Ok, I ordered a brand new engine, a transformer, some track. Waiting for it all to come in the mail (Friday I think). In the meantime I can't stop tinkering with the junk I have.

Here is an old KMT Diesel. It does not appear to be high quality. It certainly does not appear to be worth fixing, but I have to tinker with what I got!



The front truck is broken. The way it appears to me is wired to take power from the outside wheels, not from a center rail. I am not sure the motor is good, so here is my outline.

1. Verify the engine works by touching the wires to a 16 volt AC power supply (I have one at work)

2. If the engine does work, replace the front truck with one that takes power from a center rail, like this example. I would need to buy something like this.



Am I on the right track? (no pun intended)

Flip that baby over so we can see the motor. With it only picking up current from the wheels it looks like it might be a two rail DC version. Not to worry though, you can take care of that by putting a bridge rectifier in it to get it to go one direction. If you need it to go both directions you can put a switch in it or buy one of the cheap electronic e units for a DC motor.

Gene Anstine

If it's DC then I'm screwed. I already hooked it up to an HO transformer and the motor did not respond. The light bulb came on though.

Kusan trains run on 2 rail DC power.
Running it on AC will fry the motor.
The way I run my Kusan stuff is I hook the DC power supply to the outside rails of MTH realtrax.
The positive wire to one outer rail,and negative to the other outer rail.(poor mans 2 rail)

Carl T.

The motor is DC. HO powerpacks are usually DC. The powerpack may not have enough power for that motor. If you want to restore it and if I get a chance I'll see if I have any Kusan parts left.
Bob

add the LionelIf I were you, since you like to tinker, I would:

Obtain some Lionel Can Motor mounted AAR trucks and reverse unit[off an Rs3 perhapse]

change the Light Bulb with an LEd Lightbulb[from Town & Country or Scott's Odds & ends]

add the Lionel PA cab interior unit [simulating Pa controls]

Otherwise if no sentimental value, Sell as Parts on Ebay and Buy the Williams "Fa-2" A-A combo in your favorite roadname!

member: TCA

quote:

# Obtain some Lionel Can Motor mounted AAR trucks and reverse unit[off an Rs3 perhapse]
# change the Light Bulb with an LEd Lightbulb[from Town & Country or Scott's Odds & ends]
# add the Lionel PA cab interior unit [simulating Pa controls]

Otherwise if no sentimental value, Sell as Parts on Ebay and Buy the Williams "Fa-2" A-A combo in your favorite roadname!

Undoubtedly good advice. I am not planning a DC two rail future, so I'll do one of the above. Probably option #3.

Any Kusan collectors reading this thread?

Why not just add the three rail pickup along with a cheap Lionel DC reverse unit for a can motor ?

quote:

Why not just add the three rail pickup along with a cheap Lionel DC reverse unit for a can motor Confused?

I wish I understood your answer. (beginner) Any suggestions for a source for the cheap Lionel reverse can motor?

I believe he means a reverse unit board that has the AC to DC rectifier in it... you might find one with a horn and bell too.
Taking a look at it I think I would sell for parts, you could have too much invested with board, shell, parts to really make a difference. I think I would find a sound board, pull the motor and make a dummy out of it...but who knows maybe you will stumble on an ole pullmor motor with a older electronic or mechanical E unit...Just may require more chassis mods.

quote:

I believe he means a reverse unit board that has the AC to DC rectifier in it... you might find one with a horn and bell too.
Taking a look at it I think I would sell for parts, you could have too much invested with board, shell, parts to really make a difference.

And this statement is correct. Take it from me with experience!

IF no sentimental value, it's NOT worth it! the UP williams version has what you need with a better paint job & detail and will last you for decades!



Marty has them priced under $230.00 for the AA set.
http://www.shop.mapajunction.c...ory.sc?categoryId=27

Why MArty is calling them "GM FA" is beyond me as these locos are representative of ALCo Fa type units.

This is what prrhorseshoe curve and I were speaking of. You would want item #400 for a DC field wound motor.

Dallee

I didn't check this time but before they were $40.

Gene Anstine

This has a DC motor. The simplest solutioon is to replace the truck as you sugested then get a full wave bridge from Radio Shack ( about $5.00 )hok up the wires from the truck to the AC in and hook up the DC out to the motor. The engine will move in only one diredtion Another solution is to get a Lionel reverssing unit board (less then $20) and use that. You will need to ad a switch to the direcdtion control wires( normally blue and white. I think the part number is 600-0103-100.

Well I tinkered some more today. The motor actually does work, I plugged it into my HO transformer and the wheels spin around nicely. So I guess to make this original it just needs one axle with wheels, and maybe a spring.

I can't swap a Lionel wheel or truck, these are much larger.