Thanks so much for watching. I don't have a video, but I can explain it... I happen to have two varieties of bechwork: A36 steel construction and 2x6 pressure treated lumber. If I had it to do over, I would have gone for steel all the way around. The sections are 10ft long, composed of .25in thick steel set in a ladder configuration with the rungs welded across. On both varieties, the tracks are laid on stained/sealed pressure treated deck boards.
Thanks for the reply. I’m redoing my layout due to Helene damage and was considering doing bench work this time rather than ground level. The ladder type makes sense due to our snow clearing needs.
Do you have a link or parts you used to fix the split gears? I think i have an older USA trains that i should look at as it is starting to make odd noises when run.
@terryv Yes, in most cases, I can get parts for the engines I use most often. Even though this little switcher is long out of production, I found the motor blocks actually contain parts from two other motor blocks that are still being produced. Sadly, however, I do have a couple other engines which I use only sparingly due to lack of parts.
@@RockwallCanyonRRI have always wondered if a 3D Printer could be used to make gears and other components for locomotives and Rolling Stock that have been out of production, discontinued or company went out of business(AristoCraft Trains) so parts are nowhere to be found. I have quite a few AristoCraft locomotives, rolling stock and many do need to be or have some repairers done, but no parts to make the repair. So I'm wondering if it's even possible to use a 3D Printer to make those parts that have worn out or broken? I always used AristoCraft knuckle couplers as I found them the most reliable knuckle style coupler, but, can't get them anymore, at least I haven't found any. So been using the USA Trains knuckle couplers, but they just don't seem to have the connection and stay together, always opening and releasing, rarely did I have that with the way AristoCraft knuckle couplers were made. Very frustrating when you can't keep your train interconnected. What type of coupler system are you using on the Rock Canyon RR? I am definitely looking for something better than my current knuckle couplers.
Hello again! The great news about AristoCraft is that Bachmann is now producing several of their models. There are three different diesel locomotive motor blocks available including the FA-1, Dash9, and GP40. They also produce some of the freight cars now, including the newer style 100 ton hoppers, Evans boxcars, and now some of the older models such as the 2 bay open hopper, and the single dome tank car. Many of the parts from these crossover to other models, so even when they don't specifically list your part, there's a good chance it might be found elsewhere. As to 3d printing... Yes, this is also working out very well for us all. The Pioneer in this was a small biz called GLX who printed replacement parts for Aristo for the last 10 years or so. He no longer prints, but you can buy his part files and print them yourself. There are several others making replacement part files and finished parts. 4trackengineeing has an online store with parts available to ship. Unfortunately, I have yet to see 3d printed gearing provide the same quality as the factory produced originals. Most of our trains use worm gearing, which I suspect is a particularly demanding form to try printing. The only successful replacement gearing I've seen has been machined from Nylon.
@@RockwallCanyonRR Thanks, I'm going to have to check Bachmann out again. I stopped buying their G gauge stuff a long time ago because they were never durable or long lasting. Most of their steam locomotives I purchased ended up as parts or junk in the trash. Sure hope what they're doing now is better than what they were making about 10-15 years ago. I don't own a 3D Printer, looked at some, but still too far out of my price range currently. But I know some folks that have one, figured if it was feasible and would work, maybe I could have them make up the parts I'd need. Still don't know about what couplers are the best to use since like stated, I always used AristoCraft knuckle couplers, and so far the USA Trains I haven't been too thrilled with,but if that's what I have to use, then, that's what I'll use.
Always liked the 44 toners. They can fit on any railroad. Nice paint scheme. Nice snow run. 🙌👍🚂
Thanks so much! Yeah I love those little engines too...wish they would go back in production someday!
Winter is cold.
Do you have a video on the bench work construction?
Thanks so much for watching. I don't have a video, but I can explain it... I happen to have two varieties of bechwork: A36 steel construction and 2x6 pressure treated lumber. If I had it to do over, I would have gone for steel all the way around. The sections are 10ft long, composed of .25in thick steel set in a ladder configuration with the rungs welded across. On both varieties, the tracks are laid on stained/sealed pressure treated deck boards.
Thanks for the reply. I’m redoing my layout due to Helene damage and was considering doing bench work this time rather than ground level. The ladder type makes sense due to our snow clearing needs.
Do you have a link or parts you used to fix the split gears? I think i have an older USA trains that i should look at as it is starting to make odd noises when run.
Absolutely! Best place to start is Charles Ro Supply (the retail store that started USA Trains) charlesro-com.3dcartstores.com/usa_repairparts.html
With model cars & engines, are there sources for a range of replacement parts? Or do you just cannibalize available used engines?
@terryv Yes, in most cases, I can get parts for the engines I use most often. Even though this little switcher is long out of production, I found the motor blocks actually contain parts from two other motor blocks that are still being produced. Sadly, however, I do have a couple other engines which I use only sparingly due to lack of parts.
@@RockwallCanyonRRI have always wondered if a 3D Printer could be used to make gears and other components for locomotives and Rolling Stock that have been out of production, discontinued or company went out of business(AristoCraft Trains) so parts are nowhere to be found.
I have quite a few AristoCraft locomotives, rolling stock and many do need to be or have some repairers done, but no parts to make the repair.
So I'm wondering if it's even possible to use a 3D Printer to make those parts that have worn out or broken?
I always used AristoCraft knuckle couplers as I found them the most reliable knuckle style coupler, but, can't get them anymore, at least I haven't found any. So been using the USA Trains knuckle couplers, but they just don't seem to have the connection and stay together, always opening and releasing, rarely did I have that with the way AristoCraft knuckle couplers were made. Very frustrating when you can't keep your train interconnected.
What type of coupler system are you using on the Rock Canyon RR?
I am definitely looking for something better than my current knuckle couplers.
Hello again! The great news about AristoCraft is that Bachmann is now producing several of their models. There are three different diesel locomotive motor blocks available including the FA-1, Dash9, and GP40. They also produce some of the freight cars now, including the newer style 100 ton hoppers, Evans boxcars, and now some of the older models such as the 2 bay open hopper, and the single dome tank car. Many of the parts from these crossover to other models, so even when they don't specifically list your part, there's a good chance it might be found elsewhere.
As to 3d printing... Yes, this is also working out very well for us all. The Pioneer in this was a small biz called GLX who printed replacement parts for Aristo for the last 10 years or so. He no longer prints, but you can buy his part files and print them yourself. There are several others making replacement part files and finished parts. 4trackengineeing has an online store with parts available to ship.
Unfortunately, I have yet to see 3d printed gearing provide the same quality as the factory produced originals. Most of our trains use worm gearing, which I suspect is a particularly demanding form to try printing. The only successful replacement gearing I've seen has been machined from Nylon.
@@RockwallCanyonRR Thanks, I'm going to have to check Bachmann out again. I stopped buying their G gauge stuff a long time ago because they were never durable or long lasting. Most of their steam locomotives I purchased ended up as parts or junk in the trash.
Sure hope what they're doing now is better than what they were making about 10-15 years ago.
I don't own a 3D Printer, looked at some, but still too far out of my price range currently. But I know some folks that have one, figured if it was feasible and would work, maybe I could have them make up the parts I'd need.
Still don't know about what couplers are the best to use since like stated, I always used AristoCraft knuckle couplers, and so far the USA Trains I haven't been too thrilled with,but if that's what I have to use, then, that's what I'll use.
@HolidayDecorator Bachmann makes the Aristo coupler. Still made in the same factory as Aristo, Bachmann and USA Trains.