Is it worth trying to DCC a 1980’s Hornby Schools Class??

Hi All.  When in 2015 I returned to model railways I purchased a tender driven Hornby Schools, I may have mentioned this at the time?? But it is just sitting in a “ Really Useful Box  â€œ taking up space. And the question has resurfaced .It does run Direct Current.   Any advice would be appreciated , best wishes. Kevin

You can't run it on DCC without fitting a DCC decoder to it.
DCC is not direct current. The best I can describe it is that DCC is a type of AC current
The decoder takes the DCC current & converts it to DC which it then supplies to the motor as DC.
I don't know whether the tender drive can be converted to DCC but it is probably possible.

Hi Tony.   Thank you for your reply.  The reason that I mentioned DC is obvious, and I do understand the difference“ If it don’t run well on DC? “ then “” It ain’t going to run with a DCC Decoder hard wired into it””! But when 
Hornby designed and built lt, they wired it in such a way, that the Tender will not run on its own, and there is no room or not much room for a Decoder in the Tender , the connection to the Loco is a pin,  and me not being an expert the flexibility of wire, that is why I asked the question.  Best wishes. Kevin

Hi Tony.   Thank you for your reply.  The reason that I mentioned DC is obvious, and I do understand the difference“ If it don’t run well on DC? “ then “” It ain’t going to run with a DCC Decoder hard wired into it””! But when 
Hornby designed and built lt, they wired it in such a way, that the Tender will not run on its own, and there is no room or not much room for a Decoder in the Tender , the connection to the Loco is a pin,  and me not being an expert the flexibility of wire, that is why I asked the question.  Best wishes. Kevin

http://yourmodelrailway.net/view_topic.php?id=8547  may help you Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Changing a tender drive to DCC is not that complicated, there are some inherent issues depending on the age of the model that mean it may not be the best way to go.

One lead from the engine to the tender means that it has "American" current collection, one side from the engine, the other from the tender. Not ideal for DCC.

The tender will almost certainly have a live chassis, which means the ringfield motor will have to be isolated.

The insulated wheels on the tender will probably have traction tires. These should be replaced but…

The wheel rims on the tender have a tendency to become loose with age. No real cure except to replace them. EDIT: The wheels and rims need to be replaced. New rims on old wheels doesn't work.

Tender drives are noisy, especially old ones. Gears get worn with age, and can loose teeth. EDIT: Or loose on the shaft from the motor.

There are solutions, nearly all are expensive and usually involve building a new tender chassis with motor/gearbox or getting a replacement motorised unit from Hollywood Foundry (be prepared to wait). Or build a new motorised chassis for the engine (use the current chassis or build a new one).

It is doable (I've done several Hornby tender drives) but tedious Sell it on if it is not essential.

Nigel

I agree with Nigel. It is doable but may not give the best results for all of the reasons he has stated.

Consider trying to get a Hornby RailRoad version of the Schools. It will have a decent motor in the locomotive and is DCC-ready (8-pin). The RailRoad version uses the old mouldings (i.e. all but identical to what you already have), which were pretty decent anyway. The tender uses the old chassis with the 'pancake' motor housing, but with no motor fitted in there.

Hi Ron.  Thank you for your reply.  It does seem like I have purchased a “Pig in a Poke”? And it sounds like it would be more trouble than it is worth. Best wishes. Kevin

Hi Nigel.  Thank you. Sounds a bit like me? Losing teeth, worn with age, replacement parts? My track record with doing “ straightforward “ jobs is bad enough without trying what sounds impossible ? to/ for me to do, considering that I am still at the plank stage, and with so many other “Locos on the Shed road, awaiting the fitters”.At a guess? I think that I have more DC Locos than DCC Locos but only because I haven’t fitted the Decoders into them yet. That begs the question “ Why don’t I get a DC layout? or why don’t I set a day,or more, to do the job?
I really wish I could supply an answer, I need to get organised. Best wishes. Kevin

Hi Jeff.   As I have said before I should “ look before I leap “ and with this Loco I had my eyes closed. I should have gone for a T 9 instead or any other Southern or BR ( S) Loco . You mentioned a Railroad version? are they not a bit “Rubbishy” ? And to buy another Loco just to swap? parts seems “AAF” ( back to front). I am getting on , at long last with the scenery for my portable Shunting Puzzle another job, that I have been faffing around with, for long enough, let alone the “ Chubber “ inspired Sector Plate , at least I have the Timber. for it. To be continued.Best wishes. Kevin

[user=1801]Passed Driver[/user] wrote:

Hi Jeff.   As I have said before I should “ look before I leap “ and with this Loco I had my eyes closed. I should have gone for a T 9 instead or any other Southern or BR ( S) Loco . You mentioned a Railroad version? are they not a bit “Rubbishy” ? And to buy another Loco just to swap? parts seems “AAF” ( back to front). I am getting on , at long last with the scenery for my portable Shunting Puzzle another job, that I have been faffing around with, for long enough, let alone the “ Chubber “ inspired Sector Plate , at least I have the Timber. for it. To be continued.Best wishes. Kevin

Kevin, I was thinking along the lines of what Nigel suggested, sell the old one and buy the RailRoad one instead. If you like the livery on your old one, it may be possible to swap the bodies before selling the remains. The RailRoad schools is not too bad; as I said, it uses the same mouldings as the one you already have, with a better mechanism, so that can't be any worse, can it? Where the RailRoad versions fall down a little is in the lesser printed detailing, such as simplified lining and lettering.

Hi Kevin,

We all have had an oinker (or over here a lemon). Where it gets difficult is does a money and time investment = a good result, or is it a boat (often defined as a hole in the water into which you throw money). If the newer model is DCC ready don't waste your time, unless you feel the learning experience will be useful. My experience with tender drives is that a lot of Anglo Saxon words usually get used, with the end result still whirring like a drunken pheasant and still lurching down the track. This time however under DCC control. Hornby ringfield motors and gear trains are not renowned for their efficiency. Same issues with Mainline and Lima versions (bin there, dun them), easier to work on though, I still have a Mainline Warship with DCC and a brace of Lima diesel railways that I am working on.

Nigel

Hi Jeff.  Thank you.  â€œ Sell The Old one” , sounds an excellent idea ? But, how would I be able to. I am not a ruthless model railway shop owner? and I wouldn’t want to con someone. It would seem that I am stuck with it? Best  wishes. Kevin

Hi Nigel.   Thank you. What me? Anglo Saxon words? When I was working I did hear and learn some language that would probably fit the bill? But now I do take the name of “Jesus Christ” and “ For Christ Sake “ or “ Oh God “in tense situations.  Best wishes.  Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Beyond redemption then. 

Nigel

Hi Nigel Not Exactly ? But , as it is a runner. I will leave it in situ , for now, and buy a “Really Useful Box “ where it it can wait with other DCC conversions. And one day? Who knows, I may learn the skill? to do hard wire the lot, or alligator clips from my DC controller and have an old fashion running day.   Best wishes.  Kevin