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Hercules Locomotive (Kit & Ready to Run)

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Kit instructions

Hercules Owners

This is a bogied loco with 4 motors - one per axle. Powered by two standard car batteries this loco with its increased weight and additional wheel sets actually unleashes the power to the track where a Trojan would slip.

Technical Specification

  • 4 x 150w axle hung motors (peak output). Commercial mass produced motors.
  • 24v operation via two standard car batteries (not included)
  • 12t - 80t gear reduction - direct drive (no whip effect when backing off power)
  • Steel to Delrin gears (wears 1/3 less then steel to steel)1
  • Weights 34kg - chassis and bogies
  • Top speed 10-11mph
  • Good hauler - depending on stock and track but 8-10 adults no problem.
  • Good run time (timed at Chingford - 2hrs 30m on continous public running with between 6-9 adults). Owners report anything up to 4 hours
  • Digital controller with 50% speed govenor switch2
  • Progressive regenerative braking with idrive option.
  • Truecharge battery meter/fault indicator2
  • Dash board for battery isolator, switches, hand controller socket and Truecharge meter - accessible from side window with out lifting the body.
  • All steel body (except the paint and rubber window trim)
  • Independent suspension to each axle box
    •

    1. Quoted online by manufacturer of Delrin. Delrin is a trade name for one of the modern plastics. Gears can be damaged by impact. Steel gears damaged by impact will ruin other meshed gear resulting in replacing all gears. This does not happen with Delrin to steel.

    2. Optional extras for kit building

    Hercules on a six foot radius on a 1 in 20 gradient. Easily pulled up two adults on a bogie coach.

    Hercules on the last train of the day pulling nine adults up a 1 in 40 from a standing start

    Close up of the industrial cranks

    New dashboard plate with Truecharge meter. Battery switch and socket line up with cab windows to save lifting the body.

    Some club members have expressed a great interest in the Hercules but fear that the maintenance and potential catastrophic failure that could occur with the cranks would possibly put club members off from purchasing one. With this in mind we have developed a ball race version that needs comparatively little maintenance.

    Only the oilite motor bushes need oiling (every 1000 hrs) and occasional nut and bolt checking on the bogies. Even without the cranks this loco produces more than enough power for most users.

    Hercules locos are built in our Romford workshop. We generally build to order so delivery times vary depending on the current order book.

    ball race bogie with protect tape on wheels