Ads skipped

Hornby Model Train Controller Repairs and Starter Set Controller Teardown!

14K views · Aug 1, 2026 · People & Blogs

Comments · 120

  • @1Klooch · 2 weeks ago

    Those older, less expensive DC trains all suffered from pole lockup (even when new) which got worse the older they got. I have a bunch in my collection some as old as 50 years and they still move (somewhat).  It's hard to get reliable system results with these old beauties in the loop. Good on you for sticking to it. Your analysis of the current characteristics was interesting too!

    1

  • @PeterJohnsonWales · 1 month ago

    Those little Hornby engines have a reputation for being pocket rockets - they take a lot of power to get them started then go like hell. I agree with the commenter who said that the loco could do probably do with a service.

    1

  • @SiaVids · 1 month ago

    It was good to see that you were on the right track with the repairs. 😁

    7

  • @paulbrown6850 · 1 month ago

    My mum in the 70s and 80s worked in a printing factory in hull  uk and they printed the front sticker for hornby as she brought me a  few 900 and 902 ones plus other stickers for diecast vehicles and the kids star wars pack up boxes. She brought me loads of stickers. Happy days

    5

  • @StephiesStuffs · 1 month ago (edited)

    &quot;Riveting entertainment&quot;...?!?! <b>*Ba-dum tish*</b> 😂😂😂

    5

  • @DaveCurran · 1 month ago

    I remember lusting after the full setup of 900 and 902s and a line of switches in the Hornby catalogue when I was a kid. Looking at them now, I think my homemade version with the guts of a ZX81 power supply and an LM317 was probably a better design.

    4

  • @Goldwingnut1 · 1 month ago

    Thanks for the fun video Jazzy! Your so pleasant to listen to 🤗

    2

  • @madbren · 1 month ago

    A woman into electronics you&apos;ve stolen my heart simply love it ❤ you have a new subscriber.

    1

  • @stephenmorgan3909 · 1 month ago

    A most interesting video

    1

  • @DJ_K666 · 1 month ago

    Those R900/902s really were the thing to have in the 70s and 80s. You can see when they came out by checking the type of logo on them, do your examples would probably be late 70s. Early 80s ones had the yellow and black stripe.

    1

  • @sawdoctor0 · 1 month ago

    My hornby controllers are about 1955. Nice hefty transformers but they had selenium rectifiers now replaced with Schottky bridge. The overload trip gives such a satisfying &quot;clunk&apos;.

    2

  • @lesmaybury793 · 1 month ago (edited)

    Good to see those old controllers working, great job.<br>Back in the late 80s I built a PWM controller for my son. The provided variable DC controller exhibited the jerky start that was seen here. This is because the motors need full voltage to gain enough starting torque. A PWM always provides that but the speed is controlled by the &quot;average&quot; voltage.<br>I suspect the buzz seen here was due to a low frequency wave form and it did not look clean on the scope. I used a 555 timer for my effort but can&apos;t remember the frequency I used but it did work very well with excellent low speed control and the start was very smooth.

    2

Up next

LIVE

H&M Clipper and Duette Model Train Controllers - Better Than The Hornby 900?

JazzTech Electronics · 8K views

LIVE

Plastic Wheels – Do They Really Cause More Track Dirt Than Metal Wheels?

Model Railways Unlimited · 7K views

LIVE

Layout Update #31 - September 26

Kingsclere · 1.1K views

LIVE

Replacing The Selenium Rectifiers In A Vintage H&M Duette Model Train Controller

JazzTech Electronics · 9.5K views

LIVE

Electronics Soldering Kit Build - AliExpress LED Desktop Gyro Kit

JazzTech Electronics · 4.2K views

LIVE

AliExpress Tech Time! Another Bundle Of Cheap Tech Gadgets & Useful Things!

JazzTech Electronics · 21K views

LIVE

Hornby HM2000 Model Train Controller Repair

JazzTech Electronics · 15K views

LIVE

Why Isn't Anyone Talking About This...? - The BIG Unspoken Issue With Model Railways

That Model Railway Guy · 29K views

LIVE

Building the Dept of Villainy LED neon controller.

bigclivedotcom · 1.1M views

LIVE

Ex-Bachmann Boss Convicted Of Serious Crimes | Model Railway News | Aug 2026

Sam'sTrains · 56K views

LIVE

AliExpress Tech Time! More Cheap & Fun Tech Tools & Gadgets for April!

JazzTech Electronics · 19K views

LIVE

How Just One Mistake Destroyed Hornby – The Legend of British Electric Trains

Lost Industries · 64K views

LIVE

Motorola Radio Restoration And Modification - Full Detailed Procedure With Bluetooth Addition!

Mr Carlson's Lab · 207K views

LIVE

AliExpress Tech Time! Electronics Kits Plus Modules Galore for July 2026!

JazzTech Electronics · 22K views

LIVE

I Used an X-Ray To See If Parts Were Fake | Akai Radio And Hawksmoor Charger Repair!

Buy it Fix it · 57K views

LIVE

Master the C64 with Jim Butterfield

8-Bit Rerun · 9.2K views

LIVE

Flawed Genius: The zz9000 Amiga Graphics Upgrade That's About to Get WAY Better!

Retronaut · 40K views

LIVE

354. Let’s Fit a Tram Motor! Pt. 1

Trains of Thought · 1.8K views

LIVE

AliExpress Cheap Capacitor Dischargers

JazzTech Electronics · 12K views

LIVE

AliExpress Tech Time July 2026 - Cheap Tools, Gadgets & 3D Printer Accessories!

JazzTech Electronics · 13K views

YouTube, with the door locked.

Aegis plays a clean stream instead of YouTube's player, so pre-roll ads, trackers, and fingerprinting never ride along. Drop Shields any time if you want the official player back.