Will it Run? 83 Year Old Yellowstone Locomotive - Abandoned Project
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- Опубликовано: 15 окт 2024
- Around two years ago I was digging through some boxes at a train store and ended up finding this ho scale Varney 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone locomotive from around 1939. Unfortunately this locomotive was missing countless parts and was in some of the worst condition I've ever seen.
I believe this was likely started as a project that was never finished so getting it going would require making an entire drivetrain from scratch. I used Rivarossi and Tyco sets for the wheels, a generic 12volt motor and some gears from an Athearn.
After many hours of adjusting things and putting the engine together I was finally able to get it running again. I decided to give it a new coat of paint and some new details as well to finish it off.
My husband is a train enthusiast and he just loves your show. We can’t believe how you brought this thing back to life. You are just amazing to watch.
Thank you, I appreciate hearing that!
Harrison, this repair was ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!! You took a certifiable piece of junk, and got it on the rails and running again. Now all ya need is that trailing tuck, and it'll be PERFECT! BTW - love the paint job as well!
Thanks, I know it isn't perfect but I'm happy with what it is now.
@@SMTMainline if you can find a way to put a traction tire on the front truck it will stop the wheels from binding I don't think it's actually binding there is probably not enough weight to hold wheels on the rails even though you added some weight the tyco tender driven steams would bind a bit I actually took a piece of electric tape and cut it to size and put it on one wheel and it stopped the wheels from sliding on the rails where the two ends meet put a drop of glue don't over lap it will cause it to thump when it hits that spot.
You really have alot of talent. Very cool locomotive. Thanks for sharing with us.🚂 Happy Railroading
Yes Antoni agree so join me in nominating Harrison for a Noble Piece Prize.)
@@SMTMainline maybe at some trailing Wheels under the cab
I'm always impressed at what you do with a box full of spares and a hot glue gun. MacGyver of the RR hobby.
Harrison, your success with this engine was beyond restoration, it's resurrection: well done!
Wow 83 years old. Makes me realize i dont know when the first HO scale train was made. Nice job buddy.
For HO that's pretty long ago, I suspect the first were probably from the late 20s early 30s.
@@SMTMainline - Leonard Williams has some You Tube videos on that subject, " Bing Table Top Railway HO gauge vintage train deluxe outfit #4 clockwork circa 1923 made in Germany ". " Pennsylvania K4 steam engine 1st HO gauge engine made in America by George D Stock 1929 outside third rail ". & " Vintage Alco Diesel Locomotive Train Walther's one of the first HO gauge /scale diesels 1938-40 ".
2 years after the project was was announced it runs….
but seriously it is amazing how you got this ancient locomotive running again with parts that would not fit originally in the slightest! Amazing work! I was dumbfounded by how well it runs considering the kit-bashed drive. Also like how you preserved the original numbers;)
It might have taken a while but better late than never right? I'm amazed the drive works as well as it does too, that motor is pretty strong.
@@SMTMainline I wouldn't disagree, that motor is strong.
@@An_Official_Scratcher that’s what I said.
😲😲😲This is absolutely the most jaw dropping-est rebuild you have ever done!!! WOW!
Thanks
Another fine mission! Completed!!😎
This has been the highlight of the year for me. Great to see you revive, what to many would be scrap. I wish you all the best for future challenges. Niall in Ireland
Thanks a bunch! It was a tricky one but I'm very happy with the results.
Watching this make me want to make a Yellowstone,not just that but this kinda inspires me because it was in bad condition but you still pulled through even if it wasn’t 100% finished
😅 Me too
you did a amazing job fixing it up from a shell and a truck to a fully functional loco Great job
Amazing. I just love watching your videos. This is one of my favorites.
Bravo Harrison. This has to be your finest project to date. You took a piece of junk and turned it into a working engine. I’m sure that no one else would have taken the time nor had the success that you had. Congratulations!!
Wow SMT thats amazing your pretty much the doctor with trains, you fix everything with your skills. The steam locomotive looks amazing, the white painted wheels and side frames look awesome on it as well. Great video Harrison.
Thank you!
This by far was the most beautiful amazing video 🥰 love the artwork you did on her
Great job on restoring at Old Yellowstone nice to see something old but good running
Masters class chapter in the SMT manual. I'll look in my stuff. Might have a trailing truck&draw bar.
Well done SMT! Very impressed how you kitbashed the 2 different wheel sets to get it on the rails! With the new paint job it looks really nice and can even pull your intermodal train fairly well! You should definitely bring that to model train shows to showcase! You can also easily upgrade it to DCC and sound since there's a lot of space for a decoder and cube speaker!
Also, regarding my Bachmann F7, I sorted out the brushes in the pancake motor and it now runs like a champ! I used your Bachmann Amtrak F7 resto video as a reference. Its a 43 year old engine that is now back in service!
That one looked a little rough at the beginning lol. Amazing transformation!!!
It needed some love for sure. I wish I had the OEM parts though.
I would absolutely love more content on this locomotive
You’re becoming the MacGyver of model railroading! Well done.
You NEVER cease to amaze! 😮 Impressive indeed!
You oughta call it the "SMT" class, it's pretty much your own design
O M G!!!!! Absolutely amazing! The Harrison Touch prevails!! You did an incredible job on bringing life back to this beautiful old girl. Way to go Harrison. 💕
Thanks, this one was pretty tricky but I'm happy with the results.
Harrison you have some mad skills. Bringing life back to that 83 year old almost hopeless locomotive is quite an accomplishment.
Funny enough, I was literally looking for ideas to scratchbuild a B&O EM-1, also a Yellowstone, and the notification for this video comes up.
I’ll be honest, the sheer excitement in his voice, this man probably hasn’t been happier than that in a LONG time. 😂
Thank you for uploading this when you did Harrison, this is exactly what I needed. Awesome video, keep it up.
This restoration was taken to the next level you really have proven your talents SMT and I wish you the best
Thanks, it tested my skills but I'm happy with the results.
Congratulations there's nothing you can do you've helped so many people with your knowledge of HO ENGINES TRULY INSPIRING
Thanks a bunch!
This was awesome! I'm not much of a steam guy, but this got me really amped to build one as you did! Amazing job, hats off to ya. Would love to see you do this again and again in the future. Thanks for the fantastic content!
Thanks!
You all ways amazed me, with your projects. I been working on a kit based from a rivarossi cap forward to a Yellowstone. And I still have problems getting it to run. You have a talent, keep it up. 😊
Thanks, this was a tricky one.
@@SMTMainline I did some research and I found your Yellowstone is most likely a Northern pacific one. Due the shape of the cab, and when it was made.
Ahhh the days of glory for a steam engine and you, my friend, are the arcitecht that made it possible. Just imagine, for a moment. this little train that has possibly never run saying, "I'm alive and I'm running". Thank you Harrison, you are amazing.
For sure. Unlike most of what I work on this locomotive never had a "heyday" since it was never finished until now. It finally got to run and a spot in the limelight in front of a 159,000 people!
You basicly build a completely new loc made out of spare parts. I love it.
Very impressive to say the least. I would like to see a follow up video on this locomotive. I think a tune up to chase out the bugs, some more paint work, this would be a 10/10 rock star. Great work Harrison.
I'm gonna try my best to finish it off but I'm already happy with where it's at.
@@SMTMainline I am trying to think of trailing trucks for it....
FYI some of the first Diesel Switcher Trucks were adapted from Tender Trucks....
There's a Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Yellowstone that IS PRESERVED. I found it on Google, # 225. 225's rear truck looks *vaguely* like the front truck of an Athearn HO Rotary.
The Athearn Rotary Truck would have to be pushed "shimmed down" and an tongue/slot built to swing and guide the engine....
Wow! That was by far one of the most amazing model train Restorations I think I've ever seen before. Great job smt!
You have a runner! Good work Harrison thanks for taking us along.
Now it's official, i'm addicted to this channel...
Adding a trailing wheel set will help to keep the nose down and get the front drivers working better I think. Excellent effort!
I'm on the hunt for some.
Great video. Many years ago I tried something similar with two TYCO drives .I pull the axleand added a gear to it and . used a shortend Monogram big boy for the shell. Never got it to run. Nice to see your project is successful.
This is what model railroading is all about! Great work. Your resourcefulness with these projects always amazes me and it is another reason I am a subscriber. I can’t wait to see the final product!
You are definitely the Frankenstein of model trains
Wow! You did an awesome job on that Harrison. That is why I called you Dr. Trainkenstein. Parts from multiple manufacturers and miscellaneous parts and you brought it to life.
I like the name!
Phenomenal Harrison! I really enjoyed this video. I like how you pieced it together with stuff you have on hand. A skill I do not have.
There’s not much I can say that everyone hasn’t already said. Absolutely incredible. Things I like. As you know, the hot screwdriver through plastic. You rummaging through your parts collection. And finally, your genuine “yes!” when it first started to run. I’d like those 3 things in each video from now on please. 😊
FINALLY THE YELLOWSTONE AGAIN
When I clicked on the video I thought it was going to be a quick fix and motor maintenance, because of how good the thumbnail looked. And when I saw that carcass in your hand when the video started I was startled. I wouldn't have had the slightest idea of how to make that chassis into a running train. Wow I want to say that this is one of the most pleasing videos to watch on your channel. Just because of how stunning the results are, considering that at the beginning this just looked like a piece of metal.
Yeah buddy!!
Rummaging around through spare parts and cobbling together a loco that actually works, IS PROBABLY THE MOST SATISFYING THING, THAT A TINKERER CAN DO!!
And you made it look good also!!
Definitely a huge thumbs up!!
i love your content. it makes me so happy to see some of my favorite locomotives in ho scale get restored
I appreciate that.
Harrison: Amazing Transformation. We should be calling you Dr Frankenstein. Great job, you Mad Scientist. Bravo 👏
Thank you.
Harrison you did a TREMENDOUS on this rebuild what a great piece of work. Keep going young man once once again CONGRADS !!!!!!!!!!
I like the creativity of the front end of the locomotive. You might look into fishing weights, tire weights, or BBs to help weigh down the front end of the locomotive drivers.
Tire weights would be a good choice because of their shape, thanks for the suggestion.
When you yelled yes, it put a smile on my face. The work you do seems impossible!
I really liked this video, hope to see more like this one. Everybody can go out and and buy a new locomotive, but taking one like this and turning it into a runner is special. Hope to see you putting the finishing touches on it sometime.
I'd like to get the rest of the parts asap and call it complete :)
Hi I just got back in to the ho engines I like your channel it’s so good I have a engine that will only light up but will not go forward or backwards
Congrats on flexing your engineering muscles. Nice job using what you had on hand to get this running.
Very well done, I'm a big fan of restoring old projects people have left behind and am so glad to see another Modeler who's not afraid to tackle a mess and make it ready for the rails again.
A possible fix for that front set "locking up" would be adding some weights to the frame of those wheels. Since the boiler is mounted to the back set none of the weight is on the front, so I'd bet they're just slipping over the rails rather than gripping and spinning; I had a brass C&O 2-6-6-2 with a similar drive to yours and it did the very same thing.
Awesome job, keep up the good work!
i remember when you first got this piece and now it’s finally running it’s amazing how time flies
as someone who has seen one of these behemoths DMIR # 227 and a native of the territory they ran i am very excited you got this going again. now you just need some ore cars! also contemplating sending you a offer for it if your willing Harrison.
I’m genuinely impressed with how well this restoration project turned out. Nice work man!
That was an impressive MacGyver build.
Harrison, that was AWESOME! Your joy in seeing it run was infectious, I was rootin' for ya! It wasn't perfect but I wouldn't have tackled that. You deserve a medal for services to Model Locomotive Restoration! Well Done!
I had my doubts this one was gonna work out but somehow it lives on.
Called kit bashing many years ago,lost art now. Well done,thanks
Jeez, what an astounding restoration. Your talents bringing these ancient model railway relics to life are fantastic. Very cool, Harrison, great job!
Thank you very much!
Amazing work-love the combining of all the different parts!
This is my favorite salvage repair video! Love it! The white pin stripes definitely add a touch. Dual motor would be sweet on a heavy locomotive like that. Put the same drive with another can motor in the front.
Man you are truly the Rick Astley of train restoration. Never gonna give them up, never gonna let them down. Never gonna stop trying and toss them.
Great stuff!! Always a joy to watch you make something work again.
Wow, that was a hoot! I think that build was beyond MacGuyver and more along the lines of Dr. Frankenstein. No one more suprised that you when it actually ran, Nice work! I really enjoy your channel, Keep up the great content.
Wow!! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I am very impressed as well. Nothing can stop smt mainline!
Nice one pal!! It's great that you adapted everything yourself!! Congratulations!!
Trailing truck and a headlight this thing looks amazing
Absolutely beautiful and fantastic it's been in the making
Neatly done! My brain is over here mentally making a DCC conversion to that rig lol. Doable.. Two Rapido trucks under the tender and little to no wiring in the loco itself. Hide the whole DCC setup in the tender. Could even get sound!
Yeah this is a straight up super awesome vibe!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing like seeing vintage locomotives getting to run again in all their glory.
Thanks!
That was a fantastic ressurection of a discarded engine! Incredible transformation!
I like that train that turns like the big boy, it just looks so cool
I remember when you got this like for ever ago nice details and nice job on fixing it!
Impressive restoration 👌👍!
Running that Intermodal train reminded me about when the UP Challenger pulled an intermodal! 👍
I love how u gave her a chance to ride again, I member seeing this the first time. 🥰🥰💯💯
Varney never had a complete kit for these. They made the shell and that's it. This is from an era when there was hardly anything available in HO scale and, in order to build almost any locomotive, a modeler had to use a combination of the limited parts that were available and their own wits and creativity. Varney made their own locomotives but also many extra parts, motors, chassis, etc which could be purchased separately to help hobbyists. The Yellowstone was always intended to be such a project. It was to be powered by combining two existing Varney (or Mantua) 2-8-0 chassis with the trailing truck from their 4-6-4. I've seen one of these shells combined with two Varney 4-6-2 chassis to create a Challenger type 4-6-6-4. All up to the modeler. What you've done is perfectly keeping with how this boiler was intended to be used albeit with more modern parts. Way to go!
When I first saw this locomotive I was thinking well it probably wouldn't run. Or the project will be put off for a while due to lack of parts. But I see that you got it running and I could hear that massive excitement when it's almost like you wanted to jump up as you said it runs. That caught me off guard as well and then I smiled I was like damn that's amazing. Good job on the paintwork I like the white wall effect and lines.
I felt your excitement as your revamped 2884 circled your layout! Very nice ending to my day!
I’m not gonna lie this looks rough… but you can do it, I know you can!
Edit: wow
Be careful! You’re about to be officially declared a genius! Congrats, Harrison, on an impossible rebuild.
SMT! That is one heck of an incredible kit-bash! Also, when I sent you the box of items around Christmas time, I included some small weights that might help hold down the front drive wheel assembly. It also wouldn't hurt to also oil the crosshead guides and tender wheel bearings, along with the drivers, valve gear assembly, & where the piston rods enter the cylinders!
Shoot, I should have added those weights to the front truck. I added some oil but I think the main issue is that the screws were over torqued.
One man's junk is another man's Yellowstone! I enjoyed seeing this being built! Great job!
Glad you enjoyed it
I'm sure if this model train could talk it would be in tears for all the work you put into her to possibly finally getting to ride the rails like she wanted to so many years ago
That's a nice thought. It's nice to see something which has sat in a box for most of its existence finally get a chance to ride the rails.
It's alive !!! You are the doctor Frankenstein of HO scale locomotives. Lol Great job putting that mess together and getting it running. Best youtube channel out there,especially if you love those old trains. 👍
Very Enjoyable episode, SMT. Fun project and clever use of parts from other locomotives! Nice adaptation to convert motor position using Athearn gears. The live lighter flame sorta spooks me so close to motor and plastic, when you melted the heat shrink tubing. Amazing the loco makes those turns! Totally free swiveling leading unpowered drive wheels I am sure helped. Paint pen was a great idea, too. Your enthusiasm is a boost for the hobby! Best, Bobby
What an incredible turn around for this engine. I look forwards to you showing it fully finished. I do think it needs a bit more weight over the front wheels. You should be able to source the rear truck direct from Rivarossi as they still produce the BigBoy engine. All the best from the UK.
Harrison my friend, you out did yourself on this one!! Obviously, a little tweaking here and there but WOW bud! NICE GOING!!!!!
This locomotive is virtually the definition of the Johnny Cash song "One Piece At A Time", nice work Harrison!
Never heard of that song before
@@MattKonsol it's a good one, trust me! It's actually about a guy working for General Motors and he builds a Cadillac in his garage by "sneaking" parts home, as the song says, one piece at a time!
I remember when you first found it now we all see it back and running
Wow you are a very clever man restoring the abandoned 83 year old steam locomotive. Relatively anything old can be made new again I guess 😊. So happy to see it running again as good as brand new
Are Tyco Mantua drives a three pull? Are what type of motor is a Power Torque?
I like your videos. I'm older and grew up with these older model trains. I find it pleasing a young person like you takes interest in these old trains and try to make them run. I also do the same thing. If you have any questions about prototype locomotives I'm also a real engineer for Norfolk Southern I can do what I can for you. Been with NS for 28 years. Also have experience with older model trains. Keep up with what your doing! What your doing with this engine we old heads call kit asking lol
The front tyco truck was notorious for that. What I did was remove the wheel set and drill out the axle housing and get some copper tubing, cut it in half, length-wise, and use it for a new axle housing with a drop or two of CA to hold them in place. Just an idea….
A bench grinder works great for grinding the tubing in half. I tried a dremel but it just wastes the cutting discs and even if it does work one half of the tubing is too small to use for anything anyway……Toots…..and great job.
FrankenSteam lives again. Awesome job.
Harrison that was just awesome work, congrats! SERENITY..................
GREAT work, Harrison.