Category Archives: Steam Locomotives

Marklin BR 10 Steam Locomotive: 5 Pole Motor Upgrade

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Marklin’s BR 10 steam locomotives 8888 + 8889 were released with 3 pole motors, today the 5 pole motor upgrade is possible and relatively easy. Side by side comparison of the 3 pole (262700-clear casing) and 5 pole (E211911-black casing) motors:

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This loco design features a fairly heavy cast metal shell that performs well putting weight on the wheels and giving excellent tractive effort. Does this loco benefit from the motor upgrade? This is one of those locos that runs great with 3 pole, but the 5 pole will be a little bit better slow throttle and a bit more quiet. The repair is quick for those with a little experience and patience.

The shell is removed by first gently prying off cap that conceals screw followed by removing screw.

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The motor capacitor wires are always soldered to the chassis pick-ups, with soldering iron apply heat and remove original solder points.

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Remove top and bottom screws that hold motor in place. Slide off old motor. If floating gear on pin  is pulled out carefully turn until gearing engages with wheel gears. Slide opposite end of pin into brass bushing of new motor and carefully engage gears with the motor gear.

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Secure top and bottom screws and resolder capacitor wires and chassis electrical pick-ups. Notice side rods are held in place after securing shell, it maybe a little tricky at first to place side rods correctly before attaching shell. Note: one side rod on each side is always stationary and held in place by sliding onto post in frame (red plastic), the other side rod on each side is held in a channel below the other side rod.

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Carefully holding both pairs of side rods in place while attaching shell is the only method for achieving success, you may need to try this several times to achieve the awkward coordination needed. Note: front of shell always goes on first.

SNCF: Steam Loco Numbering

Marklin has produced several mini-club steam locomotives for SNCF including an “Export Models” and regular production locos: 8108 (Serie 231 – “Nostalgie Istanbul-Orient Express), 88063 (Serie 232 TC – Export Model for France 2003), 88833 (Serie 150 Y – One Time Series 1998), and 88956 (Serie 130 TB).

In 1937 the SNCF was formed thus nationalizing several private rail companies: Est (East) – CF de I’Est, Nord (North) – CF du Nord, Ouest (West) – CF d’Etat, Sud Ouest (South West) – PO-Midi, and Sud Est (South East) – CF PLM. Numbering steam locos of the SNCF follows wheel arrangements followed by class letters and finally road numbers. Wheel arrangements/ axle groupings were interpreted as follows: 4-6-2 was numbered 231. And with tank locos a ‘T’ followed the axle arrangement.

Marklin releases SNCF locos rather infrequently and two of these examples predate the current 5 pole motor, but they can be easily upgraded to 5 pole with appropriate motor type.

Marklin 88833 – SNCF: upgrading to the 5 pole motor

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Upgrading locos with original 3 pole motors to 5 pole is up to each of us to decide with consideration for the cost and benefit, some locos improve greatly from the upgrade others less so. Marklin’s magnificent 88833 is one loco that I recommend the 5 pole motor upgrade for improvements to slow throttling, not much difference in sound level between the 3 pole and 5 pole which seems to be more evident in plastic shell locos.

The Marklin 88833 class 150 Y for SNCF was a “One Time Series” from 1998, it’s standard motor was the 3 pole #268850. The 5 pole motor replacement is E211915. Construction of the two motors varies little except for the motor housing which is clear in the 3 pole and opaque black in the 5 pole. Changing out the motors is easy, but you will need a basic knowledge of soldering which factors into this repair.

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Note: use the correct size screwdriver for the two screws which are accessed in this repair. Also use care to remove these screws without scratching the heads or stripping the threads: DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN.

Steps for success:

  1. Carefully remove single screw that holds shell to chassis and set aside.img_6153
  2. Notice capacitor wires are soldered to pick-up leads, carefully un-solder these two contacts.img_6165
  3. Unscrew motor from chassis.
  4. Carefully slide motor off loco frame. img_6166
  5. Notice brass bushing near drive gear on new motor. img_6167
  6. Also notice clip on bottom of new motor, this clip will engage with loco frame and help with alignment.
  7. Notice gear on loco that engages with gearing to wheels, this gear’s rod slides into brass bushing on motor and automatically should allow for engagement of the two gears.
  8. Gears may need to be turned slightly for engagement (new motor will slide into place easily).
  9. When the motor is correctly installed with gears turning freely and no gaps between motor housing and loco frame install small screw.img_6168
  10. Solder capacitor wires and pick-up contacts on loco frame.
  11. Place very small drop of  light synthetic oil to motor bearing.
  12. Test loco on track.img_6171
  13. Attach shell!

Railex: Locomotives

Railex locomotives are not known as good runners primarily because they don’t have motors! Pure mechanical master pieces made of brass with working side rods. A company with very little web presence also makes some of the finest “Z” items, but it is challenging to find them anywhere for sale except of course online. Not having a motor is no problem, that solution was cleverly found with “ghost’ locomotives which are coaches or box cars modified with motor and transmission. These locos chug right along with a little help from a big brother. Thus far 19th century German steam has only been modeled by Railex who also make early era rolling stock and coaches. Every Railex item is identified with their logo, but build quality is also a signature identifier. Take a close look and you will also see the engineer peering from around the cab.

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from top:

  1. Railex – K.Bay.STS.B B VI Kreittmayr steam locomotive with peat burner and tender.    Epoch I. Working life 1869-? Beige color scheme. Loco used for Ludwig II royal trains. Operating number 425.
  2. Railex – K.Bay.STS.B Tristan B VI. Epoch I – 1865 version. Working life 1865-1912 (scrapped). Beige color scheme. Operating number 316.
  3. Railex – K.Bay.STS.B Vils C II Bavarian freight loco with tender type C n2 3T class CII, named Vils. Epoch I. Maximum speed: 45km/h. Working life: 1867-1900. Green/black/gray color scheme. Operating number 362.

*Siding: Railex items come packed in a black box with gold foil label. 19th century German steam locomotives have often been compared to toy trains in appearance. Or vice versa!

How A Steam Locomotive Works

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Every once in awhile a book needs to be mentioned that relates to railroading history. One such book is one I found at the book shop at “Steamtown” in Scranton, PA. Aptly titled How A Steam Locomotive Works – A New Guide is a fine textbook on all functional aspects of steam locomotion by the author Dominic Wells published in 2015 by Ian Allan Publishing. The author begins with a simple description of creating steam in a pot before embarking on a clever description of adapting it to train locomotion, a simple but highly complex system of engineering. Expertly written with numerous illustrations this book is the reference guide for all interested in steam trains. More than 150 pages covering every important function and design of the steam locomotive. I highly recommend this book above any other on this topic.