repairing Hornby prairie valve gear

[RonnieS]

Has any one any tips on repairing Hornby prairie valve gear? The Hornby X8886  Class 61XX Prairie Cylinder Block and Slide Bars Stock seems to no longer exist anywhere and it appears another solution must be found.

[RedgateModels]

I might have a spare Dapol one, I'll check tonight

[DCB]

Not easy.  I had the same problem so I stole the cylinders from a RTR Airfix 61X for my Hornby 61XX and then tried to tart up the Hornby cylinders for the old Airfix monstrosity. 

First I cut away the slide bars and drilled the cylinder cover slightly under size  to take some N gauge rail.

I cut a piece of N gauge rail to length warmed it and forced it into the cylinder. Then I made a spacer the same width as the cross head to keep alignment and did the same with the other bar.   When I was happy the cross head moved freely but not too freely I fitted the cylinders and marked the slide bars for length and also in line with the motion bracket/ boiler cradle,   I gripped the bars with nippers and trimmed the bars to length and filed the bar ends to the profile I wanted

I filed a notch in the top of the top slide bar and bottom of the bottom bar and filed up a pair of motion brackets which fitted nicely into the notches, in fact I did about six to get two goodish ones.  Then I soldered them into place and filed off the excess solder.  For a Hall/ Grange/Manor they go behind the bars/

No one else seems to model the cover behind the bars which hides the lack of mainframes in front of the driving wheels so I don't bother either

 

That's as far as I got as so far.   Its not a great job, I won't win any awards for craftsmanship. but it works!

 

[RedgateModels]

Sorry, just checked, my scrapper Dapol/airfix one has broken slides

[RosiesBoss]

G'day, all,

 

I had to do the same repair earlier this year and also found that there are no longer any genuine spares available.

 

Here is the patient:

 

Here is a summary of the job:

1.       Hornby Grange parts used, as 61xx parts no longer made or in stock

2.       Cylinders: X9349

3.       Valve gear: X9348

4.       Cylinder stretcher packed up and reinforced with card and wood

5.       Original connecting rods re-used

6.       Grange crossheads removed from coupling rods and drilled 1.4mm

7.       Grange crossheads attached to 61XX connecting rods with M1.3 bolts, nuts & washers

 

And here are the results:

 

 

 

 

Not a perfect job, but it now works!

 

Regards,

 

Rob

[kkinsella]

Hi just to let you know I'm currently experimenting with a 3D designed and printed replacement version of the Cylinder blocks and slides for this loco if anyone is interested PM and once perfected they will be available on Ebay. cheers Kevin

[jackrussel]

Hello just found your posting for the 3D printed 61xx cylinders, did you make them if so can you give me some details i have one 61xx waiting for them here is hoping Ian.

[DCB]

There does not look to be enough clearance in the motion bracket or brace on the 3D version for the standard Airfix or Hornby crosshead to move past the bracket.   If it is opened out more the structure will become very weak just like the RTR version.    I had to file a lot of brass away on my metal version to get enough clearance. See post about 3rd from top. 

[jackrussel]

I am getting some n gauge code 55 rail sent to me and am going to attempt a repair similar to yours shown here, i just think Hornby will not bother to keep producing spares for older models now that most have been superseded by so called super detail versions, thanks for reply, Ian.