderful feeling to get a old engine running again. Good job 👏

[@tomgeffros4879]

Just a testament to the older engines. Taking a terrible siezed piece of trash into an awesome CN engine. The "Harrison" touch works every time!

[@MozanaRN]

Love Hobbytown drive mechanisms. Good job restoring this model.

[@mercuryoak2]

Great Restoration. Im surprised it even ran beforehand, but you did a great job on this very poor shape loco. Also you are right about it being a RS3 because my RS2 looks similar but this has a slight difference . The way you painted it orange and black frame looks like what they had for the new haven railroad back in the 1950s. The speed of that is also realistic where they only were road locos or switchers made to top out at about Maximum speed 65-85 mph (105-137 km/h) what i looked up which how you had this going is realistic speed and is geared right on the money.

[@SMTMainline]

This one was a real challenge.

[@colbeausabre8842]

Yes, that was my thought, "New Haven". BTW, it's an RS3 with a steam generator for secondary passenger use " The two biggest differences between an RS-2 and RS-3 are the RS-2 (and RSC-2) fuel tank is under the cab, and the fuel filler is on the cab side. Also, the RS-2 running board on the short hood end is flat, while the RS-3 short hood running board has a step up, because the battery boxes are on the running board. There is also minor difference in the unit's length." the RS3 and a few very late RS2's were 1600 hp, most RS2's were 1500 hp A guy at a club I belonged to in the Sixties had a pair of these models that he wired to run MU'd. They'd pull the paint off the wall

[@mercuryoak2]

@@colbeausabre8842 I have 2 ahm models that are RS-2 thats why I was saying it looks similar. Running wise this one is far superior being its 8 wheel drive vs mine is 4 . one runs better and it's missing parts like the railings and the other one looks better has all the parts but the motor runs not quite as good however when you run them both together they do pull pretty good however my stuff is all packed up for a while

[@tommurphy4307]

i say taller is better cuz harrison is a real casey jones.... also- switchers aren't 'made to top out' at any particular speed- they are geared to be efficient at operating speeds for their intended use.

[@mercuryoak2]

@@tommurphy4307 where did the taller idea come from I don't even understand that response at all

[@rickym.3416]

You should paint and cosmetically restore more engines like this, I really enjoyed it

[@SMTMainline]

That's the plan.

[@cmdrflake]

Wow.I know of one that’s pushing 70 years old. Thanks to regular maintenance, New York Central 8231 still performs!

[@SMTMainline]

The parts seem to be of good quality but I imagine you would have to change the oil regularly to make them last that long. It's impressive to hear.

[@cmdrflake]

@@SMTMainline Get this. As I write this, 8231 is running like a clock on the Harlem line approaching Chatham on the 7:01. My Stewart RS3, 5503, is waiting to bring the North end local out when the 7:01 clears.

[@tommurphy4307]

hopefully it doesn't look like it was painted with a broom

[@ghostseekers8492]

Great work mate totally blame you for my love of restoring older locomotives lol

[@SMTMainline]

Once you start it's tricky to stop lol

[@snowvon7160]

Great content! I would love to see a series that you restore old locomotives paint and all!! Maybe some cars too!!

[@SMTMainline]

I might make some more

[@tommurphy4307]

painting is overrated- except in this caSE

[@fluffnose3386]

You should change the title from “Can we get it to run?” to “Making it run”. Seriously this is impressive. Good job! These are some of my favorite videos right here

[@garysprandel1817]

Great resto there Harrison. Just a heads up particularly when painting pot metal locomotives primer is usually good to do for a long lasting paint job and at least from my experience with my first MDC Roundhouse steam kit some 30 years ago that paint may need to be baked on. I read that in the instructions and thought I didn't need to do so but in handling the boiler the paint was coming off as I handled the boiler, slapped my forehead with a muttered " I guess they do know more than you dumbass " and repainted the boiler and baked the metal components the 110 degrees for 30 minutes and that paint was near indestructible. If you do find you need to bake the paint try looking up the required temp and time as I pulled those out of the air as that was 30ish years ago and have trouble remembering what I had for dinner last night these days but I do remember the oven was barely on and maybe an hour or under.

[@SMTMainline]

I think you're right. I may end up re-doing the paint if it begins chipping.

[@garysprandel1817]

@@SMTMainline also just a heads up for future point stripping one of the tricks us old timers would use either automotive brake fluid ( obviously mark and keep separate from brake fluid used in your car because to quote Egon from Ghostbusters that would be bad) or Pine Sol type pine cleaner. Safe on plastic shells and I only had one Atlas shell it wouldn't touch.

[@tommurphy4307]

that's why the good Lord gave us zinc-rich primer

[@tommurphy4307]

good advice- i do my diecast vehicles the same way. it really toughens enamel.

[@ErnieNoa3]

Nice to see an old engine come back to life.

[@scottleidenberger4007]

It's ALIVEEEEE ! Awesome job on that loco. I wonder what the back story is on it. I have never seen an engine that bad inside and out. Well done .

[@SMTMainline]

I'm curious too. I don't think it was ever run much.

[@modelrailroader5619]

Now that was a project!!! Great job, Harrison. Would have loved to see that locomotive painted in all black with custom decals for “SMT Transfer”😊👍

[@SMTMainline]

Provided I do it right, I think it will rock the Great Northern paint scheme.

[@RandomRetr0]

The mechanism was designed f heavy grease so it’s likely that parts will touch each other in the absence of it. While modern lubricants are thinner and last longer, they don’t provide insulation and padding like traditional grease. Probably why the current draw is high

[@SMTMainline]

I will keep that in mind.

[@jamesfahlstedt2232]

In their day, Hobbytown locomotives were absolutely the best. They used high quality gears and Pittman motors. I had an 8 wheel drive E-8 for a while. It would not pull worth two hoots as the idler axles took too much of the potential tractive effort.

[@kroy1037]

No doubt, this takes the award for the all time worse yuck you have ever had to clean, Harrison, at least since the case of the spider eggs! Congratulations on being able to recognize the potential and restore the beauty in the beast!

[@jamesnichols819]

I have used brake fluid to remove paint off of some of my plastic model trains. I put it in a container and let it soak over night. The next day the paint is lose and comes off. After I have it off I wash with soap and water and let it air dry. Then paint. I have not tried on metal train shells, but it might work on them as well.Your videos are very informative and educational. Good luck on your next painting project.

[@tommurphy4307]

thats the worst thing you can do- just leave it over night....really, dude?

[@abethpezarkar9946]

Great work. You really understand Model locomotives.. Well done

[@kevinbreaker2683]

I had my doubts when you started But you pulled it off again ,,, great job 👍👍🚂

[@davidkalbacker6033]

Alco road switcher - one of my favorite engines of all time - many thanks for getting this going .

[@hexxoid9263]

Fantastic job, glad to see one of those vintage hobbytown drives operating again. That sure is a gigantic flywheel! You should do a test to see how many cars it can pull.

[@SMTMainline]

I suspect the pulling capacity is low at the moment but with a bit more work it may be impressive.

[@tommurphy4307]

or how many m-80's it can hold

[@tommurphy4307]

imagine if it was brass or tungsten!

[@robertbowman3406]

The fun part is buying the kit and taking it from there. It is a lot of trimming and filing to get it together correctly. These kits never came with lighting. I have hundreds of parts, spare parts, left over from when I was building them way back in the early 60s. I still have the 6 wheel unit that I never got together.

[@TRRailfan]

This is the one from last stream right? Love the RS units.

[@SMTMainline]

It's been in two. Tough project.

[@markwilliams2620]

Nice work. Hobbytowns do tend to draw current. Side note. I bought a couple of used steam locos from Maine Modelworks. You bought the one I wanted but second choice turned out just as good. It was the 4-8-2 with the Scullin drivers. Turns out it's an original Bowser with a cast brass shell. 40's vintage. Doesn't run YET. Thanks so much for that and Happy New Year!

[@daf827]

Fantastic restoration. Your patience and problem solving skills are outstanding. Will you post a video with the truck frames, grab irons, and other details installed?

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you and yes, I plan to make a second video with the cosmetic work.

[@johnnycee5179]

Just a thought but if you could find a drill bit small enough you could drill holes in the posts and run a thin wire through them for cable rails.

[@MartinSBrown-tp9ji]

Those Hobbytown engines will run for ever. Mine are 50 years old and have been running all this time.

[@SMTMainline]

I have a few which have been great. Not the most reliable but parts rarely break.

[@longwindingroad]

The mechanical set up on this engine is really nice for a 1960s piece. The quality of the parts is amazing and held up great.

[@RayBoebel]

Another win for Harrison!!! Nice job bud! By the way, I know I was going to look for some parts for another loco you had. Upon further review, it wasnt the same manufacturer so the parts I have wont help :(

[@SMTMainline]

Finding identical parts can be tricky. Thanks for the thought though.

[@antonbruce1241]

Wow...this loco should have been declared a disaster area!!! WHAT A MESS!!! Ah, but leave it to Harrison to bring it back to life. I might think about replacing that motor if you can. And as far as removing the paint...IF it's a metal shell, you can soak it in denatured alcohol - that'll take more of the old paint off. But hey - not bad what you did!!! And the orange paint scheme - look pretty darned good! Dude...when it comes to rehabbing locos....YOU ARE DEFINITELY THE MAN!!!!!

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks a bunch. I can't wait to finish the cosmetic work.

[@tommurphy4307]

DENATURED ALCOHOL? isn't that the stuff you run thru a loaf of bread and then get plastered on? LOL

[@antonbruce1241]

@@tommurphy4307 Only if you don't care one whit about your kidneys and liver. and whether or not you live or die If it'll strip paint - it'll do worse to your body.

[@alvinthompson3247]

Man what a mess! And what a great job getting it sorted out. 👌🏻

[@faceman8893]

Incredible!!! And I love the paint job. You turned it into beauty. 👍👍👍

[@thatredneckcanadian519]

It looks like it was underwater for a couple years

[@joezuccardo3245]

Harrison I have several of these Hobbytown engines, what looks different to me is the motor has the brush plate facing down, all mine have the brush plate on top, these engines are great pullers I've pulled up to 30 cars with mine Hobbytown also made PA"s E8's and powered frames to fit Athern, Varney, Mantua/tyco diesels

[@jcure]

That may be why it looks odd that he's soldering to the Brushes. Should not have to.

[@seven8n235]

Brings back memories. I had a couple of these engines in the 60s. They were smooth runners with the flywheel. The design was advanced for that time.

[@segundaaguada]

Impressive work, thanks for sharing this careful restoring.

[@andrewferguson5653]

Great restoration, SMT. I was horrified when I saw all that old grease inside it.

[@SMTMainline]

It was pretty bad but I'm happy to see it running again :)

[@tommurphy4307]

in new york you would be haurrified

[@wolfzillaproductions4563]

Another engine successfully given a second chance at a running life ^^

[@moviestudioland]

Great video and well done. Nice memories of my father's old trains I grew up with. Thank you!

[@karenparker3086]

Great work. I have a couple of these Hobbytown drives and they’re nearly indestructible and will pull a ton. Don’t worry about the current draw, it’s normal for them to pull between 0.5 and 0.7 amps with no load. When they’re pulling 50 or more cars they’ll go up to about 1 amp.

[@SMTMainline]

I will try to get it down a little more as it's almost pulling 1 amp without being under load.

[@tommurphy4307]

how much do they pull while smoking themselves right before they get trashed??

[@karenparker3086]

@@tommurphy4307 I’ve seen two pull a hundred-car train and I’ve never heard of one burning out a motor.

[@tommurphy4307]

@@karenparker3086 that must have been a huge layout with very broad curves.

[@jcure]

Hi Harrison, I saw you'd posted this a while ago, but wanted to take my time on the reply. There sure are alot of interesting comments on this engine. Many detailed and involved. First off, yes I am pretty sure these only came as kits. When I bought mine, they were and you spent alot of time filing off the flash to have things fit. This was in the 60's ! (g) Be aware, sometimes the metal these are made of will disintegrate! I had forgotten about how the sideframes attached. What a PIA! Also the poor truck screw arrangement. My favorite was always the Gear tower. Adjustable also meant point of failure. The weak point of these was that only 2 wheels on each side picked up. ( not easily fixed either) They would out pull ANYTHING. Truly the Alcos* of early models. (known to outpull any other Loco mfgrs) I also don't remember having to solder to the brushes; maybe missing something? I learned some stuff too. Never heard of cleaning parts in diesel. Also that color, I'd used that somewhere, took me a minute to recall where. Bingo, I used it on a shuttle engine cover. Yes I built an HD flatcar load that is for a space shuttle motor. They shipped out of Thiokol in Utah near a model RR friends home! The cover (a Shapeways 3D item) was painted that exact orange. Booya! Good Job on this, fun. Will it be the 1st SMT Mainline lettered Loco? Inquiring minds want to know. Happy New Year!

[@tommurphy4307]

i would think harrison knows better than to solder directly to a carbon brush- mainly because he knows that wouldn't work- right harrison?

[@joallawestervelt6918]

"Well folks, can we make her run?" Of course you can. You have the Harrison magic touch! Nicely done! Did the lights work? Was awesome to see it take off running. You need one of those small magnet bowls that mechanics use to put all your parts in. Maybe would help to not lose any of those tiny springs or screws. 😉 I think about that, every time I watch you do repairs (which is always when one is posted up). I am always fascinated to watch you fix them. Very enjoyable. Thank you Harrison for sharing. Happy New Year to you and your family. ❤😊❤🇺🇸

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you for your kind words. I have one of those magnetic bowls but I forget to use it often. Thanks for watching!

[@tommurphy4307]

whats fun to do is heap up a bunch of nuts and bolts in that bowl and then drive off with the whole mess stuck to the roof of your car.

[@dog8nut]

That drive sytem is rather elegant compaired to Ahern's rubber band drive.

[@gregorydixon8921]

Your a wizard Harrison , great rebuild .

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@otakuoyaji4220]

disgustingly satisfying! great maintenance work!!

[@shockstrains5077]

another incredible job from SMT!

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@stefanschneider3681]

Great job - you must have been quite confident you would get it back together when you took it apart 😳😉! Almost makes me want to go down into my basement … several old locomotives H0 have been sitting there for years. My dad had purchased them decades ago and passed them on to me …

[@RajuDas-qu1li]

Great to see it running again! You must be overjoyed!I can sense your feeling. The wonderful feel good emotions that run through in in your body. Great! I wish I had a locomotive like that! That would be amazing!

[@qdogccfc8258]

Yep That’s really bad Love to see the video of you cosmetically restoring it

[@SMTMainline]

It was a challenge.

[@grumbeast]

That was one of the most satisfying videos I’ve seen. I’ve been modelling in N for 40 years and this video made me a bit envious of my HO friends!

[@tommurphy4307]

i've been N scaling for 55 years- before that I ran HO stuff.

[@jimcurt99]

Your problem solving skills are truly impressive

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!