TIPS & TECHNIQUES

DRAWBAR FIX

As most are aware, I have a Bachmann 2-8-0 Connie which is battery powered.  The extra weight of batteries has put a strain on many parts of the tender, and in past articles, I have described a fix for the tender side frames, which broke due to weight and probably poor design on Bachmann's part. This problem has surfaced in many on-line train forums. 

     My next focus involves the tender drawbar pin.  This is a polished pin that is inserted in the tender floor which connects to the locomotive drawbar.

The original pin is only press fit, and over time it has caused cracks in it's hole due to the stress of pulling trains, and the weight of the batteries. The pin finally fell out and could not be re-inserted.  My solution was to take an 8D (8 penny) bright nail.  I drilled through the old hole that held the original pin. I then inserted the nail and measured the length that I needed. I cut the nail to the proper length using a Dremmel cut off wheel, and rounded the end until it was smooth. The new pin was then inserted and epoxied in place.  I painted the head black to hide it, and I now have a new pin the will withstand the strain of battery operation without being pulled out and lost.