Hudson 4-6-4 Loco-drop in replacement Motor question

[Anonymous]

I'm new to the whole Train modeling hobby. I just purchased my first train set, a Lionel Riding the Hobo Train set. It comes with a 4-6-4 Hudson Steam loco. I'm looking to run it at slow speeds for quiet operation on the track, around 40-50 on the 80 watt Transformer. I can get low speeds but it stalls around the standard 40"x60" oval track with the enclosed set of cars.

I will expand but for now my main request is to find out if there is a drop-in replacement motor to power the Loco with high-torque at low speeds. Looking for slow smooth speeds without the motor hesitating due to lack of power.

[wrmcclellan]

pitogo,

I am not aware of any easy way to slow this engine down or to remotor it. It is made in the classic toy train style and most toy trains run fast.

The addition of the Lionel TMC PowerMaster or TMCC Track Power Controllers along with a CAB-1 and TMCC Command Base (see Lionel catalog) would provide a bit lower speed due to the chopped sine wave control of track power, but this is a bit expensive unless you will eventually move into some additional Lionel, K-Line, etc., TMCC compatible equipment.

Regards,
Roy

[wrmcclellan]

BTW - welcome to the hobby and the CTT forums! We have a lot of fun here and there are many in this forum and others that make every effort to help you with your questions and concerns.

[lionelsoni]

What kind of motor(s) does it have? Some can be slowed down effectively. Dual can motors can be rewired in series; and the double fields of motors used with 2-position e-units can also be rewired in series with a 3-position e-unit.

[wrmcclellan]

Bob,

He has the 2004 Vol 2 6-31953 "Riding the Rails" Hobo set with a modern traditional Hudson with a single can motor and electronic E-unit.

Regards,
Roy

[Anonymous]

I realize that it's simply a small loop of track, but I suggest that you add some additional power feeders to the loop. You can get an additional feeder track with wires from Lionel, or simply add feeder wires to any section (there are small spade connectors under every section). I simply added a second feeder opposite the loop to the first one and it works much better. I still need to keep the rails clean.

I suggest this because my fasttrack loop is really bad when it comes to conductivity. It gets even worse when the track gets dirty. As the train gets further away from the feeder it just slows down or stops if it's already running slow. The voltage just sags from the resistance of the track and connections. If you have the early fasttrak with the black center rail, consider using a use a scotchbrite pad or similar to remove the black - just from the top of the rail - current fasttrak uses a silver center rail.

I have one of those little "Hobo" Hudsons and it runs very, very well, (and quietly) on plain old 031. Have you lubed it lately? Modern engines need lube too - just a few tiny micro drops in the right places can make a big difference. I don't think new engines are lubed at the factory.

I would try all these things before I worried about a new motor. Start by cleaning the track and lubing the engine. Then add the second feeder. The lube is $3 and the feeder is $5.

Good luck!

[SPFan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by pitogo


I will expand but for now my main request is to find out if there is a drop-in replacement motor to power the Loco with high-torque at low speeds. Looking for slow smooth speeds without the motor hesitating due to lack of power.

One option would be to replace the motor with a gearhead motor. Get the dimensions for the existing motor and available space then search the web for DC gearhead motors. Two companies that come to mind are Pittman and Maxon. I am sure there are more.

Pete

[Anonymous]

Looks like I won't be needed the replacement. I just keep that engine as is and get a Proto Sounds 2.0 equipped MTH with a RCU and TIU. Think I'm gonna go DCS instead to also control TMCC. Too bad Lionel doesn't equip all their TMCC with Odyssey Speed control.