Troubleshoot Hornby French 3 rail BB-8051

David, they run on AC, 24 volts.  Most American 12-16 volt transformers won't do much for it.  Some of the older Lionel transformers (like the type R) had poles that you could use to come up with 24 volts to the track.

- david

Thank you very much with that help!   I will try that and thank you for responding so promptly.   I have to go back to work in a minute and hope to talk to you again.   Dave

All french HORNBY models, post war, may be run with a DC transformer. Hornby geaves a voltage of 20 Volts maximum.

There is two models of this locomotive, each of them is comon here in Fance.

The first one is the green model, illustrated under, the OBB,made 1954-61. It is intended to run on 20 volts AC but can also accept DC. The reversing lever is located on the side of the pantograph. Three positions, forward neutral and reverse. 

The second model, the TBB made 1957-63  is similar in size and body except it is two ton green but is can be used only with a DC transformer as the motor as a permanent magnet and it reverses directly from the transformer. 

So what is yours ?  Those motors can be easily fixed and the use of a Lionel transformer is perfect to run them. 

Very best,

Daniel

France.

Merci, Daniel, thank you very much.  I believe my loco is the dc version.  The loco is now with a local person who repairs Lionel.  Any thought if a DC transformer does not

 move the engine?  Thank you for participating on the forum.  I hope to read more of your posts.  Dave

Just buy a cheap bridge rectifier and you can run it with your AC transformer through the rectifier.

Lew Schneider

I have the AC version and it does take quite a bit more voltage to get going than most American loco's, but it is a nice runner.

Steve

You are welcome Dave.

The main problem with french Hornby DC models is that the permanent magnet tends with time to demagnetised due to a poor quality. Some collectors place new magnets on the original ones but the motors tends to overheat very fast.

The advice that Lew geave to buy an AC bridge rectifier is excellent, no modification to do and you can return the engine to original condition if you want.

If you want to collect Hornby keep in mind that there is only three french post war models that use DC curent so it is a big advantage to use the same transformer for all your trains.

Daniel

Merci beaucoup, thank you very much Steve, Lew, and Daniel for mcuh information and help.    I believe we have the DC version as there is no reversing lever and the photo helps identify the Robin's-egg color, at last for a guy like me who is a little blind.    The motor is clean, wheels turn, and brushes are good.  We previously tried AC and DC without getting any turning from the motor.   We are wondering if we or a previous owner demagnetized the motor.   My Lionel repair friend is reluctant to try to open the motor for fear of damaging it, which I can appreciate it.  He mentions tabs that hold it together.  Any thought on next step?   Try to open the motor, send it someone that you might know, etc?   Thank you all for reading and helping.  The Forum demonstrates what a great bunch of hobbyists we have.  Dave

salut daniel. super tes hornby. mais l'avantage de   AC EST QUE NOUS POUS FAIRE UNE RAQUETTE  cad loop track . sinon j'ignore si avec Dc ( malgré le  DCC OU DCS cad digital us), ON PEUT FAIRE LE LOOP TRACK?