Model Train Talk South Africa

Model Train Talk Workshop => Technical Talk => Topic started by: BigEd on January 21, 2015, 12:29:53 PM

Title: Brass models
Post by: BigEd on January 21, 2015, 12:29:53 PM

So, I had a rush of blood to the brain a few years back. Bought a set of UP E9's ABB from Oriental Limited. They are stunning models but they ran crap or not at all.

R700+ later I got hold of a set of new replacement gears (brass rather than the original nylon which split) and had them fitted. I will pick up the set tonight and then decide the BIG question...

DO I DCC the darn things ???

What says you lot?

Title: Re: Brass models
Post by: capeklr on January 21, 2015, 02:00:58 PM

Hi Ed,
I would only DCC them when they run well with normal DC.
While a good decoder can improve the running characteristics of a loco it can never compensate for a badly designed or built drive system.
Let us know the result.
Cheers Jörg.

Title: Re: Brass models
Post by: BigEd on January 21, 2015, 02:09:51 PM

That is 1000% correct. And I even knew that, but these brass monsters are just notoriously bad runners mostly. And they can be a pain if altered.

I thought about re-motoring them using Kato chassis but it would have cost a bundle (in retrospect a few Runts less than the damn gears).

I think I should sell them... :P

Title: Re: Brass models
Post by: BigEd on January 21, 2015, 02:14:28 PM

I found pictures of them - they are beautiful models!!!

Title: Re: Brass models
Post by: renegade on January 21, 2015, 02:21:27 PM

paint them Green and black, they will immediately run better.....  :stir:


I have never done a brass loco conversion to DCC, but with all that metal everywhere, I think it might be a PAIN to isolate the motor. also, with brass gears and metal drive shaft, you WILL need to at least put a plastic universal (if not already there) on each end.  and THEN you can start trying to get a decoder soldered in...


Personally, I would leave them as they are, and display them... they are really nice models!

Title: Re: Brass models
Post by: capeklr on January 21, 2015, 02:23:35 PM

Quote from: BigEd on January 21, 2015, 02:09:51 PM

I think I should sell them... :P

Okay lets start a auction. First bid R. 100,00 for the lot.  :stir: :peep:

Title: Re: Brass models
Post by: renegade on January 21, 2015, 02:25:38 PM

Good Lawd!!! for R100 they should at LEAST be HO!!!!    :innocent:

Title: Re: Brass models
Post by: Freightcars on January 21, 2015, 06:42:51 PM

Hey Ed,

Them is some pretty models.

Brass models by nature are generally tricky to convert.  The motor and in some cases lights need to be isolated.  Also sometimes they don't run so well.

If after doing the upgrades it runs OK on normal DC I'd give be tempted to try converting it to DCC.  If its still sluggish and runs poorly I'd park it in a display cabinet where it can look pretty.

Its not impossible, it might just be tricky.

Cheers,

Niel

Title: Re: Brass models
Post by: capeklr on January 24, 2015, 08:11:44 PM

So what is the result of the new gears?
Do they run better now?

Title: Re: Brass models
Post by: BigEd on January 24, 2015, 09:28:41 PM

Not had the drive to test it yet. One can't be fixed but the others were but I have not had the heart to even try... :bluduh:

Title: Re: Brass models
Post by: Freightcars on January 25, 2015, 07:38:17 AM

Give them a test.  You may or may not be happy with the results of the repair >:D

Until you test them this is similar to Schrödinger's cat... Or is that Schrödinger's loco?

In the event that the locos do work to your staisfaction , could the one that can not be repaired be converted to a dummy?

Cheers,  Niel

Title: Re: Brass models
Post by: BigEd on January 25, 2015, 10:20:58 AM

Probably tonight when my mate pops in for some trains and Pink Floyd :thumb:

I was thinking of gutting the FUBAR one to use as a dummy. Just need to check it the other two can at least pull the skin off a rice pudding...