Paul H Vigor Posted May 14, 2020 Share Posted May 14, 2020 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! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D51 Posted May 14, 2020 Share Posted May 14, 2020 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 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
5050 Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 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? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium kevinlms Posted May 16, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 16, 2020 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. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Il Grifone Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 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. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Vigor Posted May 18, 2020 Author Share Posted May 18, 2020 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 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
russell price Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D51 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 Russell, You don't say what are the serial numbers on your Romford motors. I have a Series IV which is 1296. Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
russell price Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 (edited) 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 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
russell price Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 Is this a Phantom?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
russell price Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 I have 1216 here too which is the closest I have to yours. I would put it into about 1957/8. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossdp Posted April 28, 2021 Share Posted April 28, 2021 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
russell price Posted April 29, 2021 Share Posted April 29, 2021 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium kevinlms Posted April 30, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 30, 2021 (edited) 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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