Motor w/flywheel upgrades

@ironman1 posted:

I have a traditional Lionel O gauge Polar Express & Harry Potter Hogwarts Express I’d like to upgrade for smoother running & added pulling power. Possibly also adding a fan driven smoke unit to each if possible. I’m looking for suggestions for these services. Personal experiences (price, customer satisfaction, etc.) would be helpful.

Thank you

If those engines have a typical Mabuchi RS385, there are few options for upgrades mostly because of size and the majority of motors that would fit don’t have that much more additional torque, even much more expensive ones. Smoke no problem. Many here can help you with that.

Pete

Anyone have experience with Timko Repair Depot?

@ironman1 posted:

Anyone have experience with Timko Repair Depot?

I'll put in a "positive" for experience with Frank Timko.  He does great work.

The Series II Polar Express set locomotive has a larger motor and it doesn't need an upgrade.

The Hogwart's locomotive has the small flat-sided set motor and would greatly benefit from a motor upgrade.  I sent one to Frank Timko and had that done.  I've also used Frank for several other motor upgrades, I recommend him for the job as well.

I’ve heard his work is great, so probably very busy. How about turn around time?

@ironman1 posted:

I’ve heard his work is great, so probably very busy. How about turn around time?

Call and ask, he's the only one that would actually know that.

Of course I could call, but I figured if someone could recommend him, they’d also be able to offer at least a turn around time range they experienced.

I’m also interested in other’s that offer this service unless Timko would be considered the best.

@ironman1 posted:

I’m also interested in other’s that offer this service unless Timko would be considered the best.

There may be others. Some of us have done this themselves but I am not aware of anyone else who does it for others. The difficult part is removing the gear from the existing motor and installing it on the new motor. Few have the skills, nor confidence to do this as a service.

Pete

Pat @harmonyards does motor replacements for many folks, I don't know if this is something he'd do or not, but you can ask.

Thanks John. I give him a call.

John, Is the series II Polar Express the LionChief one with the remote?

thanks

I think any of the later PE sets had the larger motor.  I believe the larger motor was fitted to the LC models, obviously I'm not 100% positive.  Simple to check the motor size, the shell comes off very easily with four screws.  If it has the small flat-sided motor, you may want to consider either finding another frame or upgrading the motor.  There are so many of these sets around now, it may be cheaper to simply buy another locomotive, perhaps someone has one that has been "abused" and/or dropped.  Swap the shell with yours and you have your larger motor.

Thanks