Help fixing up an old set

[blackbeardB]

Whilst in the UK last month I purchased a tray full of Hornby Trains & Tracks from an Auction in North London.

The set was well looked after – some of the engines were the same as the engines that I used to play with about 45 years ago, when I was a lad, including a couple of well looked after Tank Engines, A Bristol Castle Locomotive & Tender, EDL11 Loco, & some other engines as well as quite a bit of rail & a transformer & control set which I recognize from my youth – which was in the 60s!

 My lad has laid the track out & I have looked at the power set up & am completely ignorant on how connect it & operate it. My only memory of the set up was that I was not allowed to touch it because it used to give my brothers electric shocks – so I now very weary of playing around with the set up.

 There are no Hornby distributers at all here in Bali – the nearest is in Singapore –

 A brief look through Hornby’s web page & a look at some YouTube videos revealed that the technology has advanced somewhat & the question that I would like to ask is;

 If I purchase a new transformer & power control unit is it possible / easy to fit it to an old Hornby train set ?

 Would it be better to attempt to set up the 40 / 50 year old transformer & power set up ?

 Please excuse me if this is the incorrect way of using a forum – this is the very first time that I have used any online forum

[96RAF]

Welcome to the forums - you are in the right place.

 

In any case you would be advised to get a competant electrician to do the Bali equivalent of a PATS safety test on the transformer to make sure it is safe before you try plugging it in. From what you say about electric shocks you may even have a very old mains operated track which does need great care in use.

 

If you can post a picture of the trains and especially the power unit and controller there are people on her who can help you. Use the upload icon next to the smiley face in this reply box. Reply using the reply,button at the bottom of the page not by pressing the one in my post or it will include all the previous text and your reply will get muddled inside it.

 

Please be aware that your picture(s) need to be approved by the site administrator so it could be a day or two before you see them appear. This is normal.

 

Rob

[olly]

looking up EDL11 on google its a three rail Hornby Dublo  a4 class Silver King

 

like RAF96 says get the transformer & power control unit safety tested .

 

It maybe best to get a new one someone on here will be able to advise you the right one to buy.

[LCDR]

 'Bristol Castle' is also Hornby Dublo 3 rail (I have a couple) . These use 12 volts DC controlled, but because they are older motors they draw slightly more current than modern trains. Some of the better new  controllers such as Hornby HM2000 and the Gaugemaster's (others are available) will cope but the small ones that are sold with modern train sets will struggle.  The original controller (possibly  a Marshal??) will certainly need to be tested by an electrical engineer before use in case the insulation has deteriorated, and you did say your brother has had shocks from it.  You may be better advised to invest in a new one.

 

The supply from the controller's 12vDC controlled output goes to a terminal rail. On Hornby Dublo these are a pair of screwed teminals in one of the rail sections. I solder small ring connectors to both ends of a twin pair of wires (loudspeaker flex will do) so that the connections are tight.  Do NOT connect the trains direct to the mains, or to AC current.

 

These are very well engineered model trains and should give plenty of years service despite their age, but they do need maintenance from time to time. A miniscule drop of light oil (special model railway oil is best, but Hornby Dublo can be lubricated with 3 in 1 oil) on the axle bearings and the gear wheel If you can see the oil you have put too much on! and to the pin joints of the valve gear, is advised .  Oil by dipping a dressmakers pin into the oil and transferring it as a drop on the pin to where it needs to be. The motor and wheels should also be cleaned by removing dust and fluff with a fine but stiff artist's brush and tweezers before use.

 

There is an association for the users of these vintage trains, the Hornby Railway Collectors Association http://www.hrca.net/ , and as a member I can recommend them because they have specialist members who provide spares and services for modest fees to help keep the trains running.