Just a few notes and highlights about upgrading the motor for 8856 ‘Krokodil’. The 5 pole motor is currently available from mostly German dealers on Ebay, it is part number E211904. There are a couple of pitfalls and things to be aware of before you decide to make the repair. First is the rather awkward nature of the design of this loco, it uses a very small circuit board which thereby requires six wires to be soldered from it to the articulated frames, being that there is little room under the hood and the wires maybe 30 years old resoldering some maybe required!

Getting started: After the cabin and hoods are removed the circuit board is unscrewed (2 screws) and the pins removed from the wheel frames. BIG NOTE: 2 rubber washers are located between circuit board and motor frame, be careful not to lose these tiny parts after unscrewing circuit board! Motor frame is thus free from the loco and motor can be easily replaced with the new one, but first the new motor needs to be prepped; bend capacitor so that it is level with rest of motor (it is delivered with the capacitor bent upwards), the capacitor will rest under circuit board and above worm drive (this makes sense when you see it). Use great care putting the center frame back in place, the objective is to not break any wires. Don’t forget to put those rubber washers back in place. Wa lah!!!

Enjoy a much quieter “Krok”!!!!