Replacing Hogwart's Locomotive motor with large motor

https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005002749072692.html

Choose hole 1,98mm for the worm

Do you have a link on AliExpress for the gear?

Ummm,….yeah,…do they have this in English?….😳….but thank you!

Pat

Can you share the source of these?  FWIW, I already figured out it was the RD-370, but not the exact model.  I'd like to pick up the motor and the worm, I'll have to figure something to do the adapter plate, I don't have the fancy metal working that you obviously do.

I looked at that exact model, it seems a bit slow unless you're running it at a pretty high voltage.  Have you actually run this engine with the motor mounted?

@harmonyards posted:

Ummm,….yeah,…do they have this in English?….😳….but thank you!

Pat

You can change the language at the top of the page.

I figured it out,….neat site!…

Pat

SWEET Isaak!!!!

It would be nice to centralize these and all the other little obscure parts descriptions/sizes/vendors etc info we all have stashed about here and there.   I can build a database if y'all are interested.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Can you share the source of these?  FWIW, I already figured out it was the RD-370, but not the exact model.  I'd like to pick up the motor and the worm, I'll have to figure something to do the adapter plate, I don't have the fancy metal working that you obviously do.

I looked at that exact model, it seems a bit slow unless you're running it at a pretty high voltage.  Have you actually run this engine with the motor mounted?

I’m guessing our new found friend is from overseas,….if he’s willing to share his motor swap plate in a drawing, I can surely duplicate it over here ……still curious how he installs the gear on the motor shaft,…..ain’t like those Mabuchis shafts are exactly strong,…..they’ll bow in a heartbeat,…..

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

I’m guessing our new found friend is from overseas,….if he’s willing to share his motor swap plate in a drawing, I can surely duplicate it over here ……still curious how he installs the gear on the motor shaft,…..ain’t like those Mabuchis shafts are exactly strong,…..they’ll bow in a heartbeat,…..

Well, it's not a steel gear, so maybe it have a bit more "give" than the steel gears we're used to seeing on these.  I ordered a couple of the gears and motors, I hope I can figure out the plate design to be able to mount them.

Yeah, I’m living in France and in Europe we use only direct current with power 0-24VCC.if you use only 18v, the locomotive could be too slow for you.

An other advice, don’t underestimate the precision of the adapter plate.

you need to be very precise when you draw and drill the holes.

it’s important to have the good distance between the worm and the axle gear to have just the functional  play , not more, not less.

@Isaak570 posted:

An other advice, don’t underestimate the precision of the adapter plate.

you need to be very precise when you draw and drill the holes.

it’s important to have the good distance between the worm and the axle gear to have just the functional  play , not more, not less.

Isaak, if you can whip up a drawing on a napkin, I can machine it,…😉

Pat

Also watching this with interest. Like my K-Line Hudson/Berkshire, I haven't induced a failure in my Hogwarts loco since I've only run mine (once) with the stock consist, but since then have added six additional cars to the set, so I'd certainly be interested in giving mine the oomph to not kill itself pulling them.

---PCJ

Very interested to see how folks make out here.  Last time I tried Ali Express it went poorly.

Pat, at see the shops at Harmon Yard working on British engines in the future.

@jhz563 posted:

Very interested to see how folks make out here.  Last time I tried Ali Express it went poorly.

While I've had a couple of problems with AliExpress, most of my many orders there have gone just fine.

Hello everyone.

I have a very general question concerning the Hogwart's set.

From the discussion concerning the motor swap I gathered that this is for the "Series 1" set.    Is this true? 

Also does the set that Lionel sells today still use the same motor or has it been upgraded for better performance? 

I'm considering on purchasing a set for a youngster this Christmas for a family that isn't train or mechanically inclined.   I'm trying to avoid issues before they find their way back to me to resolve.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

All the Hogwart's locomotives have the same size motor, there is no "upgraded" motor like they did with the Polar Express sets.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

All the Hogwart's locomotives have the same size motor, there is no "upgraded" motor like they did with the Polar Express sets.

Thank you John for your timely reply.

I guess I'll have to find something else - quite disappointing since the boy is really into Harry Potter. 

@Allegheny posted:

I guess I'll have to find something else - quite disappointing since the boy is really into Harry Potter.

Well, see the ongoing discussions about replacing the small motor in the Hogwart's locomotive, that might be it's salvation.

Allegheny, if you use the train with the 3 coaches in the set, the original motor will be OK and enough strong. No problem.

I agree with Isaac- that Harry Potter set will probably last several years pulling 3 or 4 cars . If you eventually have to replace the motor no big deal. I would buy it- make the boy happy!

JohnA

@John A posted:

I agree with Isaac- that Harry Potter set will probably last several years pulling 3 or 4 cars . If you eventually have to replace the motor no big deal. I would buy it- make the boy happy!

JohnA

The motor and worm gear are both purchased separately, you don't use anything from the original motor.  The worm is just pressed on, that could be a challenge if you don't have the proper tools.  The shim is the sticking point I suspect.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

The motor and worm gear are both purchased separately, you don't use anything from the original motor.  The worm is just pressed on, that could be a challenge if you don't have the proper tools.  The shim is the sticking point I suspect.

Thank you John for your reply as it clears the matter up considerably.

@Isaak570 posted:

Hi everybody, I  succeeded to change the original motor, with a mabuchi RK 270. It's necessary to add steel plate because the distance between the holes is not the same. Just a buy a worm module 0.5, and turn a big flywheel, the power is now ok.

that adapter plate looks great, but why the odd shape to the flywheel you mounted?

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

The motor and worm gear are both purchased separately, you don't use anything from the original motor.  The worm is just pressed on, that could be a challenge if you don't have the proper tools.  The shim is the sticking point I suspect.

While the gear is technically an interference fit, its less than .001 smaller than the motor shaft assuming is an actual 2mm. A bit of heat and the gear should just slide on.

Good to know about those 370 Mabuchis. Likely ideal for this project not only for overall size but small shaft diameter given how small the gear is.

Pete

Yep, I didn't realize there was an intermediate sized motor that would work, so it is indeed good to know.  Now, I just need to figure out how to get a couple of those plate machined...

Heat was in my plans when I press the gear on.

@jhz563 posted:

that adapter plate looks great, but why the odd shape to the flywheel you mounted?

It must be for gyroscope harmonics,….😛😛😛….BTW John, your Jinty bushings are in your mailbox,…

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

BTW John, your Jinty bushings are in your mailbox,…

Jinty bushings?

@Isaak570 posted:

Allegheny, if you use the train with the 3 coaches in the set, the original motor will be OK and enough strong. No problem.

As long as you don't have any grades.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Jinty bushings?

As long as you don't have any grades.

Not for you John,…the other John,…something he’s been waiting on from me for a minute,….😉

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

Not for you John,…the other John,…something he’s been waiting on from me for a minute,….😉

Pat

They have arrived! 

@jhz563 posted:

They have arrived!

May God bless us all is an understatement then,….😉

Pat

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I have the Polar Express with all those attributes you name, now I'm working on the Hogwart's locomotive.

The PE comes in a Series II version that's the same size, but has a full size motor.  Mine pulls eight (and probably more) cars easily.  I upgraded it to cruise, RS5, fan driven smoke, a Super-Chuffer, and LED lighting all around, including class lights, cab light, tender markers and reverse light. So, for the right price, (you don't want to know), you can have the PE with all the stuff you mention.  

Well I will need to know as you are working on my Daughters P.E. loco.

Judging by your comment, I better brace for impact!

It's fun reading this thread, can't wait to see the final solution on the Hogwarts Loco. I have a P.E. set from 2007 and the Berkshire (upgraded ERR TMCC) was fine with the set of passenger cars that it came with it, but I added a few more coaches, and now I have 8 coaches plus a Candy Cane flat car. The original Berkshire that came with the set was struggling pulling the whole consist of 9 rail cars. Then I upgraded all the P.E. passenger cars to LED anti flicker lights and added 2 ounces of weight to each coach so they would ride more realistically. Well that did it, the original P.E. Berkshire would come to a crawl with any size grade, and it would slow down significantly in the turns. I was considering a motor upgrade, but the poor old Berkshire was showing it's age so I cheated. In 2019 the LionChief Plus 2.0 P.E. Berkshire was introduced, so I bought one. The LionChief Plus 2.0 pulls my full P.E. consist and everything else I put behind it and maintains speed even up hill, so far! I haven't lifted the body off of the LionChief Berkshire, haven't had the need, but if anybody wants to know what motor it has in it let me know and I'll pop the top off. I tried to look it up in the Lionel support page and they only list one part, and it's not the motor.

Scott

Hello, yes the new flywheel I have turned is not very beautiful, because it comes from remains of brass that I have found on basket on my work...

I have just turn the diameter and the longer to fit on the locomotive.

@WesternPacific2217 posted:

In 2019 the LionChief Plus 2.0 P.E. Berkshire was introduced, so I bought one. The LionChief Plus 2.0 pulls my full P.E. consist and everything else I put behind it and maintains speed even up hill, so far! I haven't lifted the body off of the LionChief Berkshire, haven't had the need, but if anybody wants to know what motor it has in it let me know and I'll pop the top off. I tried to look it up in the Lionel support page and they only list one part, and it's not the motor.

I'm virtually 100% certain that all the later set PE models have the Series II larger motor.

..

Please note for the hole 3mm you need to drill just a little large to receive the head of countersunk screw.

It depends of the diameter of the head of your countersunk screw. For me it is 5,5mm. The head of the countersunk must not flush from the adapter plate.