Calming (or exciting?) the Hornby 0-4-0T

[etmsreec]

I've read elsewhere on here that the Hornby 0-4-0T chassis is not exactly suited to slow speed running and that they could probably do with a little modification if that's what's being aimed for.

 

In my case, I have two nominally identical ones (within the obvious bounds of manufacturing) that are exhibiting very jerky movement when running at anything less than startled cat speeds!

 

I've a feeling that they were a collectors club model, R2439.

 

They've had very little running in their lives, so any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

Also in the 0-4-0 category, I have a model "Desmond" from the 1980s.  It again shows startled cat performance, although I suspect in Desmond's case it's that the plating on the wheels seems to be dulled where it actually contacts the rails.  Almost like it's got a film on them.

 

The models are being run on simple, transistor-based controllers, as per the very simple controllers in Roger Amos' book, and are fine with bigger models like tender-drive Schools or West Country pacifies - both Chinese and Margate built.

[BlackRat]

With such a short wheel base cleanliness of wheels and track is essential to good running.

 

A little extra weight can help, but with the can motors they have and the gearing, slow they aren't going to be.

 

DCC control might make a difference?

[HLT 0109]

Steve,

 

Your reference to dulled plating on the wheels is something I recognise - I found it on an 0-4-0 I bought recently second hand, simply to see how well I could get it to run. I managed to remove the dulling by using a brass-wire brush in a mini-drill and ensuring that the rails were perfectly clean.  It made a huge difference.  In my case, the loco was DCC fitted and running on my DCC layout but, at first, the running was diabolical.  You also need to ensure good contact between the wheels and the pickups and (assuming they contact the backs of the wheels) that the backs are also very clean.

 

Harold.

[Il Grifone]

The ones I have run quite well - the usual removal of crud and lubrication is essential. Performance is of the scalded cat type, but a decent controller will tame that - an H & M Powermaster in my case, though I'm sure an electronic feedback device or DCC will work as well.

 

Modifications to improve performance would involve changes to wheels (as supplied I believe they are too large for their prototypes) and gear ratio.

[Charlie]

Interesting you should say this, I've also got a Desmond and experienced the same issues. I chose to replace the chassis with a brand new China built one solving oh so many problems. It now runs well at a realistic speed but still has the ability to do super-speed for when the niece and nephew come visit!

[Il Grifone]

Interesting you should say this, I've also got a Desmond and experienced the same issues. I chose to replace the chassis with a brand new China built one solving oh so many problems. It now runs well at a realistic speed but still has the ability to do super-speed for when the niece and nephew come visit!

 

The motors are not exactly the best product ever offered and are probably very variable, though the two I have seem OK. (Replacements are available quite cheaply on eBay.)

[Skaran]

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere (how vague is that), that the motors fitted to the 0-4-0s are the same types as fitted to the Scalestrick racing cars which would explain the "scalded cat" performance. Perhaps replacing the motor and gearbox may improve performance if there is room in these locos.

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

It likely would, but that's entering 'making a purse out of a sow's ear territory'. Better to dump the mechanicals entirely and start with etched frames to eliminate the wibbly-wobbly plastic chassis.

 

In all the model range expansion in RTR OO, there hasn't been a small rod coupled 0-4-0T newly tooled in China in the last fifteen years. Something with the mechanical qualities of the Bach 03 would be useful to many I am sure.

[Horsetan]

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere (how vague is that), that the motors fitted to the 0-4-0s are the same types as fitted to the Scalextric racing cars which would explain the "scalded cat" performance. Perhaps replacing the motor and gearbox may improve performance if there is room in these locos.

The gear ratio in particular is more suited to an express engine than a shunter. Needs further reduction, but you'd most likely have to re-engineer the chassis for that.

 

I wonder if you could "slow down" the motor by imposing a resistor?

[Flyingscotsmanfan]

There is an excellent article in this months BRM about getting a more realistic shunting speed using a different gear ratio that I'm very tempted to try myself

[Twright]

I run mine on DCC and can get (with fairly clean track) adequate slow speed performance.

[johnd]

I have a Hornby 06 which has been converted to DCC and fitted with a standard Bachmann decoder. Top speed now on DCC is a lot less than the starting speed on DC.

 

All that was done was simple by trial and error reduce the relevant CV value that controls Max speed. Speed steps was set at 128.

 

Slow speed running is now no problem and quite smooth as well.

[Sam Moss]

I managed to get reasonable results by fitting a DS10 an mating it with a triang worm and wheel. (worm bushed to match the new shaft dia)