Van Hobbies - Canadian Pacific U3e 0-6-0

This is a typical 1970s Van Hobbies, Samhongsa built, locomotive.  It came stock with an open frame motor and fairly decent diecast gearbox.  The stock gearbox was pretty good in its day, but doesn't compare to a NWSL replacement.  There is no cab interior and the cab is a conventional open type so the motor is visible.  This locomotive was upgraded with a NWSL gearbox, torque arm drivetrain and NWSL can motor.

NOTE: There is a very bad design flaw in this locomotive.  All the drivers are slightly under gauge from the factory.  When the wheels are pulled out to the proper gauge, the side rods rub and jam against the cylinder guides.  It took a lot of time, but the only solution to the problem was to bend the guides out as far as possible and install NWSL trust washers between the wheels and frame to remove as much side to side play in the front axle while leaving it loose enough to navigate curves.

(Sorry, I forgot to take pictures before returning it to the owner.)

Click here for Installation notes.