Tenshodo - Canadian Pacific Royal Hudson H1e 4-6-4

This is a 1970s Tenshodo locomotive.  It came stock with a huge open frame motor and fairly decent diecast gearbox.  It is an extremely well built locomotive and certainly was one of the best brass locomotives in its day.  The owner wanted an equally impressive drivetrain so a NWSL gearbox, torque arm drivetrain and coreless motor was installed.  For sound and control a Soundtraxx Tsunami decoder was used.

A taller gearbox and very long drive shaft was required so that the drive train would not be visable between the boiler and frame.  It was possible to install a Tsunami in the boiler.  The tender has an unusual base that required a different speaker setup.  A pair of medium sized speakers were mounted to bottom plate.  (See the photos).

This engine was very difficult to get to run properly under the default BEMF settings of the Tsunami decoder.  While on DC the drivetrain ran smooth, albeit with some slight motor hum at low speeds.  On DCC, the BEMF pulsed the motor to the point that it cogged badly and amplified the motor hum.   Some extensive tuning of the BEMF settings was required to get it back to an acceptable level.  This engine now runs supurb.

NOTE: The final top speed of 65-70 scale MPH may be a little slow for some people's taste.  If you prefer a faster running locomotive, I'd suggest a faster motor.  A Mashima 16x30 would work.

CPR Royal Hudson H1e 2860

CPR Royal Hudson H1e 2860

H1e Drivetrain

H1e drivetrain

DCC Install

DCC Install

H1e Tender

H1e Tender

Click here for a Installation notes and CV Settings.