I've read on here that other people have done this so its not new, but here is my go at it. I wanted to finish up AWD Percy as I found pins that will work but the battery holders came in the mail today so I couldn't resist a quick mod.
The video showing the test run is at the end.
Tools I used:
#1 Phillips screw driver
Dremel with a large 60 grit sanding drum
Drywall knife with a fresh blade.
Parts needed:
I used 2 Gordon's and chassis weights from an old Thomas
3 AAA flashlight battery holder
I still need to work on the weights some, when he runs the course backwards he still derails on the curve at the end of the big ramp. Also in the video you can see that Gordon's tender has the front corner near the lid broken off, I wanted to use a beat up tender before I used one of the good ones I have.
First thing I did was strip down Gordon completely starting with the tender. I set the battery holder on top of the tender to see how much material I would have to remove. (Originally I was going to solder a wire to the battery holder and bend down the negative tab and solder it) If you flip over the tender you will see a metal tab that holds the terminals in place. Take a flat bladed screwdriver and push in on it then you can lean the terminal towards the inside of the battery compartment and gently pull it though (you dont have to de-solder the wire there is enough room to pull it though.
Now you take your Dremel (I use a 60 grit sanding drum) starting at the center of the terminal slot and grind back the material while test fitting (you have to grind both ends). You have to be very careful you can easily grind though the inner plastic! You need to grind it from the top to the very bottom for terminal fitment. Once the clearance is good take the terminal and bend the upright tab backwards about 30deg. The reinsert the terminals back into the original holes, and it lines up smooth and flat. The only minus is that you loose the molded in guide's that held the terminals straight but its not that big a deal.
Once you have the grinding finished the battery holder i received has a pointer showing direction and due to the way the battery holder is made you have to put it in with the arrow pointing at the back. before you put the battery holder in straight I took weights from the bottom of a Thomas train and put them in lengthwise at the bottom of the tender on opposite sides (you can see in the video better than I can explain) I also recommend wrapping the weights in electrical tape to prevent shorts.
The extra weights used are from another parts Gordon/Thomas trains.
I did a test without adding weight and it was pretty bad, it constantly derailed so I decided to add more weight. Unfortunately you would think there is alot of room in Gordon's body for more weight but not really. I ended up putting 2 10g weights at the front of the boiler, there is just enough room to get the drivetrain to fit inside. I also removed Gordon's face (take a small flat screwdriver and gently push in at the top of the body, eventually you'll break the glue. don't try and the bottom becasue you will break it off, as its held from the top! (I actually broke the first Gordon body doing this, luckily I have several!) Once you get the face off you will find a short fat weight I took the weight out; then take a drywall knife and cut down the 3 plastic uprights that hold the weight from moving down about halfway. Now goto your other Gordon body and remove the weight from his face. with the cut out weight well you can now put 2 face weights sideways, and his face slips back on nice and snug no need to re-glue it!
Once this is done reassembly Gordon, double check when you put the front and middle wheels/axles back in as the middle axle has a smaller diameter wheel.
I weighed Gordon fully assembled with the batteries installed and he came in at 220 grams. I should've weighed him before I started with a "C" battery just to compare.
Watch the video here:
https://youtu.be/by-MxFloScE
I hope you enjoy!
The video showing the test run is at the end.
Tools I used:
#1 Phillips screw driver
Dremel with a large 60 grit sanding drum
Drywall knife with a fresh blade.
Parts needed:
I used 2 Gordon's and chassis weights from an old Thomas
3 AAA flashlight battery holder
I still need to work on the weights some, when he runs the course backwards he still derails on the curve at the end of the big ramp. Also in the video you can see that Gordon's tender has the front corner near the lid broken off, I wanted to use a beat up tender before I used one of the good ones I have.
First thing I did was strip down Gordon completely starting with the tender. I set the battery holder on top of the tender to see how much material I would have to remove. (Originally I was going to solder a wire to the battery holder and bend down the negative tab and solder it) If you flip over the tender you will see a metal tab that holds the terminals in place. Take a flat bladed screwdriver and push in on it then you can lean the terminal towards the inside of the battery compartment and gently pull it though (you dont have to de-solder the wire there is enough room to pull it though.
Now you take your Dremel (I use a 60 grit sanding drum) starting at the center of the terminal slot and grind back the material while test fitting (you have to grind both ends). You have to be very careful you can easily grind though the inner plastic! You need to grind it from the top to the very bottom for terminal fitment. Once the clearance is good take the terminal and bend the upright tab backwards about 30deg. The reinsert the terminals back into the original holes, and it lines up smooth and flat. The only minus is that you loose the molded in guide's that held the terminals straight but its not that big a deal.
Once you have the grinding finished the battery holder i received has a pointer showing direction and due to the way the battery holder is made you have to put it in with the arrow pointing at the back. before you put the battery holder in straight I took weights from the bottom of a Thomas train and put them in lengthwise at the bottom of the tender on opposite sides (you can see in the video better than I can explain) I also recommend wrapping the weights in electrical tape to prevent shorts.
The extra weights used are from another parts Gordon/Thomas trains.
I did a test without adding weight and it was pretty bad, it constantly derailed so I decided to add more weight. Unfortunately you would think there is alot of room in Gordon's body for more weight but not really. I ended up putting 2 10g weights at the front of the boiler, there is just enough room to get the drivetrain to fit inside. I also removed Gordon's face (take a small flat screwdriver and gently push in at the top of the body, eventually you'll break the glue. don't try and the bottom becasue you will break it off, as its held from the top! (I actually broke the first Gordon body doing this, luckily I have several!) Once you get the face off you will find a short fat weight I took the weight out; then take a drywall knife and cut down the 3 plastic uprights that hold the weight from moving down about halfway. Now goto your other Gordon body and remove the weight from his face. with the cut out weight well you can now put 2 face weights sideways, and his face slips back on nice and snug no need to re-glue it!
Once this is done reassembly Gordon, double check when you put the front and middle wheels/axles back in as the middle axle has a smaller diameter wheel.
I weighed Gordon fully assembled with the batteries installed and he came in at 220 grams. I should've weighed him before I started with a "C" battery just to compare.
Watch the video here:
https://youtu.be/by-MxFloScE
I hope you enjoy!