Note: The following is a small sample of what I have accomplished. From time to time I update it when an interesting job is completed, but by no means is it comprehensive. If your job isn't like any of those in this list, and you want to discuss it please contact me.
There are several sections to this page. You can jump to them and back if you wish using the following links:
If additional work was performed it is described.
To remove the axles it was necessary to separate at least one side frame from the bolster, and to
disconnect the end beams from each end of the sideframe to be separated.
Because of the mass of the parts a torch would be used to place high heat to as small an area
as possible. Compare with using a hot air gun for disassembly.
The issues with de-soldering the truck frames were 1) I wasn't familiar with the truck parts
so I didn't know if the parts had locating pins so that they could be re-assembled properly, and 2)
I wanted to minimize repair of parts that might fall off or change position during heating of the large parts.
I decided upon the general solution of completely separating the bolster from both side frames. That left
the issue of the end beams where the heat of the torch could cause several parts to loosen. In lieu of
de-soldering the end beams it was simpler to cut them in the middle; a keeper plate was fabricated
and installed to provide strength when the truck was assembled later.
Since it wasn't known if there was provision for locating the bolster conection the to side frame, I drilled
through the side frame into the bolster and tapped the holes for screws which would serve as locating pins
after the bolsters were separated from the side frames.
Here's a photo
of one of the trucks with the end beam keeper plates installed and the locating pins installed.
The equalizer bars and axle journals were removed from the side frames.
A saw cut was made between the keeper plate screws on the end beams, the corners of thse truck were
wrapped with damp cloths, and the bolster joints with the side frame were heated until they separated.
The solder was cleaned up. There was no collateral damage to other solder joints from the heat.
The truck was re-assembled using the locating pins and keeper plates, and
blocks were soldered to the side frames under the bolster connection, and holes were tapped for screws to
attach the bolster to the side frame.
Here's a photo
of the trucks after they were taken apart, solder cleaned up, and the locator pins installed.
The saw cut through the end beams is barely visible in the end beam at the upper right.
Here's a photo
after the keeper pin holes have been filled, the axle sprockets have been replaced,
the truck have been fully assembled with screws, and the chains installed.
Finally, here's a
video
of the repaired loco running on my test loop:
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