Vintage Hornby 3 rail. Advice, perspective, commentary, please.

[Chops]

Spoons. Hmmm.

[yelrow]

Yup definitely 3 rail. You can see the spoons. It will not take kindly to Marklin track. You would probably have to change pickup to Marklin thingy, and I am dead against modifying 3 rail Dublo locos. You tend to repent at leisure. Their 3 rail pickups, work superbly on their own track. If you want to run it, make up 3 rail flexi,as I explained on my earlier post.

[Chops]

Thank you for the correction. I have since ordered the vintage Hornby track. What is meant by "flexi?" Does this mean to be a flexible three rail track?
I'd rather not make changes to an antique. I am guess this model would be at the end of the Hornby AC run, what i see is that went out by, what 1958 or there abouts? As the tender is plastic, and all else appears to be metal.

[yelrow]

Chops , in my earlier post I said you could make an oval to run it on Peco 00 flexi track, by adding a single rail, glued down the middle. Much happier now you have proper track. Don’t forget the controller. What do do intend to drive it with.

[hunslet]

am guess this model would be at the end of the Hornby AC run

All Hornby Dublo are DC 0-12 volts NOT AC.

As the tender is plastic, and all else appears to be metal

I have the 2-rail version Golden Fleece which was produced pre-1960 and the tender sides and rear are metal with a plastic top.
I know this date because the tender has the British Rail crest facing forwards on both sides.
Apparently BR only paid the College of Heralds who issue heraldic crests for a left facing crest and had to change them and Hornby followed suit after 1960 !
Colin.

[yelrow]

Yup, 12 volt DC, also mine has a metal tender,May be a mis match, post a photo.

[Chops]

Wait a moment, this locomotive has a center rail spoon shaped pick up, and you're telling me this is DC? Not AC? I had been planning to use an old, functional, Lionel AC transformer to power it, but this is DC???

Will post a photo of the tender in a bit. I thought it a bit odd that it was all plastic and everything else metal.

[yelrow]

Chops Do Not Put AC anywhere near it. It’s DC, and you Can’t use that transformer. That’s why I went to great lengths to explain the need for a controller with plenty of grunt.Hammant and Morgan, Duette, or a Clipper, are the only ones I know that will supply this. Morley, do one, but they are very expensive, and whilst I have one, far prefer the 2 I mentioned. Hornby Dublo, 3 rail, is very niche, and performs wonderfully, given the correct power source. Hopethis helps. Very pleased you checked before powering this up. Good spot.

[yelrow]

As an aside,it’s the German stuff, Marklin and Trix, that are AC.

[hunslet]

As has been said Hornby Dublo is DC and has been from the start. Look inside the cab and you will see a permanent magnet on the motor. If it was AC there would be a coil !
Spoons are not a good indication of AC or DC especially with European or British models. The Trix Twin system used Spoon type centre collectors and started with AC but changed to DC in the 50s.

If you want to check if the tender body is metal or plastic just find a rubber type fridge magnet ( to prevent paint scratches) and stick it onto the tender as below.



Colin.