A video featuring a recently repaired Mainline J72

Hi All,
For anyone interested in the old Mainline split-chassis J72, I have just posted a YouTube video of one I have just finished repairing.

I bought this model a few years back from a well known auction site. It was listed as nearly mint, but with a jammed motor, and was very reasonably priced.

I thought it might be an easy fix requiring just a bit of servicing, but it turned out to be much more serious as the pins which hold the gears in place had both broken off.

I managed to repair the gears by drilling out the casting and fitting new pins, and even got the motor to turn them. Unfortunately, when I tried to fit the wheels they did what split-chassis wheel sets do and fell to bits in my hands…

I lost heart, and it was four years later when I got my enthusiasm back and bought replacement axels off the well known internet auction site again!

With the axels replaced, and a bit more fettling, I finally had a working model.

Looking at the condition of the model, and absolutely no sign of wear on the wheels, I don't believe the model had ever run. I am guessing it was returned to the shop and it was resold as spares as there is a spares label on the box. So I am very happy to have got the J72 running after, possibly, 40-years?

Anyhow, a short video featuring some photographs of the repairs and a little run around the kitchen table-top layout:

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All the best


Gordon :-)

A great repair and lovely to see it running so well.  I would not know where to begin!  Great job.
Michael

Thank you Michael,
It might be the second noisiest model I own (an Airfix Prairie takes that honour!), and it wobbles a bit too, but I'm delighted to have it running after such a long time.

Gordon :-)

Great stuff Gordon.  :thumbs

I think I still have one of those in a box somewhere - a lovely little loco in it's day and well done you for bringing one back to life.

[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:

Great stuff Gordon.  :thumbs

I think I still have one of those in a box somewhere - a lovely little loco in it's day and well done you for bringing one back to life.

Thank you Peter,

Yes, I love the LNER green livery and green painted wheels, and even by 0-6-0 standards it is quite small – very pleased to have it in my collection.

All the best

Gordon :-)