Romford Series IV motor history?

[Paul H Vigor]

I have recently acquired two early 00 Fowler 3Fs very similar in build to Bertiedog's hand-built/delux Stewart-Reidpath Jinty. One of mine is fitted with a Romford Model Company motor that I believe to be a Series IV. Can anyone tell me what the manufacturing period/dates was/were for the Series IV? I have seen a period ad for the Series IV on Google images dated 1953. I am trying to date the model. Many thanks. Paul. PS: Photos will follow!

[D51]

The Romford Series IV motor was not mentioned in the 1948 First Edition of the ERG catalogue, in fact the only Romford products available then were 3-rail wheels and axles.  By the Second Edition in 1950 the Series IV was available at 58/8d., as well as the Series II at 42/9d.  By 1955 ERG were listing the Series IV at 56/- as well as the Series II at 40/10d. and the new Series V at 47/-.  Also in 1955 Eames of Reading were listing the Series IV at 56/-, Series II at 40/10d. and the Series V at 49/-, together with another new motor, the Phantom at 37/4d.  By 1959 the prices had gone up slightly, Series IV was 59/6d.,  Series V was 52/6d. and Phantom was 39/8d.  At this time the Series II was discontinued.  The same prices were quoted in 1962 when the Terrier motor appeared at 22/2d.  These motors continued for another ten years or so before they were all discontinued in the mid 1970s when the Bulldog appeared at £4.96.

 

The Series IV was the top motor of Romford's range with its 7-pole armature, adjustable ball bearings and oil bath for the gears.

 

So the Series IV was available from 1950 until about the early 1970s, quite a long life.  I am not aware of any changes to the design in this time.

 

Frank 

[5050]

Here is a Model Railway News advert from Jan 1951 for the Mk IV

 

 

It shows the 2 alternative options for the 3 or 7 pole armature versions.  The 'posh' version has the 7 poles, ball bearings thrust races and the gearcase - and a hefty increase in price.  I've got a gearbox version fitted to a period loco I bought some time ago - but the bottom of the box has been cut off!   As the advert shows individual prices for the 3 and 7 pole armatures were they interchangeable?

[kevinlms]

15 hours ago, 5050 said:

Here is a Model Railway News advert from Jan 1951 for the Mk IV

 

 

It shows the 2 alternative options for the 3 or 7 pole armature versions.  The 'posh' version has the 7 poles, ball bearings thrust races and the gearcase - and a hefty increase in price.  I've got a gearbox version fitted to a period loco I bought some time ago - but the bottom of the box has been cut off!   As the advert shows individual prices for the 3 and 7 pole armatures were they interchangeable?

Seems to be a reasonable difference in price for a presumably better motor and the inclusion of proper bearings and a gearbox.

Also the old days, when you could buy a full range of spares.

Now when some parts fail, it's a throw away item.

[Il Grifone]

At £3/1/1d (I assume since Purchase Tax is quoted separately it's to be added on - and makes something like £75 today), I would expect the thing to be repairable.

[Paul H Vigor]

On 14/05/2020 at 15:51, D51 said:

The Romford Series IV motor was not mentioned in the 1948 First Edition of the ERG catalogue, in fact the only Romford products available then were 3-rail wheels and axles.  By the Second Edition in 1950 the Series IV was available at 58/8d., as well as the Series II at 42/9d.  By 1955 ERG were listing the Series IV at 56/- as well as the Series II at 40/10d. and the new Series V at 47/-.  Also in 1955 Eames of Reading were listing the Series IV at 56/-, Series II at 40/10d. and the Series V at 49/-, together with another new motor, the Phantom at 37/4d.  By 1959 the prices had gone up slightly, Series IV was 59/6d.,  Series V was 52/6d. and Phantom was 39/8d.  At this time the Series II was discontinued.  The same prices were quoted in 1962 when the Terrier motor appeared at 22/2d.  These motors continued for another ten years or so before they were all discontinued in the mid 1970s when the Bulldog appeared at £4.96.

 

The Series IV was the top motor of Romford's range with its 7-pole armature, adjustable ball bearings and oil bath for the gears.

 

So the Series IV was available from 1950 until about the early 1970s, quite a long life.  I am not aware of any changes to the design in this time.

 

Frank 

Many thanks for this info, Frank.

All the best,

Paul

[russell price]

Do your motors have serial numbers stamped on them, I have several here with  serial numbers on them I can roughly date some of them . I have a Jamieson 4f  with an early triang princess motor in it. That dates to about1951/2. 

[D51]

Russell,

You don't say what are the serial numbers on your Romford motors.  I have a Series IV which is 1296.

 

Frank

[russell price]

No that is because I need to check them. No 504 is in a Farish Prarie so again early 50s , 2482 Is in a 1961 Wills Q. The Wills Q didn’t become available until April 1961 and the chap who built it passed away in 1961 so gives us a fairly accurate date.  There are a few more here, I’ve just bought off eBay a pile of 1950s Romford motors, one has gone into a Rowell Duchess and is less than 10 numbers from the one it has replaced.

Edited April 14, 2021 by russell price
Correction to set no

[russell price]

Is this a Phantom?? 

[russell price]

I have 1216 here too which is the closest I have to yours. I would put it into about 1957/8.

[mossdp]

Yes, the motor with quite a bit of plastic around it is the Phantom.  Some tend to run a little warm even with a really good magnet.

[russell price]

22 hours ago, mossdp said:

Yes, the motor with quite a bit of plastic around it is the Phantom.  Some tend to run a little warm even with a really good magnet.

Thank you, thought it was.

[kevinlms]

On 15/04/2021 at 06:07, russell price said:

I have 1216 here too which is the closest I have to yours. I would put it into about 1957/8.

You're making the assumption, that the person on the production line, didn't knock them over at some stage and randomly made them into a pile!

 

Edited April 30, 2021 by kevinlms
Wrong word.