QUOTE (paul_d @ 1 Dec 2005, 15:31)I have recentley bought a Hornby 56 in Railfreight grey red stripe livery. I think it is a fantastic model. Excellent detail and crisp livery. Well impressed with the moulded roof detail. Nice and weighty too.
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Since writing that piece, I finally got round to running it on the track. Safe to say, that's where my praise for this particular 56 ends!
There are a number of issues with the motor and drivetrain, probably not faults, just annoyances. They are all probably linked as well.
First, the motor/drivetrain sound horrible (like one of them wind up toys).
Second, it has no slow speed capability at all. At low voltage the motor just buzzes and 'sticks'. When it finally does overcome friction and 'sticktion' (is that what it's called?), it sets off like a bolted horse. You can then slow it down, but it 'stalls' well before acceptable slow speed running.
Third, not really a problem but it seems to be very highly geared for a freight loco. It is incredibly fast - is there any need?
I have run it for 1/2 an hour with no difference. I have put some oil on the gears as per instructions - no difference. When turning the output gear off the motor shaft, you can feel what a 'lumpy' motor it is. The other gears seem quite free.
So being a novice in this hobby could someone answer me the following questions:
1) Should I expect to see improvement after 1/2 hrs running in? Whats the recommended running in time?
2) Do you think it might be the old Dapol 3 pole motor? (the rest is Dapol)
3) Technically it isn't faulty because it runs, so I would assume Hornby wouldn't be prepared to have a look at it?
4) Is there anything I can do to improve it (short of replacing motor), or should I just accept that this loco is a bit of a 'duffer' and just lump it?
It's a shame about it's running quality as it's a nice looking loco. But when compared to my Hornby 47, it really is a dog. The 47 is so smooth and crawls along sleeper by sleeper (straight from the box with no running in)
Any comments appreciated
Paul