barney121e

Hi I have 2 Hornby class 29 locos. Both the engines run well when battery placed on them but when put on the track they don't want to work. I have serviced both locos but no improvement. When placed on track if i push down on train it does move, if that provides any clues to anyone. Any help much appreciated.

Hi Does anyone know the rough dimensions cover if i used all kits? Tried searching everywhere without luck, and trying to work out from the kits themselves is a little hit or miss Cheers

Hi Bob Quick question, i am using insulfrog points, do i need the irj's as would have one controller off whilst transferring between lines.

Hi all After some quick advice. Very simple track plan below. Just want to double check that i have power, marked in red circle and insulated rail joiners marked in green are in correct places for DC controller. I know the plan is very simple but just what i need at the moment.

Hi So i have a trackplan i am happy with. So my thoughts now turn to scenery. So i guess track underlay and ballasting is first thing to do, but curious how others approach scenery planning. Cheers

Hi I have a loco or two that needs a rewire and what gauge wire I need? Cheers

Can anyone tell me if the book has any continuous run plans in at all?

I have some Lima diesel locomotives and dmu's. What could i do to improve the couplings on them? Cheers Dave

I need to order a few spares so will order a pair or two an see if they make a difference. thanks

@melmerby i know they warn not to run the cd upgrade at max speed for long periods, which is fine because i wont be. @GoldhawkOnly got a couple of Hornby trains, but similar issues and they are older trains so difficult to compare. @cypherman i just dont want to spend money if i can get away with it, but my thinking is to do a service and if i can get them running well, like the GWR Railcar then to not replace that but if i cant then a replacement seems to make sense. Have also learnt a new skill, soldering. So has been a win win for me.

Using a gaugemaster 4 track controller. Using the control knob to determine power. And is DC.

Hi I have a few Lima locos with ringfield motors. Having been giving them a good service to see if i can get them running better. Now one works great and i only need 30% power to get it moving and it runs smoothly. Another started running at 50% and after service still takes this amount to get going, whilst another was jerky and although runs smoothly now it needs 70% power to get moving. I also had a loco with a non working engine and put a cd conversion in it. It runs very smoothly with 30% power to get going. What power level do people think is reasonable to get a loco started? Just wondering if it would make sense to replace at least the one that needs 70%. Any views much appreciated.

Thanks Going to put it in a box and revisit things down the line. I will probably get some spare bushes etc and work from there, although someone mentioned converting it to run differently, so will explore that a same time. Thnaks for everyones help and opinions.

So have been working on my Black 5 problem. Decided to get another chassis however this has sorted one problem but now getting no power to the tender. I have checked the wheel spacing and i cant fit my back to back gauge between the wheels. So i guess this could be my problem. But before i try and adjust the wheels, can anyone suggest if this would be the problem at all. Also been playing with the old chassis and can get the coupling rods going, but one side keeps popping out the wheels. Could this be a wheel spacing problem again, or could worn bushes and axles be at fault. Any help much appreciated.

Just a little update. The wheels are all moving and loco running ok, not touched the motor yet. The only issue i now have is when i put the conrods on they dont turn. Time for further investigation.

It's a R061 if that helps. The tender has a pin which drops into a piece on the loco, with two pick ups below, which seems is where it picks up the power from. ~On the tender two of the wheels have traction tyres.

Thank. The parts seem fine just a little mucky. To be honest I can't see any pickups. The motor is in the tender, it's a silver seal model that hooks to the loco so think that is how it gets its power. Sorry for being vague, not done steam trains before, but look straightforward enough. I got this loco and another steam train from auction, they both run but definitely need a good clean, especially the other one as can see carpet fibres.

Stupid question time. So the front and back wheels are turning fine on the track. But the middle one seems just short of the rail. If i attach a coupling rod, then all 3 wheels turn. Is that right, or should the middle wheel be touching the rail

They turn easily in my hand, but on the track they don't. Will try and see whats happening.

So after some cleaning i have got the wheels to all turn, although when i put them on track, they dont want to turn. However will put the loco back together and hopefully that will sort the problem, if not will look further into it.

Got the pin out with a little persuassion. Bushes look ok, so will give it a good clean with contact cleaner and re fit and see if they turn.

Thanks everyone. Didnt want to start tapping it with a hammer if it shouldnt come out but as it should will give wd40 a shot first and see if that loosens it.

Hi all I got a couple of trains at an auction. The motor on the tender is good, just needs a service, but i noticed the large wheels on the locos didn't go round. Have taken them apart but can't get this pin out which is where the middle large wheels go. (where red arrow is pointing.) I cant font a service sheet for the loco, and wondering if anyone knows if the pin should come out? Cheers David

Thanks for all the replies. Will give things a try. The derail on all the points but if i push down on them they seem happy enough hence my thinking they might need weight. But will check wheels etc to ensure they are working ok.

What do you use to weight coaches?