Varney Dockside Switcher

[ebtnut]

FWIW,  I'm pretty sure that Earl's loco is the PFM version, which did come with lost wax brass valve gear.  I believe the "T" inside the "builder's plate (where the "V" shows on Jonathon's Varney model) stands for Tenshodo.  Note the cast-in representation of the power reverse just ahead of the cab, which doesn't appear on the Varney model. As I think I mentioned previously, I have the PFM version.  I tired re-motoring it with a Faulhaber micro-motor and gearhead, but did something wrong and burned the motor out.  It's still on the back of the workbench 15 years later, waiting for me to get back around to it after I get done with the 30 other projects that need to get done too.

[jonathan]

Wow.  Good catch.  When I read his article, he said it was a Varney and he used a Central Valley valve gear.  However, I can now see the "T" on the plate.  I just assumed he added the power reverse.  Something is fishy.

You can have one of my roundtuits to fix your PFM dockside.

R,

J

[ebtnut]

It's quite possible that Earl did in fact detail a Varney loco and add the CV valve gear.  Maybe years later, when the pic was to be taken, he just grabbed a Docksider, not remembering that it was the PFM, not the old Varney.  These things happen.

[J3a-614]

Looks like Jon might want to start a Dockside collection.  At least, let's see what else might be out there while waiting for the valve gear to turn up.

Speak of the devil!  Darn, it's been sold!

http://brasstrains.org/sakura-brass-cast-0-4-0t-dockside-locomotive

Well, this is interesting, actually has reversing valve gear.  You do need that in a large-scale live steam model.  Electric version available, too.  Who wants to model Pratt Street in Baltimore in Gauge 1?

http://www.americanmainline.com/loco-G722.htm

I wonder if this is still there; an IHC version (copy of AHM-Rivarossi); probably not as good as a proper Varney, but maybe it's at least available:

http://www.ustrainco.com/Loco-St-0-4-0-Dockside.htm

Not a Dockside, but a Varney, specifically an 0-8-0 based on the Reading 2-8-0; looks like something from the Lehigh & New England:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250626141910

Came from here:

http://www.modeltrainprice.com/index.php?model=Santa+Fe+2000&scale=38278

Again, not a Dockside, not even a locomotive, but it is a distinctive B&O piece, the prototype was probably built in the car shop at Keyser, W.Va., not a bad way to start into brass if you can get it at that price:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140403968566

I'm afraid I'm not doing too well, but maybe there is still something you can use:

http://www.modeltrainprice.com/index.php?model=Santa+Fe+2000&scale=97780

Just seeing what else might turn up:

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/gem-models-brass-sh-119-o-class-c16-4-68636633

Life Like, back in the bad old days, had a cheap version; you can probably tell I'm getting desperate; wouldn't have thought this would start getting hard to find:

http://www.procustomhobbies.com/popwin.shtml?c0433_8301.gif?433~8301~LIFE LIKE PRODUCTS~35.98~18.00~HO~Dockside switcher B&O No.98

Found an IHC 2-10-2, up in Canada:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-HO-2-10-2-SANTA-FE-WESTERN-MARYLAND-WM-DCC-READY_W0QQitemZ230467304596QQcmdZViewItemQQssPageNameZRSS%3AB%3ASRCH%3AUS%3A101

http://cgi.ebay.com/HO-IHC-Baltimore-Ohio-2-10-2-santa-fe-type-6185-NIB_W0QQitemZ390187909057QQcmdZViewItemQQssPageNameZRSS%3AB%3ASRCH%3AUS%3A101

http://toys.shop.ebay.com/IHC-/38274/i.html?LH_SALE_CURRENCY=0&LH_PrefLoc=1&_LH_Time=1&_armrs=1&_from=R6&_ftrt=902&_ftrv=48&_ipg=200&_mPrRngCbx=1&_pcats=19128%2C479%2C220&_sargn=-1%26saslc%3D0&_udhi=100000000&_udlo=1

That's all for now--good luck

[jonathan]

A collection?  No.  I have two:  one is the Varney (grampa's first engine).  And a plastic, Life Like version (my first).  I just want to get the Varney as close to perfect as possible.

However, my search for the valve gear has turned up the same websites as yours.  Amazing how many brass, zamak, and plastic versions of this model were produced.  The prototype was a bit obscure, to say the least.  You'd think there'd be valve gears up the ying yang, just waiting for crazy modelers, who can't get enough tiny detail.

Here's the brass whistle, lest you think I'm taking a break:




Regards,

Jonathan

[pdlethbridge]

try this link
http://www.bessemerhobby.com/.sc/ms/cat/HO%20Bowser%20Parts--All/21

pawstrains.com had a lot of bowser parts out in washington state if you can find them. When I just looked at yardbird they had a set of valve gear (m754 ) for the 0-4-0 shifter, the one with the tender, would that fit?

[BaltoOhioRRfan]

I've got the IHC/MEhano version of the docksider which has a lot of detail to the valve gear.



if you can find one i would suggest using it if your for detail.

[jonathan]

PD,

Like the look of that website.  At the office, I have a list of every Bowser part number associated with all the valve gear parts, less the rivets and screws.  I will definitely try to order whatever parts they have available.  It never hurts to ask. Thanks.  I hadn't heard of this company.

B&ORRF,

Believe me, nothing would make me happier to bid on an IHC/AHM/Rivarossi 0-4-0 with valve gear.  If I could get it to fit, that would be the end of my quest.  The problem is the valve gear hangar.  All the other Dockside makers put the motor in the rear of the shell.  The drive gear was mounted on the rear axle.  This left room to mount the gear hangar on the frame.

Varney mounted the motor in the middle, using the forward axle as the drive gear.  I don't even know how Bowser or Varney managed to mount the valve gear hangar, but I really want to find out.  Perhaps the hangar was stuck to the crosshead guides (uneducated guess).

I want to be wrong about this, but I don't think the gears are interchangeable.

Regards,

Jonathan

[BaltoOhioRRfan]

hmmmm, i would say try moving the drivers around shouldn't really hurt anything considering that the wheels should be the same just the diffrence being the gear.

[J3a-614]

Well, Jon,

I got curious, and I took a look at Bowser pages and the Bessemer pages, and it looks like Bessemer has what you will need:

Crosshead Left No. 1-8651 ........................$3.90
Crosshead Right No. 1-8652.........................3.90
Crosshead Link No. 1-9830 (2x$.67).........1.34
Combination Lever Left No. 1-70242..........1.32
Combination Lever Right No. 1-70243.......1.32
Valve Rod No. 1-9810 (2x$.67)....................1.34
Eccentric Rod No. 1-8860 (2x$.67).............1.34   (See Notes)
Radius Link No. 1-9850 (2x$1.25).........,,,,,,2.50   (See Notes)
Valve Gear Hanger Left No. 1-70244..........2.58
Valve Gear Hanger Right No. 1-70245........2.58
Transmission Rod No. 1-70201 (2x$.79)...1.58    (See Notes)
Eccentric Crank No. 1-9870 (2x$1.25).......2.50
Rivets (20) No. 1-67010..................................3.31
Spacer No. 1-874 (2x$.99)..............................1.98    (See Notes)

Notes:  Certain parts in this list are misnamed by Bessemer/Bowser, at least in terms of prototype terminology I'm familiar with.  What Bessemer calls an eccentric rod is actually a valve rod or radius rod, a radius link is also called a reverse link, and the transmission rod is the real eccentric rod.  If I know anything about store employees, use Bessemer's terminology when ordering to avoid confusing them.

Also, note that Bessemer part number series is the same as Bowser with a 1- prefix, handy to know in a parts search.

Based on the photos I've seen, you will need to replace your crossheads; the replacements have an attachment for the crosshead link that your current ones lack.  The spacers shown in the list may be optional; some spacers and screw combinations will not work with certain eccentric cranks, at least that was my experience with a Mantua 0-4-0 I added valve gear to.  Hopefully, that's all you'll need.

Links to Bowser/Varney instruction sheets for reference:

http://www.bowser-trains.com/hoemrrs/dockside/Dockside_old.pdf

http://www.bowser-trains.com/hoemrrs/dockside/dockside.htm

http://www.bowser-trains.com/hoemrrs/dockside/Dockside.pdf

Double check everything before you order; I'm only human, I can make mistakes, too!  There is a possibility you may need some extra screws for things like attaching the valve gear hangers to the frame, that's one thing I didn't check for.  You may want to order some spares, notably the rivets, you always loose at least one of those (as you probably already know).  

The instructions from Bowser suggest the valve gear can be adapted to your Life Like version.  Alternately, all the other parts to build a whole new Dockside seem to be at Bessemer.  Two of those engines alternated on Pratt Street until GE 44-tonners replaced them in 1950. . .

Have fun.

[jonathan]

J3a-614,

Thank you.  You saved me the research work I was going to do on Monday.  Yes, I will need the new crossheads, as the present ones have no attachments for the crosshead link.

I will start working up the order when I get a little extra time today.

You know, I was starting to eye the stock brass and steel rods and tubing at the my LHS.  I was actually thinking about attempting to make my own parts.  That's how serious I am about finishing this project.  That would be a disaster if I had to go that route.

The rivets will be a chore.  I made my own rivet tool out of a track nail.  I have some eye glass screws (0-90).  I may get a kadee 0-90 tap set and see what happens.

Thanks again.

Regards,

Jonathan

p.s. Parts ordered.  That cost more than all the other parts put together, including the motor.  I must be crazy.  Thanks PD and J3 for getting me back on track.

[J3a-614]

You're quite welcome, although your wife may disagree!  :-)

I wonder if it isn't too late to add one or two of these to your order?

http://www.bessemerhobby.com/.sc/ms/dd/ee/5173048/Bowser%20RIVET%20TOOL%20-%20H-36

Someone once said a hobby is something you go crazy over to keep from going crazy over life in general.  And considering how rough things were in the 1930s and part of the 1940s, I wonder how much sanity was preserved by model builders of all types (including air and boat modelers) in that time as they improvised miniatures out of wood and paper?  And they had to be careful of their money then, too.

Have fun.

[Woody Elmore]

Jon - at one time the Bowser Alligator crosshead came with attachment points on both sides. You would use the lower one and remove the upper one - they used the same crosshead on the K-11, PRR engines but not the dockside.

If you need screws or spacers and have just located a bunch of parts in my garage attic. The length of the spacers vary with the 0-80 screw used in the driver. I'll let you know what I have in an email.

As for the money spent, I am reminded of the line from the late Mets pitcher Tug  MvGraw when he was asked what he would do with his World Series  bonus. He said, "I'll spend some of it on women and partying. The rest I'll just squander." So you'd probably only squander the model railroad budget on food, gasoline or mortgage!

[J3a-614]

Squandering money on food, clothing, the car, the mortgage. . .gotta love some of the philosophy around here!

I won't say I'm tired of working, but I'm tired of working where I've been working for the last 29 years (it'll be 30 this November), and while I qualify for retirement, that's not the same as being able to afford it.  For now, it means I have to keep making a living, which unfortunately interferes with living.

Classic blue-grass song, could be the lament of a pusher crew (particularly the fireman on a hand-fired engine) in West Virginia!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBfiQO-iuWk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mtHJxCAwAk&feature=related

Have fun!

[jonathan]

Well, whether it's squandering or maintaining sanity, any excuse will work for my little obsession.  At my age, I still have young kids at home, so I'll be working until the end of time.  That's OK.  As long as I have my family and my trains, everything is pretty much alright with me.

Hopefully the valve gear parts will be on their way soon.  In the meantime, I'm ready to begin my final push to finish this little treasure.  I've got chains to hang, lights to redo, couplers to replace, a crew to install, and anything else I can think of until the really hard part begins.  Wish me luck.  The tools and parts await my guidance.



Will check in when I get stuck, or when this engine is ready for prime time.  I'm guessing the former will hit before the latter.  

Regards,

Jonathan

Woody, good to know you have some back up pieces in case I get stuck without an important ort of some sort.