Hornby J15 conversion

[Membership SecretaryKeymaster]

Hi. I am a very new member attracted by the Society’s new scale track and turnouts. Having been railway modelling for 30 yrs I know that I can model buildings and,scenery, construct wagons and coaches, paint and weather track, locomotives,rolling stock and figures and,just about, handle the electrics. What I am not is an engineer. Track and loco building involve black arts that I have never managed to master. I have a Hornby J15 which has been working well for some time and would be grateful to find someone to convert it to EM for me. I have found and read the conversion Instructions on this site but sadly would not really know how to start. Can anyone help? Obviously I expect to pay.. Martin Sutor

[Bob AllisonParticipant]

Martin,
Hopefully someone will be willing to accept a commision for your J15.

In the long term though, conversion of these small 0-6-0s is more a matter of confidence than engineering. A George Watts quartering jig, a set of Gibson wheels and Gibson washers (to reduce the holes in the coupling rods) and you are away.
I would urge you to attend the nearest EMGS area group meeting and let them know in advance that you are hoping for some guidance on RTR conversion – more than likely someone will bring along a sample or three for you to study. Also, it would be very unusual if there wasn’t a demonstation on this topic at the next Scaleforum/ExpoEM.

It really isn’t about engineering, unless you want it to be.

Regards,
Bob

[Membership SecretaryKeymaster]

Thanks Bob
That’s very encouraging. I’ll wait for a week or so and then have a go. If that works I will try a Model Rail J70 !!

Regards.
Martin

[Dai DaviesParticipant]

I agree with what Bob said on the previous reply. But if you are definitely moving your loco to EM, you may as well get an Em wheel gauge, and pull out the wheels on their axles. I don’t know the J50 particulars, but this has worked on other Hornby locos and can be a good short-term fix. Some people keep it as a long-term fix!

[Membership SecretaryKeymaster]

Many thanks to both. It works!
Martin

[Ray BydeParticipant]

@David Davies said:
I agree with what Bob said on the previous reply. But if you are definitely moving your loco to EM, you may as well get an Em wheel gauge, and pull out the wheels on their axles. I don’t know the J50 particulars, but this has worked on other Hornby locos and can be a good short-term fix. Some people keep it as a long-term fix!  

[Bob AllisonParticipant]

Martin.
Excellent news that you have got it to work – there should be no holding you back now.
Alan Gibson’s website contains instructions for converting a number of proprietary locos to EM – they are a bit more detailed than the EMGS manual sheets so may be useful. You can find them in the Download section.

Regards,
Bob

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