Motive Power of the Blackhawk and Central City

This page covers how to add the side rods and provide frame isolation.

1. 8mm long pieces of 5/32" plastic tubing isolates the brass axles from the frame. Fit the side rods to the drivers and use bushings and nuts from Alan Gibson shops that match the crankpins. The assembly is test rolled on a plate of glass and various sections of track. Any issues with drivers and frame construction are cleaned up at this point.

2. Disassemble the frame and remove the protective plastic sleeve removed from the back axle. Press the worm gear onto this axle and insert into the gear box. Shorten the back axle's protective sleeve to compensate for the gear box and reassemble the frame around the gear box.

Note: While the frame is apart, add the phosphor bronze wiper pickups as well. Two center-drilled 10mm x 3mm pieces are mounted on the four wheelers via the brass machine screw. Four 7mm x 3mm pieces are mounted on the six wheelers via the brass machine screws - the front wiper on each side is center drilled and the back wiper is drilled 0.5mm off center.