Maxitrak ALICE

[Red DotParticipant @reddot]

I have a Maxitrak ALICE that I would like to return to working order. There are two main problems – neither of the water pumps are working, and the valve gear has come loose, and needs setting up from scratch.

Has anyone been here before me?

[Red DotParticipant @reddot]

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

I think most of us have!

[SteambuffParticipant @steambuff]

Red Dot (sorry don't have your real name)

Do you have the manual for the loco? (It gives you some hints on the pump issues)

I seem to remember that there is a youtube video on setting the valve gear … not sure if it is for the Alice or not.

Dave (A Alice owner)

[Red DotParticipant @reddot]

Thanks Steambuff. The model is factory built, and came with operating instructions only. Maxitrak have kindly sent me the instructions for the kit version. But it seems that the chassis comes fully assembled in the kit, so there are no clues about setting up the valve gear.

The locomotive used to be advertised as being suitable for either 4.75" gauge or 5" gauge. To accomodate this, everything seems to be attached to the axles with grub screws. Presumable you just slide things along the axles to set the gauge that you want. If I ever get this loco running properly, I will be looking to find a better way of 'locking' things to the axles.

The water pumps are not the real problem, I can strip them down, and give them a good clean. What worries me is the valve gear. One of the arms on the weigh shaft is lose. The real question is how do I set this up again? I guess that the sensible way forward is to set it at 90 degrees to the other side and run the chassis on air. I could then tweak the setting until I get the best performance. Does this sound like the best way to go?

[Robert HortonParticipant @roberthorton22959]

I ahve just received a used Maxitrak Alice and will probably need some help in the future as there seems to be no erection drawings available; nut/bolt sizes, construction details, etc. For example, it appears that the cross head pin is a press fit to the cross head. Has anyone modified this arrangement? I would thing a re-bush to the drive rod would be a chore! Anyhow, I am happy to find this forum and look forward to hearing from all of you experienced pros!

Bob Horton, Chicago, IL

[Author]

Posts