So glad you got that American loco working ,love these repair videos , think your the only guy showing in-depth N gauge repair/servicing on you tube . Keep up the good work
Hi, thanks for looking in and your very kind comments. I'm sure others are doing n gauge repairs, as well. But thanks anyway. When I found the F7 on ebay, I hadn't been aware that TRIX produced US outline locos so it was a present surprise, especially as I found two within a short space of time! Take care, cheers, Jim L
Great information. I've got an identical e-bay purchase that needs some work. Mine seems to suffer from slipping somewhere along the drive train. At least I have a firm handle on disassembly now. Thanks.
Hi, thanks for looking in. I'm glad you find my video helpful. I like the sturdiness of Minitrix. The slipping could be due to the 'U' bracket on the drive shaft from the motor; just give it a good press back on. This should cure the 'slipping'. Take care, Jim L
@@SoRTs6233 ,indeed that would prove to be more or less correct with mine. Both U brackets on mine however where slipping on the worm gear shafts and one had slid down the shaft preventing interlock with the motor. So,...I repositioned the U bracket and having made sure the work area was clean and free of oil I very judiciously applied super glue. After a little cleaning and light oil it's a nice quiet little runner!
I bought the Penn Central loco back in 1982! My brother recently found it and sent it to me. I am really happy to have found your video here and plan to clean mine up per your lead! A question, have you done any work on this/this type where you add DCC to it? I would be keen to learn that aspect as well. Thanks again for the great video! Know you can...John
Hi John, thanks for your encouraging comments and I'm only glad I'm able to help. As for n-gauge DCC, I'd recommend Eric at 'Watchtrains Now' who features DCC fitting into n-gauge locos. Hope you find it useful. Meanwhile, take care. Cheers, Jim L
Absolutely love these videos and was amazed how similar in internal design the F7 was to a minitrix class 27 minus the directional lighting. Keep up the great work and saving these charming vintage locos. Maybe you could do the same with rolling stock in another video one day. It would be nice to see a video on how many you have saved/restored. Vintage n gauge is very much my thing and I too have taken inspiration from you and saved and restored a good 20+ over the the past several years
Hi Wayne, nice to hear from you. Thanks for letting me know that I am helping others like yourself, repair their own rolling stock. I have made a couple of videos on freight boxcars, but generally, I concentrate on locos. Will you be showing any of your repairs? Cheers, Jim L
La verdad que usted lo enseña divinamente. Una pregunta, solo repara para usted o se le pueden enviar locomotoras para que las repare? muchas gracias por sus videos.
Hi Jim, thanks for your videos. Certainly enjoy watching and learning so much from you, thank you. Have started repairing some old n gauge I've aquired over the years. Mainly Graham Farish and Dapol. Limited success but enough to keep me motivated and such a great feeling when you get one working well. Know that feeling when all seems to be working until you reassemble the whole thing. Frustrating but fun. Thanks again and please keep up your great work. Was that a sneaky look at your face when you were testing on the track, poster on the wall? Cheers from NZ and stay safe. Kia kaha, James
failte gu Alba, James and 'stay strong'! Thanks for the encouragement and kind comments (and for subbing!). It's good to know I have helped many owners take confidence in trying their own repairs. It's a terrific sensation to make a non-runner go! Wishing you well with your n-gauge. Yes, that's me on the wall! I am standing next to the 'Canadian' while on holiday in Canada. My wife and I journeyed across Canada by train (4 days and nights) in 2009. What a journey! Keep in touch re-your trains, catch you later. Jim L
Greetings Jim, Can these soldered Mintrix brushes be replaced/repaired? If not the loco lasts as long as the current set of brushes. Other Minitrix have 'cubic' brushes probably replaceable by filing down Marklin's brush for their drum commutator. This leaves unanswered the question of whether the specs of the respective brushes match???? We don't want overheating. Similarly, I wonder if it is possible to recharge the magnets of these decades old motors - a weakened magnet is not part of the manufacturer's spec. Enjoyed your video. Thanks. PT
So glad you got that American loco working ,love these repair videos , think your the only guy showing in-depth N gauge repair/servicing on you tube . Keep up the good work
Hi, thanks for looking in and your very kind comments. I'm sure others are doing n gauge repairs, as well. But thanks anyway. When I found the F7 on ebay, I hadn't been aware that TRIX produced US outline locos so it was a present surprise, especially as I found two within a short space of time! Take care, cheers, Jim L
Great information. I've got an identical e-bay purchase that needs some work. Mine seems to suffer from slipping somewhere along the drive train. At least I have a firm handle on disassembly now. Thanks.
Hi, thanks for looking in. I'm glad you find my video helpful. I like the sturdiness of Minitrix. The slipping could be due to the 'U' bracket on the drive shaft from the motor; just give it a good press back on. This should cure the 'slipping'. Take care, Jim L
@@SoRTs6233 ,indeed that would prove to be more or less correct with mine. Both U brackets on mine however where slipping on the worm gear shafts and one had slid down the shaft preventing interlock with the motor. So,...I repositioned the U bracket and having made sure the work area was clean and free of oil I very judiciously applied super glue. After a little cleaning and light oil it's a nice quiet little runner!
I bought the Penn Central loco back in 1982! My brother recently found it and sent it to me. I am really happy to have found your video here and plan to clean mine up per your lead! A question, have you done any work on this/this type where you add DCC to it? I would be keen to learn that aspect as well. Thanks again for the great video! Know you can...John
Hi John, thanks for your encouraging comments and I'm only glad I'm able to help. As for n-gauge DCC, I'd recommend Eric at 'Watchtrains Now' who features DCC fitting into n-gauge locos. Hope you find it useful. Meanwhile, take care. Cheers, Jim L
@@SoRTs6233 Thanks for the reply and reco, Jim. Wishing you an awesome 2023, esp w your new layout adventure ahead!
Absolutely love these videos and was amazed how similar in internal design the F7 was to a minitrix class 27 minus the directional lighting. Keep up the great work and saving these charming vintage locos. Maybe you could do the same with rolling stock in another video one day. It would be nice to see a video on how many you have saved/restored. Vintage n gauge is very much my thing and I too have taken inspiration from you and saved and restored a good 20+ over the the past several years
Hi Wayne, nice to hear from you. Thanks for letting me know that I am helping others like yourself, repair their own rolling stock. I have made a couple of videos on freight boxcars, but generally, I concentrate on locos.
Will you be showing any of your repairs? Cheers, Jim L
Nicely done Jim , that was an interesting one to work on
All the best Martin 👍
Thanks Martin. Keep safe. Jim L
this whole video was a fascinating watch. thank you.
Thanks for commenting and your encouraging reaction. Cheers, Jim L
La verdad que usted lo enseña divinamente. Una pregunta, solo repara para usted o se le pueden enviar locomotoras para que las repare? muchas gracias por sus videos.
Hi Jim, thanks for your videos. Certainly enjoy watching and learning so much from you, thank you. Have started repairing some old n gauge I've aquired over the years. Mainly Graham Farish and Dapol. Limited success but enough to keep me motivated and such a great feeling when you get one working well. Know that feeling when all seems to be working until you reassemble the whole thing. Frustrating but fun. Thanks again and please keep up your great work. Was that a sneaky look at your face when you were testing on the track, poster on the wall? Cheers from NZ and stay safe. Kia kaha, James
failte gu Alba, James and 'stay strong'! Thanks for the encouragement and kind comments (and for subbing!). It's good to know I have helped many owners take confidence in trying their own repairs. It's a terrific sensation to make a non-runner go! Wishing you well with your n-gauge.
Yes, that's me on the wall! I am standing next to the 'Canadian' while on holiday in Canada. My wife and I journeyed across Canada by train (4 days and nights) in 2009. What a journey!
Keep in touch re-your trains, catch you later. Jim L
Greetings Jim,
Can these soldered Mintrix brushes be replaced/repaired? If not the loco lasts as long as the current set of brushes. Other Minitrix have 'cubic' brushes probably replaceable by filing down Marklin's brush for their drum commutator. This leaves unanswered the question of whether the specs of the respective brushes match???? We don't want overheating. Similarly, I wonder if it is possible to recharge the magnets of these decades old motors - a weakened magnet is not part of the manufacturer's spec. Enjoyed your video. Thanks.
PT