| Open framed motors for the majority of Brass Steam | | | | scaring on the armature which can make the motor |
| Locomotives and many Diesels still are in use since | | | | useless. |
| post World War II. They were a main stay to power | | | | 3. The open frame motor requires lubrication at each |
| the locomotive. These motors were all produced in | | | | end of the motor where the bearings are located. The |
| Japan except for the Pitman Motor which was | | | | manufacturers would place a pad around the motor |
| produced in the United States. | | | | shaft next to the bearings. Here is where you would |
| About thirty five years ago the industry began | | | | lubricate the motor. The problem is that these pads |
| changing over to the Can Motor. The Can Motor was | | | | would get old and shrink thus eliminating the lubrication |
| introduced in new locomotives to be sold to the | | | | process. |
| hobbyist. It wasn't until a few years later that the | | | | 4. The best thing to do is tear down the motor and |
| hobbyist could buy the Can Motor for personal use. | | | | rebuild/replace the vital components except the |
| Why the sudden change to the Can Motor? What | | | | armature. This can be a difficult process and very time |
| reason for such a major overhaul? The following is a | | | | consuming. It doesn't mean the motor is going to run |
| presentation of the reasons for those changes and | | | | any better. Open frame motors when left standing for |
| the advantages as well. | | | | any length of time, accumulate debris and generally |
| The open frame motor was a nightmare to keep | | | | won't run. |
| running. There were several reasons for this. | | | | The Can Motor eliminated all of these problems and is |
| 1. The brushes and armature are exposed to the | | | | far more sensitive to electrical input than the open |
| atmosphere. This allows dust particles which are | | | | framed motor. It was almost impossible running an |
| charged to accumulate on the armature and adhere to | | | | open frame motor at low speeds where the Can |
| the brushes. This alone can cause major problems | | | | Motor is best suited operationally. |
| electrically. It takes more power to turn the motor due | | | | The open frame motor is not really adaptable to the |
| to resistance and debris build up. That is it creates a | | | | new DCC operations. This is the opposite for the Can |
| resistance which bogs done the motor. | | | | Motor as it is suited for running of locomotives which |
| 2. The accumulation of static charged particles | | | | have the DCC decoders on board. The Can Motors |
| deposited on the two brushes becomes an inhibitor to | | | | are smaller than the open frame motors which made it |
| the rotation of the armature and grinds it down making | | | | easier for the hobbyist to install the new motor. |
| the motor useless. These particles also can cause | | | | |