Tennessee Jones Posted Monday at 11:07 Share Posted Monday at 11:07 Hi there. I recently saw a lot containing assorted vintage items on Ebay. One of the items was this chassis. I am familiar with many old vintage motors but I've never seen anything like this. What is this? Any ideas? Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cypherman Posted Monday at 14:47 Share Posted Monday at 14:47 Hi, Not sure but the motor might be from an early Scaletrix car. The coupling at what I assume is the rear is an old Triang Mk 2. The fitting is definitely the old Triang wagon style. The one with the split chassis. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nearholmer Posted Monday at 14:58 Share Posted Monday at 14:58 (edited) It’s a wound-field motor, as opposed to permanent magnet, and from the look of it I’d guess early post-war, which might point at something like Trix, or Maerklin as a source, but I also suspect that it’s a commercial product massively modified, so it might have started life with a permanent magnet. Edited Monday at 15:02 by Nearholmer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roythebus1 Posted Monday at 21:23 Share Posted Monday at 21:23 Looks a bit like a Romford armature in there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cypherman Posted Monday at 22:17 Share Posted Monday at 22:17 One thing I have noticed is that I think it is a 5 pole motor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dagworth Posted Monday at 22:24 RMweb Gold Share Posted Monday at 22:24 5 minutes ago, cypherman said: One thing I have noticed is that I think it is a 5 pole motor. I think it may be seven poles! Andi 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee Jones Posted Tuesday at 02:59 Author Share Posted Tuesday at 02:59 I love this forum! Thanks for all the replies. The motor sort of resembles a Romford Phantom but it's not. And yes it does look like it has seven poles. Maybe a Zenith? I dont understand how it could have ever run on a track as parts of the chassis seem to extend below the track line. However maybe that's just an illusion caused by the angle that the photograph was taken. I do remember a reference to Trix in the item description so maybe Trix-based. Cheers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nearholmer Posted Tuesday at 04:45 Share Posted Tuesday at 04:45 The overall construction is very intriguing. I think that the motor side-plates form the main structural member, and that there is a sub-frame to support each axle. Also, does that hole in one buffer beam support a lamp-holder, or could it be a tiny solenoid to operate a coupler? I can see something that looks as if it’s got wires to it, which possibly is meant to fit into the hole. Have you bought this contraption - I do hope so. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnson044 Posted Tuesday at 11:42 Share Posted Tuesday at 11:42 What a wonderful object! Someone has taken so much trouble with this. Possibly a loco was made purely from what was available in limiting circumstances. The buffer beams, as has been mentioned, look like they barely clear the rails. Yes- that does look like a bulb socket where the opposite end coupling might logically be- but yes- it could also be for an automatic coupler of some kind. I suspect the buffers are Tri-ang too- and maybe the wheels, with every other spoke sawn out? The axles indeed have no frame joining them. It has the feel of a very early 0-16.5 narrow gauge job- but very robust and maybe intended for some serious prolonged running on some kind of industrial exhibition diorama? A superb addition to a Cabinet of Curiosities! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nearholmer Posted Tuesday at 11:53 Share Posted Tuesday at 11:53 (edited) 11 minutes ago, Johnson044 said: maybe intended for some serious prolonged running on some kind of industrial exhibition diorama? That thought struck me too. The standard of workmanship is very high, and suggests a professional craftsman. Being wound-field it would be unidirectional, unless a reverser is included somewhere on it, and I’m thinking something like an NCB mine diorama with a continuous loop of track. Edited Tuesday at 11:54 by Nearholmer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee Jones Posted Tuesday at 12:25 Author Share Posted Tuesday at 12:25 No I didnt buy it unfortunately. I'm kicking myself now. Maybe the person who did will appear on this forum. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnson044 Posted Tuesday at 13:28 Share Posted Tuesday at 13:28 1 hour ago, Nearholmer said: That thought struck me too. The standard of workmanship is very high, and suggests a professional craftsman. Being wound-field it would be unidirectional, unless a reverser is included somewhere on it, and I’m thinking something like an NCB mine diorama with a continuous loop of track. Being unidirectional works with that being a headlight bulb holder - which the more I look at it, I think it is. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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