br-nse-fan Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Hi All I have a Dapol Castle, Hornby Castle and Hornby 2-6-0 County... These are the older models, but still run relatively well. I went to install a DCC decoder into the Hornby Castle & County, only to find that there is little to no space to put a decoder... not without major modification to the metal block inside. Does anyone know if the chassis that comes with the new Railroad County, can be used as a replacement for the older County one? Are the older Castle chassis the same, or close enough to the County that it could be used there also? That brings me to the Dapol Castle... it's on it's last legs, and soon to be retired... however, if the chassis are a straight enough replacement, as the Hornby models are based on the old Dapol models, could it be used for it too? How about the new 4-4-0 Railroad County? Suitable replacement chassis for the older Hornby model? Thoughts? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 7013 Posted April 15, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 15, 2011 I presume the 'new' railroad County is DCC ready, I am also presuming that your old Castle & County have the chassis mounted ringfield/pancake type motor. Prior to the latest Castles Hornby did a cosmetic job on the Castle Chassis from 'Bristol Castle' onwards (5 pole motor) until the new Castle arrived, I am not sure if the County received the same treatment. I was under the impression that the chassis block for the old Castle and County were the same. Have you looked at the various 'How to Install?' sites that may give you a clue on how to go about it, however as with many older locos sometimes it is a matter of removing weights or part of the block to accommodate a decoder.I guess you have to go for the smallest decoder you can get without compromising power. Just an aside but modeltorque are apparently making a replacement motor for the Hornby ringfield/pancake types. I have used the Lima version which improves running qualities and power hugely. I am waiting to hear from Inter-City models when they will be available and will convert my tender and chassis mounted ringfield/pancakes as well as chipping them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coppercap Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 How about the new 4-4-0 Railroad County? Suitable replacement chassis for the older Hornby model? Until it's actually available, nobody knows, except Hornby. I would have thought it would be suitable, but why buy a new model and put the old body on it? I expect the new Railroad 4-4-0 County's livery will be rather better finished than the 1980s one anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rovex Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 When I've put DCC in my old Hornby Castle I seem to recall I lost the weight from the smoke box. Alternatively when space has been tight I've resorted to running wires through to the tender and putting the decoder in it, drawback of course is that the tender is now permantly attached to the loco and on very close inspection you can see the wires but at normal viewing distance and with a little black paint they become invisible. Rovex Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted April 19, 2011 Author Share Posted April 19, 2011 Thanks all for the replies. I've thought about running wires from the loco to the tender, and will probably end up going that route for the current Castle & County. The new Railroad County is DCC ready, and I would assume, a newer mechanism than the old pancake that is (I believe) a hold over from the model's days at Dapol. If I am not mistaken... the County & Castle's are just re-heated Dapols (not counting the NEW Castle)? As for the 80's 4-4-0 county, the one I have is a different name than the one currently being offered by Hornby... so like my old Lima 73's, I'd rather upgrade the chassis if it's a simple enough job, than go through a re-name/number (or re-paint as would be needed for the 73's). Thanks again gents! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted April 20, 2011 Author Share Posted April 20, 2011 Just installed a Digitrax DN135 into each of the County & Castle last night. I used a previous suggestion, and ran the wires from the motor to the decoder in the tender. At normal viewing angles, you can not see the wires due to the foot plates. Now to program and test them... hope these motors perform well enough under DCC control! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted April 20, 2011 Author Share Posted April 20, 2011 I just sent an email to Hornby asking if the chassis being used on the 'new' County could be used as a replacement for the older models, as well as in the old Dapol Castle. I have an old Dapol that has died, but would like to revive it if possible. I've also asked them if the forthcoming 4-4-0 County chassis could be used in upgrading the original 80's model. I'll post their reply when it comes in. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coppercap Posted April 20, 2011 Share Posted April 20, 2011 I've also asked them if the forthcoming 4-4-0 County chassis could be used in upgrading the original 80's model. I'll post their reply when it comes in. I doubt Hornby will give a satisfactory answer to that, before it's on sale. I would think you'll have to wait until it's available to find out, and those that actually buy it report on it. (Perhaps you could do that for us! ) As it is, I hope the tender's changed from the heavy-chassied and over-coaled tender-driven one. Them just not fitting the motor to it won't be good enough! Also, I hope they improve all the wheels, as they were rather 'toy-train' by current standards. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.A.C Martin Posted April 20, 2011 Share Posted April 20, 2011 I doubt Hornby will give a satisfactory answer to that, before it's on sale. I would think you'll have to wait until it's available to find out, and those that actually buy it report on it. (Perhaps you could do that for us! ) As it is, I hope the tender's changed from the heavy-chassied and over-coaled tender-driven one. Them just not fitting the motor to it won't be good enough! Also, I hope they improve all the wheels, as they were rather 'toy-train' by current standards. You are going to be disappointed, I'm afraid. If Hornby wouldn't use their super detail tender for their A3s/A4s and the Black Fives/9Fs in the railroad range, then tooling up new tenders for the 4-4-0s is definitely unlikely. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coppercap Posted April 20, 2011 Share Posted April 20, 2011 You are going to be disappointed, I'm afraid. If Hornby wouldn't use their super detail tender for their A3s/A4s and the Black Fives/9Fs in the railroad range, then tooling up new tenders for the 4-4-0s is definitely unlikely. Well, that was what I was fearing. We can but hope though! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted April 21, 2011 Author Share Posted April 21, 2011 Yep.. sure enough... a very disappointing non-answer... Thank you for your e-mail. If you contact Mr Tom Harding who specialises in older models, and has a substantial supply of old spares, he will be able to help you. His e-mail address is: tjh@modelrailwaydoctor.co.uk Kind regards, Pfft! And this is what I sent them: Hello I am looking for some technical information. I have a Hornby Castle & County (4-6-0)... as well as one of the older Dapol Castle locomotives. The Hornby Castle is one of the older (ex-Dapol?) models. Are the new Railroad County chassis able to be fitted as replacements to the older Castle and County class locomotive bodies? I am thinking of an upgrade similar to what can be done for the Lima 73, by using the newer Hornby chassis instead. I would assume these have new mechanisms, along with being DCC ready? The new County 4-4-0 that you are releasing, is it's chassis also suitable as a direct replacement for the older County that was released back in the 80's? One last question.... the chassis being used in the Hornby version of the Castle / County... would these be suitable for upgrading an old Dapol Castle? Many thanks in advance, I look forward to hearing from you! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coppercap Posted April 21, 2011 Share Posted April 21, 2011 Well, they replied in a perfect "Fob him off without giving him a suitable answer 'cos we don't know anyway, and can't be bothered to pass to anyone who might know" kind of way! (Been there, done that.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted April 21, 2011 Author Share Posted April 21, 2011 Well, they replied in a perfect "Fob him off without giving him a suitable answer 'cos we don't know anyway, and can't be bothered to pass to anyone who might know" kind of way! (Been there, done that.) That's exactly what I thought... hardly helpful... I've forwarded my question to Tom Harding as per their suggestion... will be waiting to see what he says. I'll post his response once I have it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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