N-Scale Motor brushes

AFAIK, there are no brushes available for any motors in N scale locomotives. Nor for most motors in Ho scale locos, either. Open frame motors are about the only ones for which you can get brushes.

sorry for the downer, wolf k.

If the manufacturer doesn't have the parts you need, there basically aren't any available. Thus the loco basically becomes a dummy.

-- Bob May

rmay at nethere.com http: slash /nav.to slash bobmay http: slash /bobmay dot astronomy.net

How about re-motoring?

That, or buy a new loco.

cheers, wolf k.

On 1/17/2010 11:45 AM Wolf K spake thus:

I'm not sure I would give up so easily.

It might be difficult to locate them, but chances are good that

*someone* out there makes replacement brushes for almost any motor, large or small.

F'rinstance, I found the following page on a google search:

Unfortunately, there's no indication how large these brushes are, but there are lots of different kinds. Perhaps a call to them might turn up some useful information.

Or you could try contacting carbon brush manufacturers directly:

Atlas has some coverage in their parts listings, but the coverage is pretty spotty. Has the OP tried calling the mfgr/distributor?

Mark, did you try contacting each manufacturer? BTW, LifeLike was bought out by Walthers. Also, what engines and how old are they? For example Life-Like made N scale engines using several different motors which might use different brushes.

Also it is not common for brushes to wear out during normal use. Normally that takes a very long time. Are you sure that the brushes are your problem?

If all the locos are of recent vintage then there is a pretty good chance that they all use similar motors with similar brushes so if you are able to find some brushes they might fit all the motors.

NWSL supply all sorts of tiny can motors for N-Gauge, and their catalog describes various "how to" fitting methods.

Atlas sells spare motors directly. See

for info on spare parts.

On 1/17/2010 11:04 PM Peter W. spake thus:

It's also possible that some brushes may not be replaceable at all, like some small Mabuchi motors that were never designed for brush removal and reinstallation.

Depends on the motor. Most modern motors used in model engines are closed (can) motors, which are not designed for repair. Some older N scale locos had open frame motors, but it's a) unlikely that these are still made; and b) that anyone stocks parts for them.

Another, not inconsiderable, issue is taking the engine apart to get at the motor and then reassembling it

These are brushes for RC model cars, which are generally 1/12th scale or thereabouts. The motors are pretty big, with brushes aroun 1/8th inch or larger.

The brushes for an N scale loco would be on the order of 1mm diameter.

These guys make brushes for industrial motors.

These guys make cleaning brushes.

Another mfr of industrial motor brushes (and contacts, etc.)

actually- they are 1.6mm in diameter. go to

follow the dire ctions t order part# 927010 (2 brushes, 2 springs, and 2 caps) cost will be about $3.50D. the brushes and springs will fit fine, just pitch the caps ( they'll prolly be different) and reuse the old ones. they'll work on most a sian-made N scale motors. see how I did that? rob