Near-Mint Powerful Gordon For a STEAL!

Hello CarnForthJinty and welcome to the community. We look forward to seeing and hearing all about your collection and love for these trains. Won't you take a moment to introduce yourself properly to the community here https://www.blueplastictracks.com/forumd...php?fid=21

Congratulations on getting that beautiful Powerful Gordon and for so cheap too. You certainly was in the right place and time for that. As far as your siderod question maybe this Thread will help https://www.blueplastictracks.com/showth...hp?tid=432

Now for the clutch question. When you say clutch are you referring to the gear on the axle? A picture might help. Many of us here have plenty of parts and experience in swapping out gears. There is also this article that might help some https://www.blueplastictracks.com/showth...hp?tid=866

Sorry for the late reply!

By 'Clutch' I mean the clutching system integrated into the main drive gear.


This is a spare wheelset from an old Henry. The right half is fixed to the axle - the left half engages with the gearbox.
When the wheel is stopped while the motor is running, in order to keep the gear from stripping/motor from burning out, there are notches on the left side that, when the left side turns, will push it aside to disengage it. Then the spring pushes it back in place. This is the signature "click click" sound heard on most Plarail engines.
PG's clutch mechanism was hardly used, so it was so stiff that it wouldn't turn easily, and mixed with PG's strong motor, it just completely sheared off the axle.
The clutch mechanism on the regular Gordon has been worn on and turns a bit too easily. This was fine for the regular Gordon, but PG has so much torque that it turns that gear with no problem, so it pretty much has zero power.

Thank you for all the valuable tips, especially with the coupling rods removal! Right now the plan is to use that method on PG's rods, put them in Edward's wheels (since his clutch is the strongest), then return regular Gordon's wheels entirely, then put the broken wheelset (which still holds, depending on motor stength - Edward is really weak) with Edward.

I'll be sure to introduce myself properly when I get the time. Thanks again for all the great advice!