5 pole "1833" skew wound motors from Taff Vale Models

Yes my four motors came too, I intend to use them only for the Steve Beattie Diesels and maybe some smallish steamers, likewise I'm going to use beefier motors on my bigger steam builds and ideally when it comes to getting my Duchess kit I'm thinking of using a Ron Chaplin motor with two stage reduction gearbox in that. I think you will find the Taff Vale motors to be good, I tested them on the Class 24 and they spun as quite as a church mouse.

 

Yes, it's not a cheap option, building loco's from kits, but sometimes it's the only way if what you want isn't available in RTR. I've not actually seen anything in print regarding Mashima motors being produced again, but it did seem odd to me that Mr Mashima should retire without selling the operation as a 'going concern', as that would be the normal procedure for a retiring owner, rather than just shutting down and walking away. Fortunately there are a number of 'cheap' and 'not-so-cheap' alternatives available, and I did once receive a 'dud' Mashima which was immediately replaced without question. Once I've got my coach lighting switch fitting dealt with (about another 20 or so to go!) I'll be making a start on my next build, a "Model Loco/DJM" 'Rebuilt Merchant Navy', but this came complete with the BFB wheels, so an expense saved!
Keith.

 

From my take on this I'm not able give cast iron guarantees on the Taff Vale 1833 motors overall performance, however from reading reports posted on other forums by customers the general consensus of opinion is these motors are good and the Taff Vale customer service is excellent. So based upon these word of mouth recommendations I was happy to invest in the Taff Vale 1833's as replacement alternative, now I understand the Mashima business continues as a buy out but who the new owner is I don't know.

 

I have about 40 at the last count, 10 have been treated to the latching magnetic reed switch so far (at £3 a time!) and I have a rake of Mk1 Pullmans to fit with these when I get some more switches (possibly at the Doncaster show next month if layouts4u are there). The rest I'm gradually working through with the "mini torch pushbutton On/Off switches" I used in my Coach Lighting "How-To", but I'm awaiting a further supply of 20 of these as I've currently run out. When I start the "Merchant Navy" kit, I'll begin a thread on it.
Keith.

 

Knowing how clever the Chinese are at copying a design and producing quickly, it may well be that the Taff Vale motors are a Chinese clone, especially if as rumoured for some time, Mr Mashima was going to shut down the company. At least, if Mashima is again 'rising from the ashes' so to speak, then as long as the original quality is there, there will still be the option to use what many kit manufacturers often specify or suggest when supplies of the original finally run out. It should also stop the greedy ones on Ebay asking silly prices with the excuse that "it's the last one left!"
Keith.

 

This one looks to be quite an early design motor.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mashima-...ec190c70c:m:mdPJ-CWPxmdLfO9XPLe49Yg:rk:1:pf:0

 

Somebody seems to have got plenty of stock to sell!
Keith.

 

He has only got four 1833's left in stock but judging by the display picture it looks like an old design... all mine have always been enclosed can motors and at £36.50 per punt I have to say that it is with regret but I'm out.

 

The last Mashima I bought was a 1020 I believe, £18 about a year ago plus a gearbox, both from Chris Gibbon at High Level Kits. ( a very decent and helpful bloke to deal with).
It seems that until news gets around that Mashima's are back in production, there will be those who will capitalise on daft prices under the premise that "These are the last one's left!"
Keith.