Brush Springs for Hornby Black 5 Loco Drive Motor (X4026)

[Simon G]

I have acquired a loco drive Hornby Black 5 (R2257) that doesnt run. On investigation, the problem is that the X4026 motor fitted to it (and many other loco drive Hornby engines) is missing one brush spring. Now I know that I can buy a complete replacement motor for about £12, but as the rest of it works fine, I am looking for a source of springs for it.

 

I have already googled searched and found nothing. A possible alternative is to find a supplier of fine spring wire, and I will try to wind my own spring for it.

 

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

[Simon G]

On further investigation, the brush associated with the spring was beyond use as well. Now it seems that the brushes are as hard to get as the springs! However a friend of mine gave me an idea when he said he was going to be working at the Cumberland Pencil Museum soon, so would have a supply of graphite. I took an HB pencil and carefully cut back the wooden bit to give a section of pencil lead just under the required diameter of 2mm, and about 6-7mm long. I then took a strand of normal wire and wound it into a spring. Reassembled motor with new impromptu brush and spring, put back into the Black 5 and off she went! She had a good run tonight at my local Club and ran extremely well. I suspect that the lack of springyness (is that a word?) will eventually cause a problem, so I am still looking for proper spring wire.

 

This prompts a new question. I am sure that others before me have used pencil lead as loco brushes before. If so, any thoughts on what will be the best type of pencil to use? I guess that a softer one will wear and leave deposits on the armature, while a harder one might cause wear to the armature, so the HB might be a good compromise?

[jc1992]

Brushes and springs have popped up on our favourite auction site recently

Has anyone tried them?