Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 11:10 pm Post subject: URGENT help required!
I've been give the following recently, but know nothing about it. Any help/advice would be gratefully received!
The loco, tender, wagons and coaches all come in their original, albeit tatty, boxes. The track and an old station are loose with the other boxes in a giant, sturdy cardboard box, postmaked 1959. The ldy who gave it to me told me it was her husbands and that it dates from the 1950s. It seems to have been stored in the loft for some time.
I've tried to run the loco on a simple oval. It goes, in fits and starts, in reverse. I haven't forced it, although the drive wheels and motor turn, stiffly, by hand.
The track is of the 3rd rail variety. The middle rail aapear to carry the current which runs thru pick ups under the loco.
Is it worth salvaging at all? Are these items collectable? Can I service the loco and if so, where would I find service sheets? Is it worth having the loco serviced professionally (i.e. is it cost effective? Are the items of sufficient value to warrant the expense of having someone service them?)
It's a very pretty set and I'm chuffed to bits with it! Would be better if I could make it run though!
Duchess of Montrose loco and tender
Close up of loco
Coaches
The wagons on the sorts of boxes that all items come in
Some of the track
Gaguemaster 'E' controller
Thanks in advnce! _________________ The Thing (aka Hugh)
Sounds like it needs a bit of tlc , I have a exploded diagram of it on a disk but no servicing instructions _________________ Experience is something you don' t get until just after you need it .
Is it worth salvaging at all? Are these items collectable? Can I service the loco and if so, where would I find service sheets? Is it worth having the loco serviced professionally (i.e. is it cost effective? Are the items of sufficient value to warrant the expense of having someone service them?)
It's a very pretty set and I'm chuffed to bits with it! Would be better if I could make it run though!
Collectable ? you bet it is. How much it's worth, depends on the condition of the loco, rolling stock, track and buildings.
You should be pretty chuffed with what you've been given. It's not everyday that a old lady comes along and gives you a Hornby Dublo 3 rail train set from the 1950's. Most usually sell hem to the Pawn Shop, or throw them out, and then tell you about it.
Quote:
The track is of the 3rd rail variety. The middle rail aapear to carry the current which runs thru pick ups under the loco.
Correct, the middle rail is the pick up rail, and the two rails on the track base are the return feed. But it doesn't matter which way the two wires from the controller connect to the power clip. If the loco runs in reverse, swop the two wires round.
Quote:
I've tried to run the loco on a simple oval. It goes, in fits and starts, in reverse. I haven't forced it, although the drive wheels and motor turn, stiffly, by hand.
Two, maybe three problem's here.
1 With the track being in storage, it has probably tarnished with age.
Using a track rubber or very fine wet & dry sand paper, clean the top of all the rails, then wipe the rails with a cloth soaked in Meth's or similar fluid. This will ensure that the rails are clean and free of any greasy or oily residue. Also claen the bottom of the third rail pickups on the locomotive. Try running the loco again. If it refuses to run or stutter's around the track, then it will be a matter of stripping the loco and cleaning/oiling it.
2 Check the drive wheels and also the front bogie & pony truck wheels for free movement.
If stiff or very hard to turn, there could be white rust formed on the axles where they pass through the chassis. Use a tiny drop of light sewing machine or model oil and apply to the axles, rotate the wheels until they turn freely, then wipe the oil away with a cloth. Try the loco on the track again. If it still don't run any better, then try step three.
3 If the drive wheels can be turned by finger pressure without power being applied to the motor, then the worm wheel on the rear axle needs tightened. The worm wheel is held in place by two tiny grub screws, these will need to be tightened, don't over tighten them, as the slot can and probably shear off rendering the loco useless.
The ringfield armature is a vertical type and sits at the rear of the chassis.
At the front and rear of the chassis block, there are two screws that hold the brushes against the commutator. Carefully remove both screws and springs, and check/clean the brushes. Then clean the commutator with meths and a lint free cloth,use the back of a stanley knife blade to clean the slots in the commutator.
The armature shaft is held in place in the chassis by a top & bottom bearing housing. The top & bottom bearing housing contains a very small ball bearing, "DON'T LOOSE THEM!". Apply a tiny drop of light sewing machine or model oil to them and rotate by finger until they turn freely. Also apply a tiny drop of oil light sewing machine or model oil to the worm drive. When happy with the work you've done reassemble and test the loco again. If it still doesn't run smoothly, then te magnet most likely has gone weak with age. Either get the magnet remagentized or replace the magnet with one of the stronger Neo types that yo see advertized on Ebay.
If you need the exploded diagram for your loco, Service Sheet No.5, PM me your email address and I'll email you a copy of it ASAP.
Best of luck with getting your Hornby Dublo train set running
K9-70
_________________ Close the door, put out the light, you know we won't be home tonight !!
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With the track being in storage, it has probably tarnished with age.