I have some skill with a soldering iron. It’s been about 6 years but I think I could handle it. All the stuff I do now is with a torch set for AC copper so not quite the same but I don’t think I’ve lost ALL of my electronic skill.
Probably impossible to replace the motor, considering the brand name of the manufacturer. Trix and MiniTrix are made by Marklin in Germany.
Your best bet would be to contact Marklin and ask them about a replacement motor before you buy the locomotive. Their web sites are at trixtrains.com and marklin.com which should lead you to a phone number or e-mail address. With the auction closing soon, I’d phone them. Their U.S. offices are in Wisconsin.
To the best of my knowledge, you can get replacement motors, if not through Maeklin, then possible Northwest Shortline.
These are impressive engines. A new motor would definitely improve it’s performance. I have a few of these that are scheduled for new motors, but I haven’t taken the time to locate a supplier. If you find one, let me know!
I notice the description just says that it has a short. Unfortunately, many people use the word “short” for ANY electrical problem, not necessarily one that blows the fuse. The problem may not even be the motor. It’s a crap shoot unless you like tinkering with engines like I do.
If you like to tinker with engines it sholuld be fairly easy to fix. If you can get it for around $25.00 it should be worth the money. It can’t be that much trouble to repair. You do need a good basic knowledge of electronics and trouble shootiing. Nothing ventured nothing gained!!
The motor may in fact be ok - Minitrix tender locos are often vulnerable to all manner of shorts due to the amount of metal in their construction (it can be something as simple as a piece of insulation shifting, or a soldered repair leaving too big a lump of solder). I spent about a week trying to figure out the problem with one I have (turned out to be a melted insulator that hadn’t survived a previous owner’s repairs). I would bid on it thinking in terms of “it’s a project” - don’t expect a quick or easy fix, however, you may get lucky on this one and find it just needs something bending slightly to cure the short (another problem on my loco was a brass contact shorting against the metal weight inside the boiler). Good luck!
The model is a real ‘kludge’. They took a German 10 coupled chassis, and put thier PRR K4 boulder on top of it. Look real close - the cylinders do not even match up with the stack on the smokebox!
The model is probably 15-20 years old - I would look for something with more current technology. The 2-10-0 would not be a typical passenger engine, and those undersize drivers with huge flanges may not operate on code 55 trackage(I know the Trix FM switcher will not …). I would quit fooling around with junk on eBay and find something ‘new’ at a discount via an ‘on-line’ dealer. The Bachmann 2-8-0 or maybe the Model Power 4-6-2 would be possabilities …
There is a company in Etobicoke (suburb of Toronto) who specialise in Marklin/Trix/MinTrix. They have a workshop where you can send in stuff for repair or they will supply you with parts. I bought a MiniTrix loco about 6 months ago on eBay in the same condition for $12.50. The new motor was under $30 as I recall and it was a snap to fit.
thanks for the link . i had no idea they were there . they probably don’t have much i’m interested in as i don’t model european trains , but i’m going to drop by next time we go to the queensway theatre
Is MiniTrix 2-rail or 3 rail? Marklin HO has studs down the center of the track to “hide” the third rail. If it is an AC current engine, you are not going to get it to run on regular HO rail. It will always have a short!!! The wheels on an AC loco are the same polarity, on a DC engine they are not. Since this fellow took the picture on his HO track, you can’t tell and he doesn’t seem to know. I’d pass.
I have one of those locomotives, it may be in my best interest to replace the motor…I still have some work on it, so after it is all cleaned, the wires are checked over, and relubed, I may not need to. I think it is an excellent locomotive, and if you can get it for cheap, and fix it up, then you just got yourself an excellent addition to your collection.[8D]
Sounds to me that if you need a winter project, this may be it!! Reasonable cost, troubleshooting practice, possible snazzy loco if you get it going…course, you need 24" or larger radii on your layout to run it, but so what!![2c]
It’s a nice loco,but certainly not for passenger trains…It’s relatively easy to re-align the cylinders with the boiler,I’ve done a few.Truthfully,though,I wouldn’t pay more than 20 bucks for it.They have a lot of easy to damage parts,contacts,rods,etc,and by the time you pay for it,plus shipping,the motor plus shipping,you might just as well buy a running one.If ya get it “as is” and it turns out to be junk,you’re stuck,if you buy one that’s SUPPOSED to be good,and it’s not,at least you can possibly get your money back. Last year,I bought 4 K4 Trix Pacifics[this guys brother,almost the same loco] for 85 bucks,not running.I saved 3 of them,but I could just as easily ended up with a pile of junk.I’m always a little leery of buying used n steam online.,unless it’s a STEAL…If ya do buy it and it’s junk,though,I could use the parts!!!