Lima Class 33 - Fitting extra pickups and new traction tyres

My very old Lima Class 33 wobbles from side to side when running at medium speed under load and stalls at low speeds on insulfrog points.....Can new traction tyres and additional pickups cure these problems?

[@railway187]

Great idea of adding pickups. I could advice adding extra weight above the non powered bogie - it makes the locomotive less jump, run smoother. Great video 👍

[@KV12543]

Thanks for your comments....the weight over the non powered bogie is a good idea...I may try it on a future conversion, Regards Keith

[@railway187]

@@KV12543 I use the 10 gram weights made for correcting car tyres. They are ideal for this purpose and quite cheap.

[@carolinecleaveley]

Thanks for that. just replaced traction tyres but will do the pickup modification too,

[@KV12543]

Glad it helped and hope the pickup modification works for you...it has made a lot of difference to a number of my models, Regards Keith

[@TheDaf95xf]

Nice tips for the old Lima class 33 👍🏻 A motor service wouldn’t go a miss and a look at those cog ⚙️ wheels getting any burrs off them for even more smooth running 🤩

[@KV12543]

I agree Stevie, a service is always a good idea for these old Lima motors. I didn't cover it as this video is about making improvements and it has been covered before - I always follow the excellent video advice by Mike from Model Railways Unlimited, Cheers Keith

[@jasonc9194]

Great video, I have 2 of these so so think I may do the pickup mod. Thanks for posting.

[@KV12543]

Thanks Jason.....my advice....have a go, it is easy and definitely worth it, Regards Keith

[@maxroberts1717]

More great work KV.👍

[@KV12543]

Cheers Max, .....see you soon, Keith

[@Finnertoncentralmodelrailway]

I'm always looking to improve my lima locos and this is one I'm sure to do thank you .

[@KV12543]

Glad to have been of help, Regards Keith

[@ScottishNSRailFan]

Interesting presentation

[@KV12543]

Glad you liked it, Keith

[@gs425]

I fitted pickups to the wheels with traction tyres too. You'd be surprised what difference it makes even though they only come into their own when the flanges touch the rail.

[@KV12543]

That's interesting, although because of the moulded gears there isn't much room for the pickups....I'm not sure my skills would be up to that, Regards Keith

[@davidbarnett8199]

Well having got some Lima diesels now, this is definitely i will look to do once i have the motors running smoothly.

[@KV12543]

Thanks David.....if you need any help on servicing Lima diesels have a look at Model Railways Unlimited. He does a great video showing you how, Regards Keith

[@iandouglas451]

very helpful

[@KV12543]

Glad you found it useful

[@simonthornton7882]

Hi Keith, what thickness of phosphor bronze strip would you recommend I buy? I'm all for smooth running. Really appreciate your easy to follow videos. Simon

[@KV12543]

I purchased a complete pick up kit from Eileen's Emporium as I wasn't sure what I might need. It contained phosphor bronze sheets 0.25 mm thick, Regards Keith

[@mikepetrieuk]

Have you thought about, or looked for, replacement geared axles? With the large weight, does it really need traction tyres? If not , extra pickups could be added to the driven bogie.

[@KV12543]

I must admit i had never thought about obtaining replacement geared axles....on my small layout I am quite OK with traction tyres once extra pick ups have been added to the trailing bogie but it may be something worth considering in future, thanks Keith

[@jeffbutler4067]

Hi can you please tell what size traction tyres I need for a Lima Express E 680 and a Lima H0 Diesel Locomotive Br 221 149-8 DB I have tried petersspares there reply was No we only make british outline lima diesel loco tyres which are way too small sorry . So is there are difference in models that run in Austrlia

[@KV12543]

I'm sorry I can't help....I only model UK prototypes, Regards Keith

[@johnjohn-wb6ud]

i joined to help you break 1000

[@KV12543]

Thanks John....it's amazing to think I have nearly 1000 subscribers, Regards Keith

[@johnjohn-wb6ud]

@@KV12543 i got like 17 im happy lol