I just posted a repair manual for the Overland brass Little Joe. Might be helpful to some owners. This one belongs to Mark Spookshow. It was absolutely GORGEOUS-- but ran like cr&^%&^$&^^p. All fixed now, actually BETTER than new. The document is here. http://u18b.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/LitJOErepairMANUAL.pdf Remember, Spookshow buys stuff for his encyclopedia, evaluates it, and then sells it to get his money back. So if you are interested in this particular piece I have improved, contact him.
Thanks, (hey it's not too late!) My Kumata book is on hold because of the massive EP-2 project I'm in the middle of. But one day I will publish a PDF of how to improve KMT locos. I've worked on one of almost every single Kumata loco ever made. And I have not failed to make a good runner out of any of them (although the original NJ EP-2 was one of the worst).
Thanks a million Ron, you really saved my bacon on this one. It should make some Milwaukee Road modeler (who actually runs his trains) very happy Cheers, -Mark
what a great write-up ! another superb bearden-mod ! some thoughts though. you mentioned a previous owner. could it be he cut the boards on top of the motor in two parts ? i assume if it would be one part only it might help to keep both motors in place. what about using one single "double-ended" motor instead of the two ? first thought was a kato e8/9 motor.
Sandro, Good questions. 1. I'm certain the previous owner did not cut the boards. They were made as two pieces. But I agree with you..... if they had made it as one piece it would have made the whole setup more rigid. 2. I gave considerable thought to just putting a big single motor in there. But that would have been an even bigger mod. I would have to find a way to secure the motor. Then, I would have to re-create the pick-up tabs that go up to the light board. While ONE motor is much better, it would have been harder. I just went the easy route and it worked out well.
Turn the sound up on your computer. See how quiet the repaired Little Joe runs. Sorry the format got stretched. Don't have time to go fix it. Purpose is to highlight how quiet the loco is-- not my crappy video editing and posting skills are. http://youtu.be/sP4aJr_Iuzg
Well Ron, I've said it before and I'll say it again - you are a genius! My gosh, this thing runs like a Kato now. Well done! Here's my final review - http://www.spookshow.net/omijoe.html Cheers, -Mark
Nice review, as always, Mark. I clicked on the targeted ad banner at the bottom and it was a page about using Fluke test instruments to aid in making your industrial motor drives run smoothly and efficently.
Wow! I wish I had the money to afford it, both to support spookshow and because it sounds like his reworking of it was rather successful.
Hmmmm... I keep seeing it come back up on Ebay... I wonder if he'd accept payment on the installment plan?:startled:
I lot of folks I know would love to own it. A lot of folks I know just don't have the funds. Thankfully what I would model in MILW electrics, is an area sans Little Joes. And nobody, (except scratch builders and maybe someone using Shapeways), makes Boxcabs, yet.