Repairing a Shifted Axle on our locomotive

[@robertdraper7258]

Position to proper location on the Axle then remove Set Screw and insert a Center Punch or Drill Bit to mark the location on the Axle where the Set Screw needs to stay. Grind or drill a divot into the Axle to establish place for the end of the Set Screw to be "locked" in. Reinsert Set Screw and throughly tighten. If threaded area is deep enough insert a second Set Screw to act as a lock to prevent the one in contact with the Axle from backing out due to vibration. The Divot method or a flat spot filed or ground into an axle or shaft has been used by multiple industries to prevent gears and bearings from "walking" on shafts from where they should be aligned. Pillar Block Bearings usually use a Lock Collar with one or more Set Screw locations to retain shafts for that same reason. I hope that helps!

[@MillBrookRailroad]

That's very helpful. Thanks!

[@andersholt4653]

I really like your easy going and "it'll be alright" attitude. It seems nothing is a problem, just a challenge with a hidden solution. I do like your videos and I'm not a little bit envious of your layout. Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

That's pretty much my attitude. There is no problem that can't be solved sooner or later or in one way or another. And when you get stuck, it's time for tea! I guess it helps that I built it. Thanks for watching!

[@peterthornton8520]

Love the Nonchalant throw away statements such as finger tight is right until it decides to remind you when it stops working. Lovely. Happy New Year from the UK.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Never waste an opportunity for a short chuckle, but never go so far as to induce a guffaw. Bad humour. That's how eye roll. Happy new year!

[@mischef18]

Good video bro, 2 hours left of 2023 here in NZ so all the best over new years. Safe travels. Ken.

[@katherinemorey6517]

Great job Aaron! Cory Mears

[@tardismole]

New here, but I'm having a blast with the hilarious conversations. Happy New Year.

[@mikeashely8198]

Kind of reminds me of working on A tesla, the more you work on it, the more it breaks

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Except with this, there are no subscriptions, and everything eventually settles in and just works. ...Until you overload it and break it again. Then you have to fix it again. Seriously, if an engine can survive a winter on the MLBK, it'll work anywhere.

[@dalehatton6965]

Your issue with the link is that the clip is directional and your chain moves in both directions, maybe a link that you peen over the end and make it a permanent link might be better.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

You are on the right track there. I bought a tool that makes a chain without a master link. It wasn't here yet for the video. What I did in the meantime: I turned the master link around, so the main clip is away from the other chain.

[@bradfordthompson8326]

Wow WITH your cnc Plywood Cutter Your railway could build a Alco RS-3......powered by a Solar power patriot Generator....Just what we were Thicking while watching it Love the RAILWAYS 😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@MillBrookRailroad]

I don't have any CNC machines. The closest thing I have access to is a laser cutter, but it won't do anything thicker than 1/8 inch. ...but I'm not opposed to having one, should it show up at my door.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

... but I DO have an HMC plywood cutter! That would work for an RS-3.

[@danielfantino1714]

Does anybody makes AAR B truck that would fit under all Alco and GE ? Always just see Blomberg​@@MillBrookRailroad

[@timlanglois5643]

Hello thank you for your videos and your hard work at making them. Also.like you showing us se of the repairs you do to your engines a nd cars i hope happy new year to the family and yourself stay safe in 2024 ❤look forward to more videos

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Thanks 👍

[@jerryslater5173]

Thank you

[@kittty2005]

I learned a nice trick about battery electrolyte you can taste small amounts without harm, if it tastes really sour it's acid no guess work, learned that in auto shop in college 52 years ago, sulfuric acid even if dilute will attack wood as well as most metals and if it makes contact with high sulfur content lubes H2S evolves.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Good to know. I guess I'll be pouring some bicarbonate on the floor.

[@artillerest43rdva7]

Aaron have you ever drilled a lock “ spot “for the allen screw that will secure the sprocket in place? if you have a pointed end on the allen screw, it will lock it on the shaft where it was drilled. just need a deep enough for a good secure point. still use loctite to secure due to all the vibrations and torque.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Very good point. I'll have to do something like that.

[@dorsk84]

Get rid of the grub screws on the axles. You need either a pin or a screw pins. I have screw pins on the u-joints on my RC trucks and I have yet to break one. Granted the forces here are different, but its the same idea.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

The bearings come with grub screws. The 70 is set up the same way, and the axles don't shift. Mostly because I don't take the 70 apart nearly as much as I do the 71.

[@Conn653]

This might work - remove a set screw. Use a drill bit smaller than the diameter of the set screw. Drill a small indentation into the axle, through the set screw hole. Reinsert the set screw, seating it into the hole in the axle. This should help stop the wheels from slipping on the axle. Just an 'arm-chair' suggestion 🙂

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Not a bad suggestion. I may take a different approach, though. Not sure yet.

[@barryandbonnievandergreft2265]

Another enjoyable video, thank you for sharing it. Ever tried gel cell batteries? Keep up the good work, & a Happy New Year to you & your family.

[@solarusthelonghaulerrailfa3226]

Oh the work never ends will you ever get to play with your railroad 😁😁

[@MillBrookRailroad]

I think you just watched me play with the railroad.

[@solarusthelonghaulerrailfa3226]

@@MillBrookRailroad😁😁👍

[@southern207hobbies]

Keyways on the axle

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Keyways aren't going to work out at the axle ends. This is lateral motion. A change in axle diameter might do the trick, though! Glad you mentioned keyways. It made me think of the actual solution! There are other details to figure out now. ...which will show up on the next one I build.

[@drache444444]

@@MillBrookRailroad instead of a cange in axle diameter (which would mean that you need a new axle) you can also use shims and sleeves to keep it the right distance from the bearings if i saw that correctly

[@MillBrookRailroad]

@@drache444444 That would work in this case.

[@mcmkerr-peterson1329]

What about filing a small flat on the axle ends to facilitate tightening of the grub screws

[@MillBrookRailroad]

That could work.

[@randolphfriend8260]

💚

[@billsargent3407]

Do these two critters MU?

[@MillBrookRailroad]

They do.

[@itsmyview2024]

Have you considered a ramp or lift to a comfortable working height, non of us are getting any younger!

[@MillBrookRailroad]

I do have a lift at the other end of the railroad. That didn't help me much in this case.

[@BenjaminEsposti]

So I guess the loctite never held them in place? The thing loosens up because the set screw doesn't have any spot to positively screw into (flat/keyed spot or a hole). It spins on there and thus the sprocket "walks" down the shaft one direction or the other. Once it slips, it burnishes/rubs down the screw/shaft and then it just keeps slipping more. Could explain why some years you have it happen recurringly. Another thing is, I have not seen your set screw up close, but some have a flat end and some have a pointed end. The pointed type might work better. The only concern is having too much stress in one spot, may cause the axle to crack under load, like on real trains. However, this depends on the type of steel and the overall stress, temperature, etc... stuff that's beyond my level of expertise.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

In the interest of easy servicing, I didn't put loctite on the axle ends. Flats on the axles isn't a bad idea. It may be awhile before I actually fix it, though. Shop inertia is real, and I have a shop full of cars and locos that need to be put back in service.

[@SuperChiefTube]

You’re running your chains too tight. You can tell by the loud noise that they’re making. A chain should always be a little bit loose. A chain that is too tight will wear out the chain faster than it should. Plus it will wear out the sprockets as well.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@stevedavidson8802]

Oh my gosh, you are so boring to watch. Yep, fell asleep.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

You're welcome. You needed a nap, anyway.