Whilst any self respecting Duchess would steer clear of dealing with me unfortunately the Hornby Duchess of Sutherland locomotive has no choice! So I started dealing with her tender behind! I better clarify that in that it is the tender drive that actually powers her.
The motor did not want to run when placed on the track and even with the loco itself coupled up to complete the electrical circuit there was nothing. So without wasting time the tender body came off to reveal the motor.
The two metal ballast weights at either end were taken off which allowed the motor to be removed.
The motor is one of Hornby's pancake type similar to what Lima used. They are generally fairly robust so it was not until I removed the plastic cover to find this.
The commutator and brushes were covered in an oil/grease mix which unsurprisingly stopped electricity flowing as it should! Out came some cotton buds and IPA or rubbing alcohol as it used to be called and all was cleaned. Back together the tender was connected to the main loco chassis minus the loco body and surprisingly there is a light bulb on the front that I did not know about until it illuminated. A good sign.
The tender motor certainly ran but there was something wrong with the chassis. It just did not want to move! Time for a close examination. Taking the keeper plate off the bottom of the loco chassis revealed a very bent piece of metal.
Just bend it back flat would be most peoples initial thought and mine too. However I was soon going to experience first hand something that I have read of and seen on videos many times and dreaded ever finding in my models. More on that tomorrow in my continuing story of dealing with a Duchess!
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