Model Railway Forum

Not going to service Lima motors any more just going to change them for the CD type cheap enough on the bay and takes about the same amount of time, plus side you get a far better running loco,as i only have a end to end layout good running is the thing i am after as well as bring a loco on the side lines back into use

I've done half a dozen motor swaps and found that they do give slightly better running over a standard motor but at a cost. If it's a dmu with no load on they seem quite happy but as most CD motors arnt designed for heavy loads I've found they struggle in locos. They end up pulling more amps than designed for. Not a problem I suppose on a small end to end layout or 1 without gradients or sharp curves.
Also make sure the voltage is compatible.
Usually as long as brushes are in good Nick a lima motor will run well and if you consider the age of most lima locos now it's a cheap upgrade to change them when servicing.
Also if a dcc chip will support a stay alive capacitor then that's usually money well spent as it helps the lack of pick ups on most lima chassis. The same goes for earlier hornby locos, but I found that their ringfield motors arnt always quite as good.