Looking for a motor for a Rivarossi 2-8-4 Berkshire. I seen what microlocomotion has to offer, very cool but pricey! Any other ideas out there? Thanks for any info! Regards, Brock Joubarne
Ah that one. Is it seized? The magnets swollen in the housing? I know I don't have one like that with the long shaft I may have the motor but for the atlas 0-8-0's or similar. But I'll check and see as it has the short shaft with half a joint on the 1 end, but may be able to use the housing if that's the problem. It may be from an old RR I'm not sure, I'll see if I can look thru my stuff Saturday.
Looks like the same motor used in the Concor/Rivarossi and Rowa 2-8-8-2 and 2-8-8-0 and I believe they had the long shaft like this one. So that may help in the search.
Yep, I believe you are correct! The Motor I have is just completely junk! The armature is worn solid! I would replace it with another motor, does not have to be stock! Any ideas...
I ran across this link on repairing Rivarossi motors that may be of some help. http://www.irwinsjournal.com/a1g/a1glocos/motors.html
I saw a few motors a guy was selling on ebay a few years ago that were a different brand but with better running features, they had long shafts he even offered to install them in your loco
The Rivarossi can motor came in several configurations. The can is the same in all of them but the plastic cap and shaft/gear lengths are different depending on the application. Adapting one application to another almost certainly involves gear pulling and relocating or shaft cutting. For instance, the motor for the Big Boys or Challengers is very similar to the motor in your photo. The larger brass collar is there around the original motor bearing housing but the gear is not located the same distance from the motor proper and the shaft extends beyond the gear for the drive to the front loco drivers. Even if you find a good can with a good ring magnet structure, you still need to pull the gear off to install the armature into the new can. Of course, if the armature is ruined too, the point is pretty much moot. It's a bummer but such is the case with dealing with old model locos. Doug
I was able to source a new can motor for this Steamer! Thanks for all the ideas and help! This is a great forum, very informative and great help! Regards, Brock Joubarne
Good deal! The Berkshire from Rivarossi was originally imported by MRC and made by Rowa. When MRC stopped selling N scale and Rowa went bankrupt, Rivarossi got the tooling but had to modify the chassis with their own motor and replace the plastic driving gear with metal. Doug
let us know what motor you got and what you had to do to it I just was given a couple of berks and I would like to get them running, so would everyone else
Yes I will share my good fortune, when I get home from work I will show you what I have came up with! Regards, Brock Joubarne Belair
This is what I settled on! All I have to do is some small cleaning of the chassis cradle! Hope this helps, the worm is from an Atlas Mikado which fits perfectly for the Berkshire! No more long shaft, more direct connection... Picked up the Berkshire for $20 CDN Picked Up an Atlas Mikado for $15 CDN Took parts from the Mikado to make a great Berkshire, plus with an upgraded Can motor... Again thanks for all the help and Links! Very cool stuff, really like resurrecting an old classic model!
You'll likely be a while lot better off with your new motors. I've been messing around with two old Rivarossi 4-6-2s lately and the motors were seemingly produced in an era between the discovery of fire and invention of the wheel.