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Joe Bin

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Hello, I am new to the forum, and new to live steam.
I have acquired a used Aster JNR 8550 Mogul with quite a few missing screws, and a used Accucraft Ruby kit that is missing the valve gear assembly.

Dose anyone have some suggestions where to get screws for the aster mogul and what might be a good alternative for cylinders and/or valve gear for the ruby??
 
#2 ·
Hi Joe,
Welcome to this forum.
What part of the world are you living?
I am not sure which Mogul you are referring to, as Aster made two that were designated JNR. (I assume that is what JNL should read.)
Anyway, do you have the parts book with it?
Whilst you will find that there are 'regularly used screws', there are also quite a few of special length, or with shoulders etc., so it's best if you can refer to where they are used specifically.
I am sure that Ryan Bednarik will respond at some time as knows all there is to know about parts.
I hope that you will enjoy fixing the locos.
Regards,
David Leech, Delta, Canada
 
Discussion starter · #3 · (Edited)
David Leech said:
Hi Joe,
Welcome to this forum.
What part of the world are you living?
I am not sure which Mogul you are referring to, as Aster made two that were designated JNR. (I assume that is what JNL should read.)
Anyway, do you have the parts book with it?
Whilst you will find that there are 'regularly used screws', there are also quite a few of special length, or with shoulders etc., so it's best if you can refer to where they are used specifically.
I am sure that Ryan Bednarik will respond at some time as knows all there is to know about parts.
I hope that you will enjoy fixing the locos.
Regards,
David Leech, Delta, Canada
Click to expand...
Hi David, thank you for your response. I am in Courtenay BC on Vancouver Island, and yes That was supposed to say JNR. (I will edit that)
It is the first one they made that runs on one cylinder. Unfortunately I do not have a parts book or operators manual for the mogul. Most of the missing screws are common mounting screws of a couple differend sizes for the likes of the cab roof and the fuel tank, and the odd one appears to be missing on the boiler cover. there is one specialty screw missing that connects the tender. For the most part, I do not know a source for such tiny screws, nor do I know the thread types & sizes.
 
#4 ·
#6 ·
Joe Bin said:
Hello, I am new to the forum, and new to live steam.
I have acquired a used Aster JNR 8550 Mogul with quite a few missing screws, and a used Accucraft Ruby kit that is missing the valve gear assembly.

Dose anyone have some suggestions where to get screws for the aster mogul and what might be a good alternative for cylinders and/or valve gear for the ruby??
Click to expand...
Joe,
The Aster JNR 8550 uses a lot of M2 bolts - dozens of them. But there were special sizes too, so you would be well advised to start a new thread in the Live Steam Classifieds with a WANTED notice for the JNR 8550 instructions. That includes the list of parts and screws, so you can identify what you are missing.
They made about 3,000 kits so there should be someone who has one. I sold mine and it had the instructions, so I could email to ask if he still has it?

The Ruby is easier, as there was a complete upgrade kit sold with new 1/2" cylinders. I notice the Accucraft estore has the valve block (reversing valve and 2 cylinder valves) in stock for $42
https://www.accucraftestore.com/product-page/ap24-133-ruby-valve-block
 
Discussion starter · #7 · (Edited)
Thanks guys, for the links and advice. I have now ordered the Ruby valve block from the Accucraft store and will start compiling a list of more parts for my next order.

Pete, that is a great idea to post a want add for the Aster 8550 instruction book. I will do that now, thanks. Oh and yes please emailing the guy who bought yours. Even a scanned PDF copy should be suffice.

Edit: I checked my messages and It looks like I may already have a scanned copy of the book coming soon.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
JEFF RUNGE said:
Joe I have the entire assembly manual for the Aster 8550 in a digital format, If you tell me what you need I can email it. I no longer remember how to post images here.
Click to expand...
Thanks Jeff for the kind offer, but I now have the Manuel. Dave emailed me a copy yesterday. Now I am going through it and making a list of parts I need.


Thanks everyone for the links and kind offers, Now I have the Manuel for the Aster 8550 and parts on the way for the Accucraft Ruby. I will for sure be posting later on for more advice, as I Want to do some cosmetic modifications on these locomotives once I have them functioning well.
 
#10 ·
Hi joe I'm in Vancouver and supply parts for Aster to may of the fellows on Vancouver Island. In Courtenay you could contact Eric Cartwright at (250) 871-1881, he's in Comox, great guy. There is a good Club on the Island. pantages at telus.net
 
#11 ·
Parts from Aster Japan are no longer available for the 8550 mogul and any other pre-1980 Aster loco as of 2016. 1981-present model spares (what parts are still available on the older models) are still available from Japan.

For the Early locos; Schools, JNR 8550/C12/C62, SNCF 232TC/141R, etc...we here at Triple R Services have both a stockpile of consumables (acquired New Old Stock mostly) and are continually developing remanufactured parts to continue to support these models.

There is also cross reference to newer models that can be used for some items (gaskets and seals mostly). As David Leech says, I know far too much about the Aster Parts system for my own good..but am happy to pass on the trivial knowledge where it is useful.

If you need any other assistance feel free to contact me tr3services [atsign] gmail.com
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Dan Pantages said:
Hi joe I'm in Vancouver and supply parts for Aster to may of the fellows on Vancouver Island. In Courtenay you could contact Eric Cartwright at (250) 871-1881, he's in Comox, great guy. There is a good Club on the Island. pantages at telus.net
Click to expand...
Hi Dan, Thank you for the contact info. I will give Eric a call soon and have a chat. Is he in the Vancouver Island garden railway club? I have met a few guys from that club and plan to join once the self quarantine thing has lightened up. I will also email you for more details on your Aster parts business. I like it when parts are available in Canada.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
rbednarik said:
Parts from Aster Japan are no longer available for the 8550 mogul and any other pre-1980 Aster loco as of 2016. 1981-present model spares (what parts are still available on the older models) are still available from Japan.

For the Early locos; Schools, JNR 8550/C12/C62, SNCF 232TC/141R, etc...we here at Triple R Services have both a stockpile of consumables (acquired New Old Stock mostly) and are continually developing remanufactured parts to continue to support these models.

There is also cross reference to newer models that can be used for some items (gaskets and seals mostly). As David Leech says, I know far too much about the Aster Parts system for my own good..but am happy to pass on the trivial knowledge where it is useful.

If you need any other assistance feel free to contact me tr3services [atsign] gmail.com
Click to expand...
Hi Ryan, Thank you for your response to my post. That is great that you are manufacturing replacement parts for these obsolete asters.

One thing need to know that is not in the Manuel is the thread size on the coupling pin on the front of the tender. I think I can make a new pin once I know what die to use for the threads. I plan to try and run it on compressed air (as I've seen on youtube) to evaluate what needs repaired or replaced. After that, I may be contacting you for parts.
 
#14 · (Edited)
One thing need to know that is not in the Manuel is the thread size on the coupling pin on the front of the tender.
Click to expand...
I know Ryan has that info at his fingertips, and I have a Reno with the same pin so I will go and check in a minute - but it really is just a pin. In fact, I am continually annoyed by the screwed-in pin that stops the tender uncoupling quickly. When I was playing with my 8550 I used a short nail with a round head and just dropped it in the hole.


Edit: 10 minutes later. My Reno pin fitted with an M3 nut.

Image
 

Attachments

#15 ·
Yes, the 8550 uses the same pin, so it is M3 threading there too. A drop-in pin is nice, but the threaded pin at least gives piece of mind that the vibrations from running won't have the pin popping out all over the place.

I have a schools that has had the pin converted to spring loading where you pull up on it to uncouple. Will snap a few photos and upload if anyone desires to duplicate.
 
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Joe Bin
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