Can We Make This 1980s TGV Train Run Again? Jouef Model

Here is what I suspect to be a 1980s model of a Jouef HO scale TGV train. When I first got this the motor had been removed and as I would later discover was in need of servicing. Today I had a go to see if a bit of cleaning and oil could get this set riding the rails again.

[@roderickcampbell2105]

I've ridden on the TGV in the 80's. Awesome. Feels like you're standing still. But things fly by kinda fast. How wonderful. Now, time to see this come together.

[@martinross5521]

Me too - amazingly comfortable and reliable trains. Fun to watch from the line side when they’re at speed too 🚝

[@joallawestervelt6918]

So very cool. The "Magic Touch of Harrison" strikes again. 😉💕😊

[@ArcadiaJunctionModelTrains]

I worked for Jouef in Ireland when they made models here. I was always amazed by how wimpy the motor was in terms of pulling power and size. At the time most of what jouef made was very nice but they practically put N scale motors in their HO locos. They got around this by making the rolling stock as light as possible with almost zero friction wheels/axles. Jouef on the whole and apart from their motors made good models for the era. I have a large collection and now there are high-torque re motoring kits available to bring them up to excellent traction.

[@SMTMainline]

It's too bad they chose to under power these models since the rest of the drive doesn't seem half bad. (Compared to TYCO)

[@ZaksMTS]

Always love the high speed trains. Looks really good running around your layout!

[@brianbenson1973]

I'm not only a train foamer, I'm a guitarist too! 🎸 🇨🇦 🇺🇸 Awesome video Harrison! Great guitar music!

[@Thebanjoberk]

*banjo and steam noises*

[@davidztog9011]

Very cool addition to your collection, Harrison. If you remember, way back when, I purchased that same set at a Pennsy train show, but in N scale. It was the looks and colour of the set that made it stand out. Thanks for sharing. 👍👍👍

[@robertcrundwell2782]

Glad you got it running I have an eight-car unit in the same coloring and I did buy mine in the 80s. Mine was actually made made by Lima and the cars have full Interiors.

[@johnthompson5998]

Man you are not afraid to tear them apart, very good work

[@kroy1037]

Well done, Harrison! A welcome illustration of a different kind of motor to restore and a great addition to the diversity of your collection.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks!

[@dansmodelrailways7886]

Hey, nice job. Joef is pronounced Joe-f over here in the UK. They made some stuff for the UK market but generally not too great! That TGV is good though.

[@garysprandel1817]

Damn Harrison you are the Angus MacGyver of model railroading. And looked like you had quite the collection of fine imported vintage French carpet fuzz there.

[@myvideosetc.8271]

1:25 nearly there, the motor is actually from Jouef, they also made slot cars in the 60's and the motor is from those slot cars, so yes, they designed the boguie to fit ther existing line of motors.

[@SMTMainline]

Interesting.

[@andrewyosai9667]

Enjoy your site ,love the restorations that you do. Enjoyed the TVG run ad repair Andy from Indiana New to your site

[@victabeer3960]

Good to see your using you great grandfather's pliers. Made me laugh seeing such a delicate little motor rebuild then giant rusty pliers . Cheers

[@haroldalexis4200]

This is the first repair restoration of a Jouef TGV electric that I viewed. Actually when i bought mine in the 1980's, it was LIMA theirs identical but made in Italy. I have Jouef rounded articulated add on having a time trying to get the other half of its mate. Good job always be careful with your high speeds with your layout in elevation happy model railroading Harrison. 🙂

[@JBofBrisbane]

The Lima TGV had a pancake motor similar if not identical to the ones in most of their other models.

[@martinross5521]

Excellent work again Harrison, fiddly job but we’ll done. These orange ones did the Paris to southern Alps route. Blue ones Paris to Biarritz if you see a set in a store on your travels…🤩🇫🇷🚝

[@mikesmith9908]

Well young man I love your show enjoy the trains and your hobby keep up the good work

[@jojo99FIN]

I love how this train looks like.

[@mvg2x34]

Nice job servicing the motor. I picked up one of these second hand a while ago but it never really ran well. This type of maintenance and overhaul is not for everyone. You are very good, no broken parts.

[@Meijin_viper]

Awesome work! Always been one of my favorite high-speed trains.

[@williammcgeehan3424]

Mid 1980's and these were State of the Art. I believe an Amtrak " Rohr " turotrain was available around the same time. 👋

[@robertcrundwell2782]

I have a French model by Jouef an Amtrak with the European engine. The cabin change to the American Style tab came later.

[@williammcgeehan3424]

@@robertcrundwell2782 Rapido came out with an updated model of the turboliner about a year ago. Amtrak ran them in New York State as well as the Midwest out of Chicago. Amtrak also ran the UA ( United Aircraft ) 3 car turbo train on the Northeast Corridor. An ho scale model was also offered by Rapido trains a few years ago in several paint schemes including the demonstrator scheme for Penn Central in 1969.

[@robertcrundwell2782]

@@williammcgeehan3424 I am familiar with all those. I was fortunate to ride one of those updated Rohr unit when it made a run through Ohio. I would have liked to have bought the Rapido model but I had been laid off and didn't have the money at the time.

[@CR7659]

@@williammcgeehan3424 Rapido announced it last year, they have preproduction samples but it hasn't actually been released yet

[@jcure]

Smooth piece of work.

[@epacm50]

Awesome Job Harrison! Serenity for all!!!

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Nice upload found it very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Thank you very much for replying to my comment. I have a new video out now. Hope you like and share.

[@MattKonsol]

Really nice project and some really nice music though. I didn’t know you liked rock. Same for me too.

[@SMTMainline]

Mid to late 80s rock is my favorite kind of music. The rest is decent.

[@GoViaorgohome]

That’s a neat one for sure. You always have these super different locos. It’s great.

[@shockstrains5077]

the tgv looks awesome flying around the layout!

[@randallellison6421]

Looks like you got another speedster for the layout Harrison! I have a Kato SD40-2 that has a similar stalling problem, only mine is far worse, so bad in fact, I had to pull it from active duty and it basically sat in a display cabinet for several years! I'm fixing to tear into it and try to get it running again in preparation for another channel's challenge, hopefully it's nothing major because it's still a very nice locomotive!

[@ChristopherBrown-mq1lg]

Nice work 👍 ! Really cool looking !

[@lawnmowermanTX]

Nice salvage job! I have a Rivarossi Yard Goat, and Crescent Limited 4-6-2 with truck/wheel contact issues, the main board is in storage.. as life events have halted my model railroad ambitions and a work injury.. :-/ My exgf got me the Crescent Limited from a train store in El Paso.. But.. that was back in the 80's.. Most motors have brush/contact/power issues, and need to be cleaned.. Lots of TLC, and stead/nimble/finger/hands work wonders.. Great Salvage Job! KUDOS from Central Texas! Shalom Y'all! I'm a fan of Athern locomotives.. Sadly, I don't understand DCC, but use old style traditional DC track use.. Some Model Railroad magazines, had extensive realistic operation style DCC but to each their own..

[@mercuryoak2]

That's really cool find and repairing it back to working order. I seen online Hattons in england is going to get more of these TGV sets 4th quarter of 2021 which are all made for dcc ready now. Very unique locomotive set which in history made 236mph world speed record in 1981 i did see then it would run 186 mph normally and remained in service til 2020.

[@Papa_Shurika]

Hello! Good job! Magnificent train! 👍 I am waiting for this electric train for my depot.

[@ModelRailwayShed]

Absolutely brilliant video 👍

[@MMRails]

Super boulot comme toujours! Je suis impressionné que vous puissiez réparer les trains étrangers aussi facilement que les trains nord-américains. Sucre de pastèque élevé!! -Marc

[@robertcooney4139]

Nice " fix " Thank you 😊

[@hopstrr]

we have a runner well done SMT

[@Tyc11114]

When are you gonna post an update on the extension, I'm anticipating it

[@SMTMainline]

I think pretty soon, major progress on the landscaping has already taken place.

[@Tyc11114]

@@SMTMainline wow, you've been working fast, I just got a permanent layout set up, still working on it lol

[@gkjsooley]

Well done! About Jouef wheels and derailing: on some older Jouef models the wheels wind up sliding along the axle, putting them, of course, out of gauge. Check the gauge of all the wheels on the TGV, reset any that have slipped, and I assume a spot of cryo glue can be used to hold them in place.

[@exlimey1417]

I remember wanting one of those in the 80s. Used to see one at The Whistle Stop in Pasadena all the time. Never pulled the trigger on one though, too expensive for my allowance.

[@Weeethunder]

Cool train! Also today i got a Ho scale DDA40X train

[@blueline308]

Don't play music. rather hear you talk.

[@SMTMainline]

I will keep this in mind.

[@Demun1649]

This would look much better with a full rake of two locomotives and 11 cars. Also, just think how great it would look if the model used Jacob Bogies like the 1/1 version. And, a much better looking train than the Shinkansen you bought, but, again, the Shinkansen should be running a minimum of 6 cars, and two locos, up to 16 cars and two locos. I run 11 car sets of HST125 Class 43, and a 16 car TGV. But it is expensive to run long trains, costs a lot more to buy, but they do look so cool. Mind you, I rail model in T-Gauge, so I have the space problem licked. Good video.

[@AlKaseltzer87]

You seem to have a lot of success getting these old engines running, maybe you or anyone here can help. I have an old n scale split frame bachmann gp-38 I got in my early teens. I had it apart one day cleaning it and somehow, the contact on the motor caught a string on my sleeve bending it up and the brush spring came flying out, brush stayed in the motor, it sat dead for years. Last year I got the ideas to make a new spring for it since I can't find a replacement motor for it. I used three or four strands from the inside of a copper wire wrapped around a picture nail to form the spring, dropped it in and bent the retainer back in place, connected it to a battery and the motor started spinning. I dropped the motor back into the chassis without the drive shafts connected, put it on a test track and connected a nine volt to the rails. Lights on the engine came on, bit the motor wouldn't turn, removed the motor and connected to the battery again, motor turns fine. As far as I can tell, the motor is making contact to the chassis where it should and not shorting on anything. TL:DR motor works outside chassis but not in.

[@EA-379_trainspotter]

Nice, I watching YOU from Europa

[@justinflanigan4263]

Nice video

[@paulbervid1610]

Great job

[@KrizAkoni]

That’s pretty cool!

[@kevinbreaker2683]

Nice job🌟👍

[@Brianrockrailfan]

Awesome

[@lilboy216]

the TGV i one of my favorite trains in the world

[@ziplocBagofRobloxia]

have this set with a expansion car, pretty cool set and is fast

[@HawkerBlue]

Oh a Jouef. Their a weird brand, but i do like Jouef stuff. Nice to see some European things on your channel

[@shaygetz52]

Jouef motors make Tycos look like fine German coreless motors. You would buy those for $29.99 in 1983.

[@MontrealtrainChannel]

I have the Atlantic TGV version by Jouef. It pronounced Jou F but many way to name it. I have the same TGV than yours but in by Lima that runs good. I have 3 add on cars for it. But for my Jouef TGV they are very hard to find and they’re expensive too.

[@raydiciacca5059]

Do you know where I can purchase a drive assembly like the one in your video. your video was very informative

[@oscartorres96]

Second nice Video Harrison Keep Up the Good Work

[@animewithsenpai2923]

Yeah

[@animewithsenpai2923]

I cant seem to find any old trains on ebay anymore are you buying them all Harrison

[@randallellison6421]

There still old trains on Ebay, just purchased a pair of Accurail 89' TOFC cars no to long ago, also you might check the Ozarks Model Train Yard Sale over on Facebook, they'll have old Tyco, Life-Like, Athearn, and Bachmann stuff on there as well!

[@SMTMainline]

Some months the site seems to have more stuff than others. I couldn't tell you why.

[@animewithsenpai2923]

Ehm yeah

[@gamerfan8445]

Hey I got my bother a old J3 Hudson. And it kind of moving, but it tender is sparking. I clean and oil the locomotive. Can you tell what I doing Wong. Thanks

[@CameronRenye-ez7yj]

Awesome model. I actually have the same one and was wondering if you know what the model of the engine is. I tried to meet some people to get a new one, but it seems no one knew what is was. Great video though.

[@DeZug]

Is this old mold same as the latest Jouef TGV in market today?

[@charlesballard5251]

I got aTGV for my nephew for christmas back in the mid-80's. I swear it looked like yours but I also swear it was a Bachmann. I'm wondering if Bachmann just imported the cars and put together the set themselves with their own packaging. Thoughts?

[@ExodusNexus222]

How much did you get it for. i am just starting out and am trying to find good prices

[@SMTMainline]

I think it was around $60 but keep in mind that was in a lot and in non working order. They usually go for around $100 but aim lower.

[@acrranscaleandlifejourney4330]

Howdy Harrison, do you get fiberglass pieces in your fingers? Thinking of getting some of those fiberglass pencils.

[@SMTMainline]

I've got itchy skin a couple times after using one so I think so. I always wash my hands after using one.

[@acrranscaleandlifejourney4330]

@@SMTMainline thank you for your advice.

[@stephenclaridge1896]

Great to see some European Trains on your track. Do you have any Classic British trains?

[@4everdc302]

Foreign trains. SMT repair manual chapter.Looked it might have did some carpet running long ago.

[@SMTMainline]

I think it must have due to the amount of fibers inside it.

[@SB-cd2mx]

👍👍👍

[@stephenhudson6543]

At TGV doesn't stay on the track at high speed like the real one does mine kept flipping off the track

[@thebricoapple5134]

Hello You can make another video on other tgv ! Please

[@modelrailroader5619]

👍

[@goldenplainsrailroadedits]

Yes you can make it run

[@Demun1649]

A previous owner has run this train on lines placed on a carpet. I service 1/64th slot cars for the local people, and carpets are not good for electric motors.

[@SMTMainline]

Many train sets didn't have roadbed until the mid 90s so I've had countless locomotives from before that era arrive packed with carpet fibres.

[@Demun1649]

@@SMTMainline My dad bought a massive piece of marine ply, to use as the baseboard. After dinner on Sundays, clear the table, three to place the board, and then build the layout, place the buildings, roads, people, vehicles, trees, bridges. It was great fun. And not on the carpet! We were lucky, I guess.

[@mistermadmachine6311]

I saw a jouef steam engine on eBay

[@Westernstarguy4900]

Hi SMT how are you doing today and do you have any lifelike ho trains that you don't want anymore

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

Nice H.O

[@potatohead5910]

Fun fact: Jouef, directly translated to English, means "player".

[@potatohead5910]

It's pronounced "zhwiff"

[@Flame_Soldier01]

I have a perfect condition TGV

[@michaelhband]

👍👍👍❤❤❤🚂🚂🚂

[@the_autism_express]

I feel like the only one who thinks the term "power car" to refer to the locomotives if a high speed train is kinda weird

[@JBofBrisbane]

Possibly because they provide both motive power and head-end power for lighting and aircon. I know that's common for passenger locos in North America, but in my part of the world (Australia), locomotives don't have head-end power fitted - rather, that is mounted in a closed van at one end of the train or the other (or in the case of the Indian-Pacific, at both ends).

[@llm282]

Im french :)

[@nordisk1874]

Just remember, les quebecois and Acadian French is proper real French! That’s why the country of France can’t understand it! As someone who was taught French by French Canadian nuns, France looks down upon their former colonies and old French!

[@JBofBrisbane]

Quebecois pride themselves on being more French than the French!

[@nordisk1874]

@@JBofBrisbane of course, cause they are! Except Acadians have a proper French accent v Quebec!

[@mr.shadestrains6033]

6️⃣0️⃣3️⃣🚂😎. 🚂❤️kool

[@scpvrr]

The music detracts from the value. You are moving away from that which made you successful: explaining the work. Fast forward with bad music doesn’t work.

[@SMTMainline]

I will keep that in mind.

[@momsmaniacs2398]

You should make a “HO scale train crash video” with all the train crashes on your layout

[@jcure]

then what would @SMT mainline do for the next weeks show ?

[@tomsmaerklintrainlayout6742]

Great video of getting this train to work again !!! I just got a copy of the Bachmann version (made by Jouef), and it ran fine w/o any major maintenance or repair: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3bIenyrjNWeoa8

[@canadianbehaviour8280]

*EUROBEAT STARTS PLAYING*

[@lukeslocos6610]

It's pronounced "j-oo-v"

[@mikejordan8259]

First.

[@michaelhband]

👍👍👍