I purchased a Rivaraossi Pacific several years back. It is a beautiful engine, but runs like a dog. I've done the basic stuff like tying into the tender wheels for additional pickup, but it still is rather balky. So, actual several questions... Does anyone know where I could get it remotored? If not, does anyone know how I can remotor it? There is an article in the N scale steam book on it, but are any other approaches available? I know that the folks who make the "Helix humper" were considering a remotoring kit a few years back, but I haven't heard any rumors about that for awhile. I'm to the point where the mechanism lies disassembled on workbench (I think I remember where everything goes) as I tried an Atlas motor in it. It fit the cavity, but was too long to slip the shell over. I was able to run the engine a bit (without the shell) with the Atlas motor and it did rather well. I could continue in this vein, but prefer to find something a little more appropriate. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Chris Puza
Walthers shows the following replacement motor from Accurate Lighting Replacement Can Motor -- For Atlas Rivarossi 4-6-2 & 2-8-2 N scale Part number 144-32 $46.15 Found the Helix Humper website but they only list HO products: http://www.alliancelink.com/alp/ You may also want to send an email to Dave at ConCor concor@con-cor.com They import Rivarossi N locomotives and occasionally have spare motors in stock. eNjoy Don B
please make sure the small spring on the draw bar is in contact with the lower bush holder on the motor. also check to make sure all of the wheels are insulated on the correct sideonthe tender.
Advice received from others who had the older pacifics. Before re-motoring, check to see if the old casting had warped. If it did it wasn't worth it. Con-cor years ago replace the Pacific in the Overland Set for me because it had warped. Just another point of reference Jerry
I have an N-scale Rivarossi Atlas 4-6-2 Pacific that needs a new motor. I would greatly appreciate advice on what might be a suitable replacement motor for it, and where I might be able to locate such a motor. I am not sure what the exact model I have is, so please allow me to describe it. I bought this locomotive used, and without a tender, probably in the late 1970's or early 1980's, did not start using it recently, after I bought a tender for it. At first it worked very well - it did not run very fast, but it did run smoothly and could pull a lot of cars (thanks to 2 traction tires on its right side). After a day or so of use, it first slowed down, and then stopped moving. I took it apart, and tested the motor while disconnected from the mechanism. The motor turns, but not with much force, so I believe the motor is shot, and that the mechanism is still ok. I noticed the prior message (from 2001) describing a replacement motor from "Accurate Lighting" on the Walthers site, and I see that motor listed on the Walthers site today. But I don't know if I have the same Rivarossi Atlas Pacific that you folks are referring to, or a different (older?) model. If it helps, mine has the letters "AT & SF" on both sides of the cab (no number). The left side wheels (only) of the locomotive pick up electricity. My tender is a replacement. The motor in the locomotive appears to be an enclosed round can, with a post extending downward at the rear to make electrical contact with the tender via the drawbar. The driveshaft of the motor connects to a separate driveshaft which links to the gears; these separate driveshafts each have a black plastic "U"-shaped fork which interlock with each other to transmit the force of the motor to the mechanism. Each of the 3 drive axles on the locomotive has a brass gear on it, meaning that the siderods are not involved in delivering the motor's force. I had also noticed a year-2003 message about using a Helix Humper replacement motor for a Rivarossi Atlas Pacific, but the only item on their web site for an N-scale 4-6-2 Pacific ("#181 Repower Kit Atlas 4-6-2 $34.95") has a different-shaped motor enclosure and a brass worm gear attached to it, and thus does not seem to match my motor. Can anyone please tell me if this is the same Rivarossi Pacific locomotive you referred to above? And, can you recommend a good place to locate a suitable replacement motor?
Chris Try this website The Motorman and email The Motorman at the address he gives. I remotored an old Atlas/Rivarossi light pacific with one of his lower priced motors and it runs really great. Eldon is very helpful and has photo tutorials for some installations. If you need to cut the frame for a new motor, work very carefully and slowly or the Zantec frame will crack. I used a hobby saw and a fine file. Never grind on the older Rivarossi frames or they may just turn to dust.
I have had good success with my old Atlas/RR engines with can motors by replacing the three pole armature with a five pole and using the original can. No mods to the frame and they run sweet. I have a 0-8-0, a Pacific, a 2-8-2, an 0-4-0 and an SW1500. The guy I get the armatures from also sells complete five pole motors on Ebay. Here's a link to one he has listed now. He's very helpful and would probably set up a motor for you Pacific. Hope this helps. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=19121&item=5976346448&rd=1
I'll backup Motorman He also does a kit for a dual motor conversion for BigBoys.. Now theres some power for ya!
