Hi, I'm hoping to get some insight on restoration of several 800 series loco's. I have a sk 800 ca46', two rsm 800's, a rs 800, and a T 800 as well as many vintage wagons I would like to do some restoration work on. I am currently focusing on the sk 800 which I have all apart. I would say I got it in fair shape. There does not appear to be any stress cracks in the engine or frame and the tender is in decent shape as well. The only problem when I got was that the reverse unit/housing was cracked. I am going to replace it, but for now I took it all apart, cleaned it up and super glued the cracked reverse unit frame. I know what you are thinking, but it came out very nice and should hold up for a bit. So, I have basically stripped down the loco to bare parts, further then the picture shows, and cleaned up the frame when I thought how nice it would be to have a fresh coat of paint on the frame and wheels. I'm not sure if this will effect value, but my personal goal is to clean this loco up and have it in working order. So, i'm not sure how to pull the wheels off. I did a search last night which led me to a post on this forum which provided a link to a tool that clamps around the wheels and has a pin that can drive out the wheel pin. What are your thoughts? are there other ways to accomplish this without causing damage. This trick would be highly applicable with the rest of my fleet as well. Also, what are your thoughts on paint. I'd like to repaint the frame and wheel spokes. Is there a color reference where I can match original reds and blacks. Next, my rsm800 has some bad wheels. the rest of the engine is in great shape. Any resources for acquiring some replacements would be helpful. I'm sure I will have more questions. Thanks in advance.

Hi Kyle

Jacques gave you the links for the best suppliers I think. I use to buy from them to.

The real problem is if you know how to dismalt the wheels (relatively easy with the right extractor) and most difficult how to press the wheels again and of course quartering them!!!!

I don't recommend to try it for the first time in a valuable loco.

If you want to spent the money to buy the tools (I don't think that is justified for 1 or 2 locos, do it first in some cheep model to get experience and then to and xx800

Costas

There is also TTN Shop. Sometimes cheaper than Ritter. Mind, the paints have not the Märklin aspect.

GNAM