Hello I picked up a Varney Diesel Locomotive off the Ebay. I knew when I bid it was non-running and "parts only." It did however have this motor assembly in it and that still runs. Any ideas of where the motor assembly came from? Unknown Motor Assembly Top by Bill Debevc posted Feb 2, 2022 at 4:58 PM Unknown Motor Assembly Bottom by Bill Debevc posted Feb 2, 2022 at 4:58 PM Unknown Motor Assembly Side by Bill Debevc posted Feb 2, 2022 at 4:57 PM Unknown Motor Assembly Iso by Bill Debevc posted Feb 2, 2022 at 4:56 PM
It comes from a Tyco F unit. This is one of the earlier versions before they started making everything out of plastic. After the Consolidated Foods buyout, there was a noticeable decline in quality. I have seen one or two of them, I think their biggest flaw from a mechanical design perspective is the rivet that holds the coupler. There is no way to swap the coupler without drilling it out, and plenty of these train set locomotives end up with broken couplers after sliding around in an empty box for 50+ years.
Thank you. That solves that issue. Now I need to remake the main frame that holds it all together. If there is interest can make a build log showing how I rebuilt this thing. Even though it as the wrong parts.
Yep Varney Pretty early 1940. Cary also made a metal, similar but not same. I wonder if you could slip an Athearn Blue Box F unit power chassis under that? You would have a lot better running unit. I have used Cary shells before, but not Varney.
When I was little I had a Athearn loco that was wonderful. It would coast for ever it seemed. I really don't have the room anywhere to put up a track layout. It's going to be a shelf loco, but I hope to make it at least run.
@Mr. Trainiac you are correct I was able to find the exploded diagram here: https://hoseeker.net/assemblyexplosiontyco/tyco226f9apg2.jpg
The way the Tycos were made is there wasn't any separate frame/chassis. The trucks were held into the shell with long screws on each side going up into the shell. These were the earliest ones until about the mid sixties and then, Tyco had the truck assemblies attached to a metal plate which had extensions on the sides which snapped into slots on the shell. These slots are easily seen on later units. It's possible to remove the rivet holding the coupler pocket together by squeezing the rivet slightly so it will pull through holes and then replacing it after, say, a broken coupler is replaced. I have done it a few times. These trucks were used on the GP20 locos, too, and others. Tyco locos are still fairly common on eBay and other venues. Doug
BTW, that diagram is for the rarer twin powered version. The more usual single powered version just has a power truck on the rear and the front truck just picks up current. The front truck has a bracket that is screwed, similarly, into the shell. Doug
The history of early RTR HO is always interesting. Great insights here. I don't know much, but instantly recognized the Tyco MU 2 motor. All the replies here regarding the motor are entirely correct, and need no augmentation. I will say, however, that the MU2 is a rugged motor, not great for low speed running (3 pole?), but stands up to the test of time. That riveted coupler is a real pain.