Salvaging Sierra Cars
- Thread starter trammayo
- Start date
Success! Found coaches in the first place I looked and I didn`t get wet, just missed the rain.
As these are closed curtain vehicles, no point in fitting out the interior. This shot gives an idea of how things are wired.
Cable over coupling with plug and socket
Believe it or not only one smoke unit working, seems I have a joint to remake somewhere.
The one unit.
Also the dreaded Aristo glue curse struck, door handle became unstuck, great fun getting it back into position.
As these are closed curtain vehicles, no point in fitting out the interior. This shot gives an idea of how things are wired.
Cable over coupling with plug and socket
Believe it or not only one smoke unit working, seems I have a joint to remake somewhere.
The one unit.
Also the dreaded Aristo glue curse struck, door handle became unstuck, great fun getting it back into position.
Attachments
trammayo
Interested in vintage commercial vehicle, trams, t
Thanks for the pics Brian. Yours is definately a solution worth considering. I think Leds might be the answer for me but, then, they would need to be battery powered (to avoid complications like having to put my hand in my pocket 
) and of course I would be not be using the smoke units.
I did make some progress this week - after collecting the wheelsets on Sunday - but other matters conspired to keep me out of the shed. Nonetheless, I managed to fit the wheelsets after removing 3mm from each axle journal (they are Accucraft W & L type). Two of the cars have only a pick-up on one bogie, a third with pick-ups on both, and a fourth sans pick-ups!
They did run better but there was still some drag. My simple test was to put them on my 1 in 30 gradient and see if they would roll away. With the orginal wheels they remained stationary, with new wheels they did start to roll. I then remembered I had some EZ Conductive lube so I applied it to the back of the appropriate wheels (all wheelsets had received lube on the axles before this) and this made a huge difference.
I was going to take a pic last night (I left the train out after testing in daylight) but found the camera batteries low. I'll have another go later.
I also did a meter test on the smoke units. Only one duff (the one without the cowl). Also, coming back to lighting, There might be just enough bulbs to fully illuminate two coaches.
) and of course I would be not be using the smoke units.I did make some progress this week - after collecting the wheelsets on Sunday - but other matters conspired to keep me out of the shed. Nonetheless, I managed to fit the wheelsets after removing 3mm from each axle journal (they are Accucraft W & L type). Two of the cars have only a pick-up on one bogie, a third with pick-ups on both, and a fourth sans pick-ups!
They did run better but there was still some drag. My simple test was to put them on my 1 in 30 gradient and see if they would roll away. With the orginal wheels they remained stationary, with new wheels they did start to roll. I then remembered I had some EZ Conductive lube so I applied it to the back of the appropriate wheels (all wheelsets had received lube on the axles before this) and this made a huge difference.
I was going to take a pic last night (I left the train out after testing in daylight) but found the camera batteries low. I'll have another go later.
I also did a meter test on the smoke units. Only one duff (the one without the cowl). Also, coming back to lighting, There might be just enough bulbs to fully illuminate two coaches.
trammayo
Interested in vintage commercial vehicle, trams, t
Well, having looked at the weather forecast, I hastily consumed my porridge, put some new batteries in the camera and dashed out to the shed.
Within a few minutes I was running a train in the dark (well dawn light masked by the rain clouds).
One thing I did discover, was that one of the rear marker lights wasn`t working. Also those cars with just a single pick-up had interuptions to the lighting over the points and crossings (as with trams and trolleybuses on traction lighting).
Taking pics of the moving train didn`t produce any good pics but, then again, neither did the stationary coaches
I cosmetically repaired the damaged stove pipe, so apart from using some cotton buds, or a piece of cloth over a screwdriver blade, to get into parts my fingers cannot reach that`s it for now until I make a decision on the lighting method.
Within a few minutes I was running a train in the dark (well dawn light masked by the rain clouds).
One thing I did discover, was that one of the rear marker lights wasn`t working. Also those cars with just a single pick-up had interuptions to the lighting over the points and crossings (as with trams and trolleybuses on traction lighting).
Taking pics of the moving train didn`t produce any good pics but, then again, neither did the stationary coaches
I cosmetically repaired the damaged stove pipe, so apart from using some cotton buds, or a piece of cloth over a screwdriver blade, to get into parts my fingers cannot reach that`s it for now until I make a decision on the lighting method.
As much as I hate to say it,"CHRISTMAS IS A COMING!" Pound shops or your local version will soon have for sale, battery powered strings of LED lights (in various shades). I am sure I have seen strings with 20 or more LEDs. May take a little bit of thought, but I am sure that something workable can be made.
trammayo
Interested in vintage commercial vehicle, trams, t
Bah, humbug 
No I'm not really Scrooge - although I like Alistair Sim in the role - it's just the thought of something like electronics to reduce the track voltage I was thinking of. I have a few Leds somewhere - I might try the "butchered" car first! I might also have some odd strings of you know what festive lights.
No I'm not really Scrooge - although I like Alistair Sim in the role - it's just the thought of something like electronics to reduce the track voltage I was thinking of. I have a few Leds somewhere - I might try the "butchered" car first! I might also have some odd strings of you know what festive lights.
Scrooge was my favourite character, then he changed! My other half's loves A Christmas Carole I think we have at least 10 versions of it. On dvd includes Micky Mouse and the Smurfs.
Back to subject I'm sure that one set of lights will do a least two coaches. Position battery box in the combined (brake) near the door for access with blu-tack. Cut cable after you have selected the number of lights you require, allowing enough cable to enable you to connect plain cable so as to run to the next set of lights in another vehicle. You could at first feed the cable through the gangway doors, if you don't want to drill holes, but I would advise using different colour plugs and sockets and set them up differently for positive and negative.
Back to subject I'm sure that one set of lights will do a least two coaches. Position battery box in the combined (brake) near the door for access with blu-tack. Cut cable after you have selected the number of lights you require, allowing enough cable to enable you to connect plain cable so as to run to the next set of lights in another vehicle. You could at first feed the cable through the gangway doors, if you don't want to drill holes, but I would advise using different colour plugs and sockets and set them up differently for positive and negative.
trammayo
Interested in vintage commercial vehicle, trams, t
My rake doesn't include a combine (wouldn't mind one though if anybody was willing to hand over a C&S one for a consideration!). I just thought of two pin plugs and sockets if I go down that road. Somewhere (isn't memory a wonderful thing?) I think I have some lighting strips.
I did toy with the idea of trying (SWMBO says I'm trying) to fit Leds to the existing lighting brackets but that might be a bridge too far for my bunches of bananas - or my mince pies. I suppose yellow, or at least warm white, would look better.
I can say that I tried to colour some standard leds with yellow glass paint but they (and they would, wouldn't they) came out with a green tinge when illuminated.
I did toy with the idea of trying (SWMBO says I'm trying) to fit Leds to the existing lighting brackets but that might be a bridge too far for my bunches of bananas - or my mince pies. I suppose yellow, or at least warm white, would look better.
I can say that I tried to colour some standard leds with yellow glass paint but they (and they would, wouldn't they) came out with a green tinge when illuminated.
Riograndad
Model Railroading, boats and oil painting,
Looking good Mick,looks like getting yours sorted,long way off mine being done,as for lighting in my cars,not decided yet,might go with LGB units,will have to see how the roofs turn out,but well done,now you have extra rake of cars to run
trammayo
Interested in vintage commercial vehicle, trams, t
Thanks Neil. There OK from a distance (plenty of blemishes on the rooves - need repainting if I could match the colour somewhere near). And yes, a new rake of coaches. People do ask if I have anything "new" from when they last the layout so they will definately be running next year. I just like the Sierra coaches. Now I need some South Pacific Coast passenger stock!
Riograndad
Model Railroading, boats and oil painting,
Blemishes on the roofs Mick?,,,,,,,,no problem,tell em that its from loose rock falls in the canyons 
who knows,they might even believe you!!!! but seriously,a job well done
who knows,they might even believe you!!!! but seriously,a job well done
trammayo
Interested in vintage commercial vehicle, trams, t
You`re too kind - mind you I like the excuse 
Right! After testiing a couple of Buddy L locos this morning with the rake of C&S coaches I have come to decision : I will remove the plungers and springs from the current collectors and store them in each car (plastic bag of course) so they doon`t get lost.
I thought the loco was slowing because of the friction drag, but that was only part of the story. The current draw was starving the loco (I have only a 1amp (Bachmann controller and transformer in use at the moment).
So Leds it will be. Need to attack the jobs list (domestic first. C`est la vie!
Right! After testiing a couple of Buddy L locos this morning with the rake of C&S coaches I have come to decision :
I will remove the plungers and springs from the current collectors and store them in each car (plastic bag of course) so they doon`t get lost.I thought the loco was slowing because of the friction drag, but that was only part of the story. The current draw was starving the loco (I have only a 1amp (Bachmann controller and transformer in use at the moment).
So Leds it will be. Need to attack the jobs list (domestic
first. C`est la vie!
Riograndad
Model Railroading, boats and oil painting,
Looking good Mick,talking of LED`s,i nipped over to GLendale Jcn on Friday,picked up a couple of lighting kits,LED strip about 300mm,switch,battery holder,battery and some wiring,amber or white,chose the amber for my rebuilds,for old time effect,£6.50 per set,will have to see how they turn out
Riograndad
Model Railroading, boats and oil painting,
Brian has some on permanent display in the shop,looked ok so thought give then a try,red tail,flashing red tail and flickering( to come) so he says,tail lights look ok too,showed me those but did`nt get any.can`t remember how much they were though
Riograndad
Model Railroading, boats and oil painting,
They look interesting?
trammayo
Interested in vintage commercial vehicle, trams, t
I think they are great - no rolling resistance for a starter. The plungers on a rake of four cars had a significant braking effect - really retarding the loco (Annie). I figured that this might put undue strain on the drive mechanism.
I have a LGB Drover's Caboose with them fitted so, when I saw two pair on ebay at a great BIN price, I thought "earwig O".
I will fit one axle to each coach, I just need to swap over those on the caboose. One per car will suffice if the track is clean. I don't need to wire them up from one coach - I wondered about current draw (26 bulbs, 3 or 4 smoke units) causing arcing so this is the simplest option.
And, of course, I still have two sets of Led lights to disect
Pic/s to follow.
I have a LGB Drover's Caboose with them fitted so, when I saw two pair on ebay at a great BIN price, I thought "earwig O".
I will fit one axle to each coach, I just need to swap over those on the caboose. One per car will suffice if the track is clean. I don't need to wire them up from one coach - I wondered about current draw (26 bulbs, 3 or 4 smoke units) causing arcing so this is the simplest option.
And, of course, I still have two sets of Led lights to disect
Pic/s to follow.
Riograndad
Model Railroading, boats and oil painting,
Mick,have you sorted these cars out yet?been waiting for some pics
). I have it all sussed out - just no 'me' time! Will get there by the end of this month I hope.