Driveshafts

[Tdm]

Where can I get driveshafts for my older model Farish Class 31?

I tried emailing BRLines but never got a reply, and have checked their Website and that of Peters Spares but can't see them advertised.

It is the "longer" (older?) type driveshaft, both mine have snapped on the 31, and I think the same driveshaft was used on other older models (Cl47 etc.?).

They appear very flimsy and have broken where they narrow at the end that goes in the motor not the bogie.

Is there a stronger driveshaft that can be used?

[Chinahand]

Have you tried ringing Bob ? His number is 01287 633036.

[DesertHound]

Tdm

As ChinaHand says, give Bob a call. He stocks pretty much everything and he's friendly to chat to and I'm sure he'll help you if you explain your situation.

I call him from overseas when I place an order so that I can pay with my credit card and I've always found him more than willing to chat and discuss any questions I may have. I personally find his service fantastic. Also being overseas, Skype is a good option (if you have the account set up to enable you to call phones).

Tdm, any chance you could send a picture of the offending item? There are two points you describe that make me wonder which kind of driveshaft you mean. I think (without getting a class 31 & 47 out right now) that the Poole designed class 31 had shorter driveshafts than the 47. I'll check later but I'm sure someone else will be along to confirm / refute this. I'm not 100% sure but will check later - we have family staying so I cannot pop into the spare room to check right now.

Secondly, Poole designed shafts were the same width in diameter (no narrowing) at either end. Same diameter along their length with a brass pinion gear / worm gear on one end.

This makes me think it's an older Bachmann design you're talking about. That said, I think the older Bachmann 31's were pretty much based on the Poole design. Just some thoughts I'm throwing up and I'm sure someone else will be along with the requisite knowledge.

Like I said before, useful if you can get a list of parts you need from Bob and buy them altogether. He'll do VAT free for overseas (non Zeu) purchases but it might be cheaper for you to pay the VAT and have it posted to a UK family member.

Cheers

Dan

[RussellH]

Presuming were talking about the split chassis 31 then Bachmann had stocks of these but you'll need to work out why its snapped - usually a split gear but maybe as simple as ballast stuck in the gear.

Regards
Russ

[Dr Al]

Tdm, any chance you could send a picture of the offending item? There are two points you describe that make me wonder which kind of driveshaft you mean. I think (without getting a class 31 & 47 out right now) that the Poole designed class 31 had shorter driveshafts than the 47. I'll check later but I'm sure someone else will be along to confirm / refute this. I'm not 100% sure but will check later - we have family staying so I cannot pop into the spare room to check right now.

This makes me think it's an older Bachmann design you're talking about. That said, I think the older Bachmann 31's were pretty much based on the Poole design. Just some thoughts I'm throwing up and I'm sure someone else will be along with the requisite knowledge.

This will be a Bachmann split chassis model almost certainly, as Russ points out.

This has a split chassis (like Poole class 90, but not based on it's tooling for the 31, unlike the 37,47,50,52,55) and uses plastic driveshafts to transmit power from Bachmann's (then) standard 5 pole skew wound motor with double flywheels. The old school Poole chassis design was scrapped by Bachmann in 2000 when they took over and replaced with this.

Cheers,
Alan

[Tdm]

Below is a pic of the one driveshaft I am talking about that I have left, alongside the bogie it goes into (the left hand end going into the motor that turns it). Is it a later or early driveshaft?, it is out of of a Class 31. Obviously I want one for the other bogie but it would be nice to have a couple of spares as well.

Haven't had a chance to ring Bob at BRLInes direct as been out most of the day and he won't be in again till Monday.

The thin end that goes into the bogie is where 2 of mine have snapped to-date. It appears it is a weak point if the bogie gets stuck with some fluff or ballast, instead of everything just stopping - the motor keeps turning and bends/snaps the driveshaft at it's narrowest point.

[DesertHound]

That's from a Bachmann Tdm.

Dan

[Tdm]

Thanks for the replies Guys, seems my 1st email to BRLines went into a Black Hole somewhere, so I have just sent another together with the picture of what I need and will wait to see if I get a reply before resorting to ringing, as sometimes the phone lines from Tenerife to the U.K. are a bit "iffy" or poor.