Improving the Arnold S2

[BCR751]

I know this has been talked about in the past but the last post was back in 2009 and I'm hoping some new info has surfaced.  I have two of these oldies and would like to get them up to good running condition.  Both have the cracked gear syndrome.  I searched the NWSL site and didn't see anything in the gear section that would work.  Someone had previously mentioned a Kato wheelset for a PA-1, I think, but wasn't sure if it would work.  Has anyone fiddled with one of these in the more recent past and come up with a sure-fire fix?

Doug

[alhoop]

Looks to me like they are still there:
http://shop.osorail.com/product.sc?productId=1433&categoryId=-1
I used this set many years ago.
Al

[nkalanaga]

As far as I know the NWSL part is still available.  And, since the new wheels also have small flanges, the loco will run on code 40 flextrak with no problems.  Mine turned into a very nice running switcher.

[peteski]

As far as I know the NWSL part is still available.  And, since the new wheels also have small flanges, the loco will run on code 40 flextrak with no problems.  Mine turned into a very nice running switcher.

Those worms made out of steel springs spinning in a plastic channels work surprisingly well.

[Chris333]

I used the NWSL wheelsets and got wobbles. Ended up using stock wheels on the NWSL axles. They are 1mm axles instead of the normal 1.5mm used on most locos.

[peteski]

I used the NWSL wheelsets and got wobbles. Ended up using stock wheels on the NWSL axles. They are 1mm axles instead of the normal 1.5mm used on most locos.

I thought that most N scale Diesel locos use 1mm (or 1.2mm) axles.  Don't steam loco models use 1.5mm axles?

[Chris333]

I thought that most N scale Diesel locos use 1mm (or 1.2mm) axles.  Don't steam loco models use 1.5mm axles?

Most N scale diesels don't use axles. 

[peteski]

Most N scale diesels don't use axles. 

Many European made models do (like Arnold, Minitrix, Roco, etc.). 

[Chris333]

I guess the real problem is most of NWSL wheelsets are with 1.5mm axles. So they seem to have a problem with these that are 1mm.

Also I'm pretty sure the gear had a lot of debris on them. They cut gears in a long stick and then slice them into thin gears. Mine looked like a 2x4 cut with a dull blade. I hit them with a nylon wire wheel in the Dremel to get them cleaned up.

It the end the gears worked. They are in my HH660 kit bashed from a S2 chassis.

*and I had to turn down the flanges on those stock wheels.

I'd say to just buy the Atlas model, but now I guess we will see if that is a good idea or not. 

[Rasputen]

From the NWSL catalog (under N gauge wheelsets, page 3 of section 3):

Arnold/Walthers S2 Diesel upgrade geared wheelsets Part # Price
40"/72 1.0mm x .445" axle geared wheelsets (4/pkg) 2679-6 $30.95
40"/64 1.0mm x .445" axle geared wheelsets (4/pkg) 2680-6 $30.95

Note- the online store lists these as $39.95 each, the above is from the PDF catalog.
Not cheap but I don't know of any alternative.  Chris is right that you will need to spend some time with an optivsor and a sharp X-acto knife to remove all of the flash from the sides of the gear teeth.

They also list the gears separately:
2152-6 15 SG 5.15mm 1.0mm delrin Walthers/Rapido S2 axle
The only problem is the gears are $9.95 each, so you might as well buy the geared wheelsets!

I've got one that I also fitted with a Hans Starmans re-motor kit, which uses a Maxxon 10mm diameter motor, and it really runs great.
I had to add a small plastic shim inside of the rear spring cup, to keep the drive spring engaged with the rear truck.

[craigolio1]

This isn't at all related to what you asked about, but are you making S13s?  If so I'm super interested!

Craig.

[u18b]

Doug,  just to clarify a bit.

NWSL made TWO wheel sets for this loco.  One has small flanges and one has SUPERfine flanges that were much closer to scale.

The superfine ones were gorgeous but almost too fine for this light little switcher.  My S-2 would derail too easily.  In the end, I placed these wheels under my very very heavy Alco T-6 kitbash.   The extra weight of the pewter shell kept the loco on the track.

[BCR751]

Thanks for the replies, guys.  I must be going blind because I didn't see those entries on the NWSL product list.  Either that or I didn't really know what I was looking for   

Ron (u18b) do you know which NWSL wheelset has the super-fine flanges?  I'd like to stay away from that one.

What is the issue with the axle diameter?  Is there a clearance problem with the 1.5mm vs the 1.0 mm?

I think I'd opt for the complete wheelsets rather that try to put the Delrin gear on the stock axle.  Does this sound logical?

Doug

[Chris333]

The Arnold S2 axles are 1mm and it seems (to me) NWSL has problems pressing wheels on straight when using thinner axles. Maybe it is the smaller "top hats" that are used, I don't know. Mine wobbled like a Bachmann steam loco 

Maybe yours will be perfect.


If it matters I have since learned a trick to help straighten the wheel that I didn't know back when I was working with these NWSL wheels. I made a set of brass cups on the lathe that I could pop the wheels into. Then use the lathe the press the axles in straight. In this photo I popped in a MTL wheelset just to show how it works. I used this with mu Searails Powermax chassis (that also used 1mm axles and had wobbly wheels)

[u18b]

I'd just be guessing.
The listing above says 40/72. And 40/64

If I were going to guess, I would think the smaller number is the ultra fine flanges.

So I'm guessing the 72 is the one you want.