Lima Class 31 : Donation Overhaul

[@Eddie-Earth]

Hi Bill! Thank you for overhauling all my loco donations! 25 years they’ve been stored, in a box, in a loft and you’ve brought them all back to life! Im super pleased that the SSPCA will benefit from the locos that you have eBay’ed! Also to see mine and my son’s model trains have a new life with you and the KZbin community! Now watching your videos down under in New Zealand! All the best Eddie 👍🏻👍🏻

[@daviddorrell8390]

After watching the Hornby new release videos of some KZbinrs today, and them not blinking an eye at the eye-watering cost of new Hornby, its a relief to see models restored and running that can be bought for sensible prices.

[@MrRespite]

I have never serviced a loco before! I bought two dodgy Class 31s at a swapmeet. I have serviced both following your video. I found that the added pickup on both needed cleaning and the wheels front and back. The brushes were also very dirty. Thank you very much for presenting this very useful guide. I have bought replacement traction tyres which were missing on both and handrails arrived yesterday. Like you I also had to replace missing buffers. I just need to get a 3mm nut spinner.

[@PeterJewell2]

Lima supplied a plastic sprue containing very fine handrails for the buyer to fit. I suspect many were never fitted, and many more broke very easily. As an alternative, there is a chap on ebay who sells sets of ready-to-fit nickel-silver handrails for only £2.50 (+letter post) per loco. They include the 90 degree bend at the top of the outer handrail, as per the prototype (understandably confusing, since cab handrails are dead straight on almost all diesel locos!) He reckons the handrails will also fit the new Hornby models, and if you are prepared to remove the moulded ones, they will fit the Tri-ang version too. Appreciated the additional commentary during the servicing, Bill. This one could usefully be a 'go-to' for someone new to your channel.

[@dougc2568]

thanks for that - very useful. my son bought himself one of those recently and was gutted when it died after a few days, muggins here is tasked with fixing it.

[@AaronOxfordExmouth1989]

That is a lovely model. Brilliantly serviced as usual. The quality control on Lima models was really varied, either superb or utterly rubbish. Great video.

[@cerievans134]

Amazing skills, pleasure to see such a lovely model regenerated superb

[@tomroland5467]

Enjoyable and informative video. I bought a Lima Class 31 some years ago secondhand. It's in working order and has running lights although one doesn't work. I realise now the lights are a modification to the original loco however, the wiring for them is poor particularly the connections. I was going to sell it but I'll have to sort out the lights first as the wiring is really bad.

[@spitfiremark1a768]

Just happened upon this channel. A nice restoration. My brother refuses to have the internet but would spend hours watching videos like this. He is part of a group that owns a real Class 31.

[@peterm7548]

Hi Bill, the handrails do come separately in LIMA 31s and have to be added. Replacements are easily available on eBay for those, like me, who don't want to make their own. Don't blame you for keeping it. I have bought a number of LIMA 31s for their detailed bodies and either put them on a more modern Hornby chassis or upgraded them with a CD motor kit. Cab detail is a problem for the motorised end as there is no room around the motor for a cab.

[@vikingsmb]

the extra pickup lima fitted, i've removed them on mine as found them to cause more pickup issues, since i've removed them no issues with locos and they run better

[@Mike-kc8rl]

Lima were quick to produce mods they also left Hornby in the dark when ot came to knocking out ! Locos ? The 31 was a wonderful model and a brave one considering Hornby had that one covered! They, of course, soon lost all sales to Lima on it! I had this very model of the 31,I believe it was a beatties release at the time although others may have had it? They always came with the hand rails on a sprue as I seem to remember? I always loved the Lima cheapo looking pancake motor and never had one fail ! Loved seeing Pheonix rising from the ashes to see another life! And I would keep it too if I was in your position!

[@uklongbow]

Hi Bill,if you need thin wire(hand rails,etc) check on ebay for vaping wire, you can get Kanthal or Stainless steel in varoius gauges, £3-£4 for 10 meters. :) keep up the great videos. Roger

[@marklittlejohn1457]

A nice looking model good to see it restored and running thankyou for the tips and video

[@tezza72uk49]

Good job, that runs super smooth! Class 31 one of my favourites.

[@jbrailways]

I have a Lima GWR railcar No.22 and I fitted extra pickups to the non driven boogie plus a DCC chip and serviced the motor and it runs very well. Thanks for sharing.

[@modelrailroader5619]

Nice! Dress-makers pins, eh? Good idea, I have always used old guitar strings. That’s a great looking model, thanks for sharing.🇨🇦

[@chrismidgley8428]

Pity that one didn’t go on eBay! Had a Triang “freightmaster”set 50 odd years ago! Do love the class 31s. Well done on a fantastic overhaul.

[@russellbenton2987]

Severe fluffage . Mankie brush . Love it

[@maltnz]

Got one of your pinion pullers - they are cheap as but work brilliantly.

[@peternorris6438]

Another good repair

[@bigmac60]

A nice job. Sounds really smooth

[@jimflagg4009]

Thanks again. Keep on saving trains.

[@andrewrice6596]

Lovely looking loco Bill. Such a shame Lima never attempted to fit any cab detail. Having said that, i like them all the same and i own quite a few now.

[@k8vnl]

Got the airfix class 31.Its noisy but I love it.

[@nicholasbishop3300]

Lovely job Bill Nick Australia

[@johnmassey7687]

great video once again do you remember which one had the CD motor conversion ??

[@platformten5958]

Hi Bill. Is it my eyesight or is there a hook missing on one of the couplers? Apart from that, nice touch regarding the dress-maker's pins for handles. Paul. 👌

[@Northerner_Transport_Hub]

Hey Bill have you ever considered getting a pair of 20s for the layout? I reckon they'd look great.

[@eugeniomarins2936]

Dear Sir, I wonder if it would be possible to remagnetise a ring magnet, as i have seen, in your videos, so many motors benefit from a stronger field. Cheers from very ashamed Brazil!

[@PeterJewell2]

My understanding is that ring magnets do not lose potency over time, unless the motor is overheated, so there is no need to routinely re-magnetise them. Also, I'm not sure how you would do it, anyway. I did ask this question of Ron Dodd (who makes the remagnetisers) and didn't get a conclusive answer -- he basically told me that they didn't need it!

[@PeterJewell2]

Also see Bill's reply to a very similar question!

[@eugeniomarins2936]

@@PeterJewell2 Thanks!

[@johngibson4641]

Hi Bill ,, Do you know what the red diamonds on the yellow background mean that are painted on the sides of the loco's. Ive seen them on a lots of brittish loco's before but never what are there intended purpose ? Also what in the heck is that other over sized bus looking thing on the inside track ? Ive never seen 1 before and to be honest i dont think I want to. haha Cheers from John in Australia.

[@TheAntisocialTrain]

That is a British Rail Park Royal Railbus. They used to be used for small branch lines all over the place

[@johngibson4641]

@@TheAntisocialTrain Hi there thanks for the info. They sure look different hey. Do you have any idea what the red diamonds on the yellow background are by any chance ? Cheers from John in Australia

[@TheAntisocialTrain]

@@johngibson4641 it's part of the livery. The diamonds denote what sort of freight it used to carry. Called sectorisation over here and the livery appeared about the late 80s. I have no idea what the diamonds actually denote though unfortunately

[@22whizzo56]

Hi Bill, Re Class 31 handrails - the holes are not out of alignment - one handrail on each door is curved at the top, as on the original locos. I have found over the years that 99% of Lima locomotives always run better, and slightly faster, if the motor bogie is leading. I have a Lima HO model of a Krauss Maffei Diesel Hydraulic, its basically a large Warship which doesn't pull as it should, I think its all wheel drive, but only works at one end now, and makes some very odd noises. Any chance of you having a look at it for me please? Best Regards Steve.

[@TREASURERDYAC]

why do Triang and Hornby motors have a resistor and what happens if remove it? will the motor suffer?

[@oobill]

It's a suppressor not a resistor which is to help reduce radio interference with certain appliances like TVs. Not the issue it was years ago. Loco will run fine without one.

[@HowardSchlesinger]

Hi Bill what size are the 2 bolts on the Ringfield motor

[@oobill]

The heads fit a 3mm spanner

[@stuew6]

I own a Lima class 33 .