Can We Make This 1950s HO Train Collection Run After 40 Years?

[@BlueFoxCellars]

Thank you for getting my in to the hobby

[@hughjarrett4736]

Great repair video, Harrison! It’s amazing how you got those engines to work! Really like the countdown and the phone call.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@MrBnsftrain]

23:55 the front bogie on that locomotive actually goes on the tank engine, which is a 4MT. There were coupler adapter wagons between the Dublo couplers and the more conventional couplers used in Britian. You should replace the missing couplers on that fish van with tri-ang style couplers

[@SMTMainline]

Yeah I noticed that after...

[@brigitteschwedhelm8631]

Wow! Super video! Great repair work Harry! Really enjoyed your phone call with the son of the previous owner. A nice extra touch!

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks, I thought that would be unique.

[@FrankC321]

Harrison, we have a heartbeat! Your years of experience really shows. Bringing life back into these vintage locomotives. I like seeing the Green one at the end run. I've got a Cardiff Castle Wren from my youth. It works well. Cleaned the wheels and track. I'd like to do the motor cleaning but I totally don't want to break it.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks. This one was a bit different but I'm pleased with the results.

[@EliKunzler123]

By the way to pronounce it it’s sir Nigel Grizzley on the blue train. It’s called Mallard.😊

[@williamsantangelo]

Great Harrison a model trains best friend, you always seem to fix em! Happy Railroading

[@SMTMainline]

I sure try, thank you!

[@newhavenrails1234]

Alright Harrison time to make a AC layout with your new stuff it's a must

[@al7857]

But it is dc, its like trix-express

[@williamstrausner9063]

Well done Harrison!! You are certainly a mechanic who is also an excellent teacher of how to use parts to make repairs. Al from PA

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@modelrailroader5619]

Those old British train sets are built like tanks! Great job on the restoration.

[@RobertKitchell]

Love the use of the machine screws for the brushes pretty ingenious there Harrison

[@SMTMainline]

It's nice that you can apply as much tension as needed for the springs.

[@Frecciarossa-wk1rk]

Hy, Harrison! Beautiful video and trains. In the past I've seen some of those train on display in the toy-museum in Edinbugh, and seeing them working again is such a beautiful thing. Old Hornby-Triang trains are so reliable, they only need some work behind them, according to what the curator of the museum said. They also said that it is possible to convert them to 2 rail system with minors actions, but I didn't remember how. Greetings from Italy. Carlo.

[@SMTMainline]

I might try that

[@williamsquires3070]

Hi Harrison. I think the blue locomotive is an A3/A4, while the black one is a 14XX Pannier Tank, though you should show it to Sam (of Sam’s Trains YT channel); he knows his British locomotives way better than I do. 😅

[@itsthebeaushow3584]

Its an ivatt tank the black one.

[@sergioarroyoguerrero5434]

Nice trains collection of 1950. Make run, 40 years after.

[@Living_Life_RN]

Hey Harrison. If I remember correctly, I may have a spare Hornby Dublo tinplate Sir Nigel Gresley in storage that you could potentially have as a spares donor. I think when it was put away the chassis was starting to crumble from zinc pest, however I think it did have a good set of wheels with all of the rods and bits still intact and the body shell was reasonable too. If you’re interested I may be able to send it to you, if I can find it in the first place!

[@eddiejoe5928]

You are definitely the Macgyver of model trains!!!!!!

[@SMTMainline]

Kinda so lol

[@hyuga571]

I like these videos of old Model trains that haven't run in some years or longer and seeing them spring back to live is like you bring back an old legend of an old Era, but I wonder can I get some tips on how to start a model train set because I want to start getting model trains but I don't have much of a idea to take care of them

[@SMTMainline]

A starter set is a good way to get the hang of it. Other than that I would make a list of everything you want before building something.

[@JerseyBill-x9r]

That was something definitely different. When you first look at the locomotives, I did not think that you would get both running but I was wrong. The use of the screws, probably 1/2" 8-32s, and Athearn springs was inspired. The bonus locomotive looked good in the end, but you had to use the front wheel set from the black locomotive that is a 2-6-4 tank/tender engine. The methodical testing of the track lead to success of the project and the best part was letting the family member know that his father's train equipment was in good hands and maybe a little famous. I hope he gets to watch this with other family members. Great video, Jersey Bill

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks Bill. I wasn't sure myself but it turned out to be fairly straight forward.

[@peperonikiller]

Another vintage set brought back from the dead! Amazing job!

[@mercuryoak2]

Good job on thw repairs. I remember seeing locomotives similar to this at the Amherst train show last year. There was actually a train group from Germany that was there bunch of dealers had a lot of stuff like the ones you have

[@normancoreyBuildingTrains]

Nice job. Love watching you get old stuff running again.

[@TheFloridaRailfan]

I recently got my grandads old train set from when he was a kid, miraculously it ran fine.

[@SMTMainline]

That's great to hear. If it was stored in a cool dry location that would help preserve it.

[@keepamericayisraelgreat5708]

WOW!! great job SMT, I have an old train from UK that runs and I too need to set -up the track and run it, after I move some others persons stuff off the table, Thanks again.

[@SMTMainline]

Sounds great

[@ToddmattandySchumann]

Nice work! Like seeing the old stuff run.

[@SMTMainline]

More to come!

[@mtoe-mythoughtsoneverythin2548]

Its the little things you do that make me like this channel more and more,Learning history and letting people there things live on. It clearly means something to them. Great work, long may it continue. Thanks.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks, that's what this is all about.

[@BrockRuby]

Very nice subject Harrison!! Like to see what you will do with this. Always great to see subjects that are not from the US. Very neat trains n cars. Keep it up!! Enjoyed lots!!

[@SMTMainline]

Yep. Shaking things up a bit for this one.

[@andrewwillard5625]

Always a treat to learn some new tips and tricks for getting these old gems running again love you Harrison.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks, I try to share what I can.

[@liamparker928]

Great video love my old hornby dublo 3 rail trains Recently been servicing them

[@gordonlong3095]

Excellent work again, Harrison. I *love* seeing your work on these older units, and/or the European locos, as much as I love watching you work on the more common North American post 1970 manufacturers locos such as Tyco, Lifelike, Bachmann, AHM, Athearn, etc. I grew up with Lionel 027 equipment, so I enjoyed seeing you running on the three rail track. If you decide to setup a regular 3-rail layout, for both AC and DC, I know I would enjoy watching those videos. (Besides, it would give you a place to test and run any future Hornby or Marklin or other makers of 3-rail equipment that you might acquire.) And maybe if you made an actual layout, you could perhaps use European buildings on it to reflect these being Euro trains. Thanks for yet another great video!

[@az80311]

I was really impressed with the job you did on these locos. It is always so much fun to see them come to life and run around the track. You make an excellent video Harfrison.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you very much!

[@tammylovescats]

Awesome Job on fixing the train set.

[@cowza3]

What a brilliant episode..Thank you Harrison for going to the effort to make these loco's live once more...the Mallard is one of the most beautiful steam engines ever made..it would be amazing to see it fully restored one day back to it's former glory...well done mate!!!

[@SMTMainline]

Many thanks!

[@a_midland_engine]

The dublo/wrenn castle class has been a model I’ve been looking to get for a while now, preferably the 2 rail variant. The great western is one of my favorite railway

[@SMTMainline]

Good choice

[@dansmodelrailways7886]

The black tank loco is a British Railways Standard 4 tank. They had tender versions too. Excellent loco’s and a few preserved running in the UK

[@Cloud_Shire_82]

when my track gets a bad spot on my ho stuff i take a very very fine file and remove all the oxidisation also crosshatching the rail in the process which helps to give engines without traction tires just that bit more grip after which i proceed to whip it down with memory cloth to remove the fien metal particals or you can just run a locomotive over it and get some cool spark effects 1 or 2 times around

[@DoubleX8620]

Amazing stuff. You got an London, North Eastern Railway A4, a British Railways Standard Class 4 tank engine and a Great Western Castle. The A4 has the older style horseshoe magnet which is something only the earlier models have. I assume it's pre-WW2. The Class 4 tank has the modern magnet inside. I have the Castle and the tank but as two rail versions. After the demise of Hornby Dublo the Wrenn company has continued to produce these models until the 1990s but slightly modernized and with the Hornby tension lock coupling. I have the Wrenn version of the tank engine and the original Dublo and Wrenn Castle. They are lovely models. They feel quality and they are mightily powerful. 30 wagons no problem. I love them, but I never got the old three rail ones as it would require me getting track too. These locos are pretty much invincible, at least the motor. There are bits that fall off but at the very least they run with a bit of love and oil. What a great restauration👍

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks for all the info!

[@hillbillyrailfan]

Im always impressed with the way you get all these classics going.

[@vehicles_n_stuff]

It would be really cool to see you doing more 3 rail/ac powered projects! It might even be worth doing a layout build for.

[@jackstrains4468]

Great stuff Harrison! Those british style locos and rolling stock are old hornby dublo 3 rail stock- the best of its kind in the UK in the 50s or so... the third rail was an easier method of picking up power from the track than engineering a way to isolate the wheels from eachother like in modern locos, or so I'm told! Hope this helps :)

[@gordonrutherford916]

Hi from new zealand the black 2-6-4 tank and green Castle class locos were my first two owned in 1960's in England never had any problems with them my younger brother also played with them as did my father in later years when he retired look forward to more videos

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks for the info!

[@the44thcosmic_galaxy25]

You have a gift when it comes to fixing things

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@4everdc302]

A sub chapter in the British section of the SMT Manual. Well done, Harrison🚂🇨🇦🇬🇧

[@SMTMainline]

This would be one of the most niche chapters lol.

[@rickyking3333]

I like that you take the time to fix up these old locomotives an rolling stock most ppl would just toss them or deem them to a life of back ground scenery.an it’s awesome you contacted the original owner an got the back story an was able to share the video to them of the trains working again.I like your content an how you show what you are doing to make the repairs an the opening of the boxes i get probably just as exited as you are to see what’s in the box!😂

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks, it's a lot of fun working on these things.

[@FrightNight47]

I like the British locomotives that you have in your collection. It is just kinda cool to see some trains I don't see usually see.. Love the videos by the way!!!

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you very much!

[@frankkie3849]

Nicely done,,thanks for sharing,,😊

[@ATDCC_Colby]

3 rail HO/OO is always quite interesting to see, I’d never want to dive into it, but it would be cool to see more on your channel.

[@SMTMainline]

The three rail track certainly brings its own world of issues but it is interesting.

[@warriorstar2517]

The tank engine is supposed to have a pair of leading wheels as well, but it seems as though they were long gone when they were donated.

[@khtrains]

Harrison put the 4MT's leading wheels on the Castle class....

[@SMTMainline]

I mixed them up but that can be fixed easily.

[@Morganstein-Railroad]

One small thing - The two wheel bogie (Truck) from the set was from the 4MT Loco. It looks a Little odd without it. I know you used it on the green loco, but they had a four wheel lead truck. it looks like a castle class loco, whick had a 4-6-0 wheel arrangement.

[@1999Valkyrie]

Harrison, I christen thee "The Locomotive Whisperer!" Well done!

[@SMTMainline]

Thankee Thankee

[@SebastianDonaldson-uu9ng]

SMT Mainline i wish you one day hit 1-10 million subs,far stretch but i believe in you!

[@frankblasio8178]

Just love your videos can’t get enough of them! Good job Harrison 🎉

[@tripwire3992]

also i caught that very locomotive on my channel it was on a railtour the "Sir Nigel Gresely"

[@RichardEKranz]

Excellent vid.

[@XBOXShawn12thman]

When I saw 1950's in the title my first thought was Hobbytown ... Those are really cool, I've never seen them before and you did an amazing job Harrison!!! 👍

[@Seth-ov6ww]

There are quite a few nice uk locomotives in there. I am British so it’s nice to see

[@louisbabyCT]

Hornby Dublo 3 rail, right up my alley. Those both have Wrenn vertical motors, they are prone to magnet failure. Hence the low power

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks for the info!

[@robinbryde3038]

Great job, Harrison...I'm sure you made Ian happy getting the train cars and locos going again... would be nice if his father got to enjoy as well 😎👍

[@SMTMainline]

I hope so too

[@Heroduothecomedian]

That spare boogie wheel you added to the steam tender engine actually goes to the tank engine, I can't remember the class right off hand but that the engine is known as Arthur in Thomas the tank engine and friends. But another fantastic repair video as always. You never disappoint with them

[@khtrains]

Arthur was a 3MT, this one is a 4MT.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@JeffUr7]

interesting looking track

[@chevypower1993]

Amazing restoration. 😊

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@oskarvalance3041]

Very unusual set. Old but unusual. These old sets can be a lot of fun to work on. Kind of like working on an old classic car. Makes you wonder who bought this set when it was brand new and when was the last time it ran. But once they are up and running, it a very cool sight to see. The stories these old sets could tell. From Texas.

[@SMTMainline]

I find that interesting too. When you see something in poor shape it's difficult to imagine that at some point this was in a store being sold brand new to someone.

[@classic_britain]

Harrison I have been a viewer for a long time and I don't think you realise how lucky you are with that Ludlow castle when I saw it my jaw hit the floor I have collected Hornby Dublo 3 Rail for years and that is one of the rarest models you can get! Those were not made for very long and with that Ridgefield motor are worth a lot of money in good order mint ones have sold for well over £800 in the past and tidy running ones are worth £300 upwards I don't have one myself your a very very lucky boy and it's worth getting a original pickup and front pony truck for it!

[@SMTMainline]

I wasn't aware of that, thanks for sharing.

[@classic_britain]

@@SMTMainline No worries look after it!

[@adamspender6595]

Love it. Good one Harrison.

[@louisbabyCT]

One more thing Harrison, in the beginning while unpacking, you found a single axle bogie. That is for the front of the tank locomotive (black loco)

[@SMTMainline]

Good point.

[@bobburt4957]

The Hornby Dublo Sir Nigel Gresley set was my very first electric train set and was my 10th birthday present in 1952!

[@markostroff8845]

You sir, are a miracle worker!!

[@user-MotoTrains1974]

So amazing Harrison you are a wizz 🎉🎉

[@w.rustylane5650]

Serenity, we have a runner! Cheers from eastern TN

[@lotsatrains]

Wow you did such an amazing job by figuring out how to fix all of that stuff especially since it is quite foreign from your usual adventures. You never fail to impress me with your excellent work and fantastic videos 👍

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you very much!

[@lotsatrains]

@@SMTMainline 👍

[@DennisLora2001]

Fantastic fix and repair video SMT Mainline 👍❤❤ 12:01

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you Dennis

[@DennisLora2001]

@@SMTMainline You're welcome

[@ajivins1]

I have the black tank locomotive in its later, two rail guise. Lovely, heavy iron thing!

[@strobson1]

Great haul

[@johnd8892]

Years ago British kit makers used to use filed flatter code 100 rail for locomotive connecting rods, with holes drilled at exactly the right spacing for the wheel spacing. In case you cant find rods for your Blue Gresley A4. All the valve gear much harder to make.

[@SMTMainline]

That's great to know.

[@kenrobertson9048]

Hi Harrison, Another great video. The Hornby things were probably made about 6 miles away from me across the River Mersey in Liverpool UK. The factory now is well gone.

[@brucejones4512]

Hi Harrison,, that front wheel that u put on the green loco belongs to the front of the black tank loco,😂

[@Quince828]

Very interesting to see the old school mechanicals of these locomotives. It looks like you resurrected a well played with train that suffered some abuse in its lifetime. If it could talk you likely hear about how a young boy played endlessly with it.

[@SMTMainline]

Simplicity seems to be what saves most of these locomotives. The design doesn't mind of you add stuff that isn't suppose to be there.

[@garycook2355]

great video! History in action. It makes and old fart's heart feel all warm and fuzzy! 😎🚂

[@juliangerardcascio1111]

Good job !

[@neanderthal88]

I started having withdrawals.....its been two weeks. This was a great show as always really. In recent video you asked about folks' first train. Mine was in 1962, I was 7. It was a Marx steam train set. The loco didn't smoke but it had a method of sparking on the track with I first thought 'oh no!. But it apparently was designed that way to mimic the spit and fire from the real things. You're a unique young man. Carry on!

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you so much!

[@ianhaynes5898]

Only a little while ago I was trying to get a 3rail ‘Golden Fleece’ to go, an A4 like Sir Nigel. I cleaned it all up and it runs just fine now. I have a fair bit of that old 3 rail track and I have it running out in my garage with two original coaches.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks for sharing.

[@christophermondone6864]

great job well done

[@iliketrains-1515]

Märklin lokomotives can run also on DC 3 rail track... So simply takes the V200 and put IT on to This track and Have fun

[@khtrains]

They can, you just lose the ability to change direction with the reversing unit.

[@johnb2696]

I loved seeing the read and grey Hornby Triang diesel unit. I have the same one (powered) sitting in box in my shed (not working) I've had it since I was a child and that would be at least 50 years and it was second then.

[@Petemonster62]

John - I think SMT made a repair video of it. SMT's video is titled "Tri-ang R55 Restoration, with a hidden secret from the 70's" - it is 16:31 in length.

[@ROBERTNABORNEY-jx5il]

To fix the sluggishness, I would suggest either remagnetizing the motors (there are shops that will do it for you - look em up on line) or, my favorite, install button type Supermagnets (ala Micromark) and adjust the number to suit. It may be worth your while to invest in a remagnetizer with all the work you do on old locos

[@railfanjackson4531]

The locomotive at 6:01 is a British Railways Standard Class 4 tank engine. Part of the BR’s standard series of locomotives designed by Robert Riddles throughout the 1950s to modernize the steam fleet and replace aging locos from pre-nationalization in 1948. The Standard Class 4s were based off of earlier 2-6-4Ts of the LMS designed by Charles Fairburn and were built between 1951 and 1956, with 155 produced in total. Today, 15 examples have been preserved.

[@Photoline1]

That Eldon power pack is from the mid-60s and powered slot car tracks. I had one until I sold my first model train collection 20+ years ago. It would be useful to power acessories, which is why I kept it.

[@SMTMainline]

I plugged it in and it was buzzing really loud so I don't know if everything was okay with it.

[@Morganstein-Railroad]

The Black UK loco is a 4MT. Very powerful for their size, these engines would run both passenger and freight services. The grey wagon is a cattle wagon (UK again and the snall box car is also UK). As for the coaches - well the two are also UK. The blue loco is an LNER A4 Pacific named after it's designer, Sir Nigel Gresley. He also designed the Coronation Scot Locomotive. Hope that info helps with identification. Best wishes, Harrison. Alan Morgan.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks for the info

[@terrier11newport]

The wheel set you put on the green steam locomotive is supposed to go on the br black 4mt tank I hope this helps kind regards from England

[@SMTMainline]

Yeah, I noticed that after the fact. It makes sense.

[@terrier11newport]

@@SMTMainline you did a very good job restoring them kind regards from England

[@sfm_ferguson5033]

BETTTTT GOAT VIDEO CANT WAIT TO WATCH IT ALL THE WAY THOUGH

[@Dapinkhat]

Love the video

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks

[@MistaOlivuh]

That Tank Engine is the BR Standard Class 4MT. I believe 154 of the class were built, and 15 have been preserved. I may be wrong on the amount built however

[@MistaOlivuh]

Turns out, 155 were built.

[@spitfire5257]

I had to dissemble my HO gauge layout today 😢 I still have my O Gauge layout up

[@SMTMainline]

I'm sorry to hear that.

[@Raul_MP]

I had a feeling of deja vu from the Larkspur video and I felt like I was rewatching it until I saw you were fixing the locomotives and that the video was uploaded one hour ago. Shame about the missing rods on the A4, an engine is usually not too hard to fix unless you're missing parts. Slight edit: At the end, you mentioned that the AC tracks can be modified to run in DC power, that is correct, excluding switches (At least with Marklin C Track), you simply cut a little piece of metal that bridges a connection, making a "Contact Track", and put the wires on the opposite ends of the track. (Yet again, I insist that I'm talking about modern track, I'm not sure how these would be wired up) it's mostly what I do when I need extra track since Marklin track is considerably cheaper and easier to find than Trix track (which is basically the same, just made to work on DC only) thanks to the fact that Marklin used to sell their steel C tracks on their "My World" range until 2014, and those sets usually gave you a full loop of track for 15-20€.

[@SMTMainline]

I hope I can find some replacements. It would look so much better with them. Thanks for the info!

[@HeavyTanker-vx4oq]

i hope you take the time to try and properly restore that A4. It would be great to see it restored, with all the rods and everything.

[@SMTMainline]

I'd like to but trying to find the parts is the challenge

[@johncloar1692]

On 80054 engine has a current limiting resistor and some other electrical noise suppression on it you will get more out of the motor if you bypass the resistor 500 ohms will limit the motor current. Hope this helps Thanks as always for the video Harrison.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks for the info!

[@xlthecoolguy-lz7uh]

Well, if it works, it works! Doesn't look perfect, nor does it have all the parts, but it runs! Nice job!

[@SMTMainline]

You don't need all the parts lol

[@ArcadiaJunctionHobbies]

Great repair again. I think the magnet is weak on the second loco.

[@tono6725]

Hey Harrison, not sure if you realised this as you have said you do not know as much about British stuff in the past, but that wheel set you said you put on the green steam loco at the end was actually for the tank engine (black engine)! Just letting you know because I noticed that at the end. Great job fixing them up though!

[@CMRailroadProductions]

Thank you for finally doing my video request! (: btw The A4 steam loco actually does have 2 tenders so it’s not an extra!

[@khtrains]

A4s never had two tenders. Flying Scotsman's 2nd tender was only added in preservation. No A1, A3 or A4 ran under LNER or BR ownership with two tenders.

[@CMRailroadProductions]

@@khtrainsthe A4 did. They made a second one. Just like in hornbys special edition thing it has 2

[@CMRailroadProductions]

@@khtrainsit’s they’re one:one limited edition one

[@SMTMainline]

Yeah, it was about time to put this one together.

[@MygrandpasTrain]

Yes! Tinplate train revival!

[@tracynation2820]

The Trix Twin system is cool. 💙 T.E.N.

[@al7857]

You mean trix-express?

[@tracynation2820]

The Trix Twin system was like Lionel O track with three rails, but in this case the two outside rails were connected to two different transformers, and the center rail was the common to both transformers, allowing you to operate two different trains at the same time. Locomotives picked up from one rail and returned to the center rail, and the axles and all rails were insulated, but only one side (Wheels) of a loco would pick up power, returning to the center (Common) rail through a roller or slider. More expensive locomotives had a switch to pick which side functioned, but you just turned the cheaper locomotives around to run on the other transformer. I still do this with my trolley wire and the two rails, making sure the trolley/electric loco is on the track the right way to allow two different DC transformers to be used, one a trolley or electric, one a diesel or steam loco, with the common rail (-) being the left rail as you head west and forward, the positive (+) being the right rail and the trolley wire, as you head west and forward. (On my layout) Makes it easy to double head a train with electrics, steam, and diesels on DC only. I have only heard Trix Express used for certain trains, not the complete outfit. 💙 T.E.N.