What motor is/was in the HP 4-6-0?

[D Martin]

Good evening:
I have an HP 4-6-0 brass loco, I bought it personally from Larry Sayre at his home. If I Recall Correctly, there was an HP catalog issued that showed this loco, and a note was stapled to the page, saying loco would not be available because the supply of the special motors was no longer available. Does anyone recall what motor this was? I think it was English made. (I cannot find the catalog).

Any replies appreciated.

Suddenly my memory came back(?) maybe Romford Terrier?


Dennis M. in W. Tenn.

[TheKnighTT]

Review of HP catalog info shows the following: The 460 was introduced and first appears in the 1959 catalog (red cover with 1959 on front). The model featured brass construction and a 7 pole DC motor made by Romford in England. The 1961 catalog (identical to the 1959 catalog with the addition of a small piece of paper stapled to the last page noting the 1961 additions) states that the 10 wheeler is temporarily out of production.

Some file notes I have from John Harmon show that the punch die used to produce the brass skirting and catwalk assembly was broken by HP in 1959, which limited the number of units produced by HP. Harmon estimates a total of approximately 50 were produced. The brass 460 and associated 4700 brass tender are indeed rare models.

[D Martin]

AHAH! You helped my feeble memory. I think Romford Terrier was the motor. Also, I talked to John Harmon once on telephone. If I recall correctly, he said mine having the air compressor attached to boiler made it unusual, he and Larry S. finished several 4-6-0s and very few had an air compressor (pump). Thanks for the added info. BTW, I have one of the catalogs with the stapled note, but can't find it at the moment.

[tomvanhoy]

That is the same story I got from John. I have one unbuilt kit that I got from John and it is missing the skirt. It would be possible to fabricate the part from sheet brass, but haven't done that yet.

[milwrd1]

Two pictures of the Romford motor in the HP 4-6-0.

Romford 7 pole motor w/ worm gear and motor bracket

Romford motor front view (showing width)

I have not test run this motor. Interesting to note the red insulation on the wires close to the motor bracket in the first photo. I don't have any idea what condition the magnet is in, considering the magnet is probably over 60 years old. Overall motor dimensions are about 2 1/4 inches long by 5/16 inches wide. The motor is definitely not as wide as the Pittman DC-60.

[D Martin]

For milwrd1 and all: I think the Terrier was the only motor available that was narrow enough to fit between the loco's drive wheels. If I recall correctly, the HP standard DC-60 had the bottom pole piece machined down to make the front of the motor narrower. A DC-60 would have been too large overall for the 10-wheeler, thus the choice of using the Terrier.