Nigel Burbidge
Yes, I would second John’s suggestion. I have converted a number of Hornby locos to EM using the methods suggested by Pete Hill in his conversion sheets (some on the society website and some on the Alan Gibson website). He recommends replicating the knurling with a coarse file on the axle and it has worked on the conversions I have completed. I would also echo the comments on twisting the gear off the Hornby axle.