what the best motor?

[zuicey227]

What are generally the best motors for HO trains and can i upgrade the motor, I have the FA2 CN diesel with sound, it says it has the 1600 HSP model 244?

[zuicey227]

just wondering if there is more information on the types of motors and where i can find this info. thanks.

[jonathan]

For modern equipment, each manufacturer's motor is made to fit in the space allowed.  The days of swapping out/upgrading motors are becoming fewer and fewer. Mostly, they are all good motors, in comparison to the old open frame, or pancake, motors of days gone by.

Having written that, there are still a few places that sell motors, mostly for working on older models.

Check out "Yardbird" Classic Trains, Northwest Shoreline (NWSL), or Fallbaugher (sp) to name a few.

I only look for motors if I'm working on an old Cast metal, or brass model.  When it come to modern equipment, the juice is not worth the squeeze.

Regards,

Jonathan

[Steve Magee]

To misquote an old speed equipment adage, efficiency costs money, how efficient do you want to be.

In addition to the Faulharber mentioned by Johnathon, there is also the Portescap range:

http://www.portescap.com/category-brush-dc.html

The improvements by using a high efficiency brushless/coreless motor are incremental, but given the small size of our models it is often worth chasing them.

PS - they are NOT cheap

Cheers

Steve Magee
Newcastle NSW Aust

[jward]

the "motor" you made reference to is the diesel engine used in the real fa2: the alco 244, rated at 1600 horsepower. the sound file in the decoder simulates this engine, and rather well i might add.

this has absolutely nothing to do with the motor which actually powers the model.

[richg]

the "motor" you made reference to is the diesel engine used in the real fa2: the alco 244, rated at 1600 horsepower. the sound file in the decoder simulates this engine, and rather well i might add.

this has absolutely nothing to do with the motor which actually powers the model.

lol

[JerryB]

I would stick with the "1600 HSP model 244 diesel," especially if you like the performance, sound and fuel consumption!

<<Just making a joke!!>>

Before anyone can make a model motor (or re-powering) recommendation, we would need to know why you want to "upgrade" your existing motor.

Maybe you need to change motors, or maybe there are other operational or equipment problems that need to be addressed.

Happy Ring,

Jerry