39 - O Scale Trains Magazine Online

me the pleasure of planning and executing a scratchbuilt structure
is one of our hobbies most alluring segments. Those piles
of basswood and scraps of this and that all nestled with glues
and paints and hand tools and dreams of how it will look once
integrated into a developing scene on my railroad is the stuff
of life many days. It would be a genuine loss for a model railroader
to have never given this a good try. I highly recommend
building a model railroad or at least railroad models using the
best ideas and skills you can muster. What you may discover is
you’re good at it after all, and it will open up doors to a whole
new realm of possibilities in modeling.
I hope this isn’t classified as rambling Joe, but in the interest
of supporting your most timely viewpoint, I wanted to add
my two cents to the mix.
Bob Ring (via e-mail)
About That Century
Regarding your review of the Atlas C630, not bad for a
GE/EMD guy! Just for the sake of neurosis though, the “C”
stands for Century. What tripped you up is the “6”. It doesn’t
stand for the decade of production, but for the number of
axles. You got the last two digits right as a horsepower designator.
Hence, a C420 is a four-axle Century with 2000 horsepower;
a C630 is a six-axle 3000 horsepower unit, etc.
For those who might care, the C630 was also the first production
Diesel-electric in the US to use a Diesel/alternator
(AC) combination instead of the Diesel/generator (DC) combination
of previous practice. Traction motors were still DC, but
the first step toward the full AC transmission was made here.
Brian Scace, PA (via e-mail)
A Better Sprocket Repair
Brian’s article on changing sprockets is right on the mark.
Thanks Brian! One other problem that has plagued this type
of drive is the sprockets splitting after some time. This is
because the sprockets were pressed on to the drive shafts
and over time the stress would split the sprocket from the
hub. The answer to fitting a new replacement is not to press
the sprocket onto the shaft. Make it a light, almost sliding, fit.
Cross drill the hub and shaft and press in a roll pin (small steel
split spring tube). Even a small taper pin would work. This
eliminates the stress cracks and it can easily be removed to
change or replace the sprocket. Stock Drive Parts sells the roll
pins. The ones I got use a number 52 drill to fit properly.
Bob Garrelts, Tarpon Springs, FL (via e-mail)
THE WESTERN RESERVE “O” SCALE TRAIN SHOW
CLEVELAND, OHIO
Saturday, November 8, 2008 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Admission: $6.00 6’ Tables - $37.00
LAKELAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
I90 and ST.RT. 306 (S.E. Corner)
Held in the Auxiliary Gym / Athletic Center
24 Hr. Police • Public Welcome • Free Parking • 2-rail “O” scale only • Please no other gauges
SORRY NO PASSES ACCEPTED AT THIS SHOW • THIS SHOW IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE WESTERN RESERVE O SCALE COMMITTEE WHO ANNUALLY PUT ON A SIMILAR SHOW
BOB FRIEDEN - 9695 CHILLICOTHE ROAD - KIRTLAND, OHIO 44094 - 440-256-8141 - FAX: 440-256-1749
July/Aug ’08 - O Scale Trains • 35