I have just taken delivery of an Althearn SW1500 which arrived with one of its bogie sideframes broken off the  spruwhich connects it to the actual bogie
.I am wondering what "glue " to use to repair the damage without damaging the sideframe

It is possible that the side frames are moulded in Acetal or otherwise known as Delrin for impact resistance. If it is a new purchase, then my advice would be to take it back and ask for an exchange, repair or refund.

If it is not new and under warranty, then you are best to make some tests on the plastic first. Buy any of the plastic glues from a model shop, and place a small drop on the back of the side frame where it will not be seen. Wait about 5 minutes, then poke at it and smear it off.

If it has not 'eaten' into the plastic of the side frame, then most likely the frame is made of Delrin, in which case it is very difficult to glue, and there are almost no readily available glues that will bond it.

If it does 'eat' into the plastic, then use the plastic glue you bought to glue it back together.

Try a small dab of super glue especially (if you can get it...) the gap filling one. Failing that, gluing onto a styrene block before gluing on the side sideframe will also work. The spigots are the weak poin in the moulding of these frames but I have also used such glue with a fair degree of success when accidents have occurred.

Good Luck

Trevor

It is possible that the side frames are moulded in Acetal or otherwise known as Delrin for impact resistance. If it is a new purchase, then my advice would be to take it back and ask for an exchange, repair or refund.

If it is not new and under warranty, then you are best to make some tests on the plastic first. Buy any of the plastic glues from a model shop, and place a small drop on the back of the side frame where it will not be seen. Wait about 5 minutes, then poke at it and smear it off.

If it has not 'eaten' into the plastic of the side frame, then most likely the frame is made of Delrin, in which case it is very difficult to glue, and there are almost no readily available glues that will bond it.

If it does 'eat' into the plastic, then use the plastic glue you bought to glue it back together.

Acetal plastics are very hard to bond. CA often just fractures off, but I have had good results with this http://www.selleys.com.au/adhesives/household-adhesive/quick-fix-adhesive/plastics-glue/ on both acetal and nylons (which are also a bugger to glue).

I would also advise to use a stiff piece of wire embedded into both and then glued up, I had similar a while back and simply glued it up and it broke easily, I then placed a piece of wire in the centre in suitably drilled holes and then glued it up again it has now been several years and it is still holding strong as ever.

Thanks very much - your advice much appreciated

I received a similar Athearn loco with similar damage, brand new out of the sealed box. Emailed Athearn with some pics and they sent out the new replacement parts free of charge.