Hi, I am currently remotoring my C&S 74 hon3 balboa locomotive. Its old motor was very boxy (I think it's the original) and the only thing it could power was the headlight, it was not able to run the locomotive. Does anyone have suggestions on what a good replacement motor would be, I would like it to be able to power the headlight too. Also the front pilot has no area to install a coupler. Also, I replaced the trucks on my Key C&S #9 tender and now the locomotive no longer runs, I tried reinstalling the old but it still didn't work, prior to this it was the best engine in my fleet of three. The trackwork on my layout is nearly done and I need a reliable engine to test it (I was hoping for the C-19 to be out by now). Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks, Alex
Have you considered one of the flat can motors from Micro Mark? They also sell a brass flywheel for it: FLAT CAN MOTOR You could also try upgrading your engine to dcc to use those headlights. -Alex
You probably have the trucks on backwards on your #9. The tender trucks on brass models pick up power on one side of the rails and the engine picks up the other, get them on the same side and it wont run, get one right and one wrong on the tender and you get a short. take both trucks and turn them around and try again. The motor in the Balboa is probably locked up from years of no use. Try turning the motor with your fingers, then put power to it after oiling the bearings. If no good, go over to the locodoc/roundbell website. He specializes in repowering these models and has kits/motors to get them going again. Might not be the easiest job, so if you feel its beyond your means, seek help rather than mess up a brass engine. If you need help, feel free to PM me as I do this kind of work on the side to help me support my train hobby. Good Luck Mike T
Also keep in mind that the worm gear set up in your C&S engine is known, atleast according to the locodoc website to be a high wear area, with the only option being a whole new gearbox and axle gear, requiring a major teardown, requarting of drivers ect. A major job best left to a pro, even I dont mess with those. I have a Westside NCNG 9 2-8-0 that uses the same drive. The previous owner had a can motor installed, it runs well and I just keep the gear oiled good and watch it for wear. The motor in mine is a Japanese brand I have never heard of before, single shaft motor. It does stick out of the cab a bit but being black painted, it blends in ok. Thats the biggest issue with older brass narrow gauge engines, espcialy the smaller ones with little room for a motor. My Balboa K36 has loads of room for a can motor, but my little Ken Kidder mogul has very little room. If you need my help to remotor the C&S engine, shoot me a pvt message. Mike
