Model Railway Forum

hello everyone, I'm new in to trains so I'm very much an amateur. I need your help, I have the hogwarts express train how ever it has stopped working. I have stripped it down and it seems to be the motor which looks like a throw away item. I use the train to go around the Christmas tree and the idea is to add track and carriages every year. I am after some advise I would like a good strong powerful engine that is serviceable. it is for oo gauge track. any advise is welcome

Hi
If you're sure its the motor try obtaining a replacement. Peters Spares is always good place to look for spares.

Hogwarts Express is Hornby R1234

The engine is a Hall class engine and has a standard(ish) motor.

https://newmodellersshop.co.uk/service_ ... e-hall.pdf

Has more information and a parts list.

It shows the part you need to look for is X6627 which is normally readily available. Unfortunately Peters spares don't have any in stock.

There are a few on Ebay - many are international so be careful what you select.

I have taken the motor out and put it on the track and it goes off and on and not much power. do you just u solder and re solder. I read up a d it said that train only lasts for about 180 hours. is there any trains that last longer or easy to service . I don't want yo have to change the motor every Christmas.

thanks for your help

I'm not sure where you read about the 180h lifetime of a train but it seems to be rather low.

There will be a need to service it but shouldn't be a need to replace a motor after 180h use. Don't run it continuously though for 180h at a time!

Others will be able to advise better than me about how to replace the motor etc. De-soldering and re-soldering is all I've ever had to do when installing DCC sockets for the motors (at which time the motor could have been replaced but didn't need to be). Re-siting the motor and ensuring that everything works is important.

thanks, the hours was a google thing maybe rubbish. it runs for about 4 hours a day. what's the dcc thing about as it says dcc compatable.

thanks

Unfortunately modern can style motors don't last anywhere as near as long as older open frame motors do/did! Nor can these can motors be repaired.

180 hours of running is a long time for many models! But it would normally last far longer.

DCC compatible usually means that the loco doesn't have a DCC decoder socket inside, but can be converted by hard wiring a DCC decoder into its motor/pick up wiring. If you're not a DCC (Digital) user or considering converting to DCC then its nothing to worry about

The usual terms are:
DCC Fitted - A digital decoder is factory fitted and the loco runs on both DC and DCC. Note, as factory supplied a DCC loco usually can operate on both DCC and DC, Exception is where the decoder has been set to operate only on DCC by someone i.e. a secondhand loco.
DCC Ready - A special socket is fitted inside and as supplied the loco is suitable for DC operation only. By removing the DC operation plug called a 'Blanking Plug' and inserting a DCC decoder plug the loco is fairly easy to convert to DCC operation. sort of Plug and play!
DCC not ready or DCC Compatible. - Usually means the loco is not readily convertible via plug and play. It needs additional wiring works to convert to DCC.