USA Trains 44 Tonner

[Benjamin Maggi]

Thanks for that information.

[amotz]

I picked some up last year at the ECLSTS from Wholesale Trains -- $8.95 for two axles w/ gears & plain wheels.  Part No. USA-22-170.  Haven't installed them yet.

[Benjamin Maggi]

Engines just came in, and they look great. Got a question: If I decide that I don't want the traction tire-equipped wheels, are regular axles and wheels available from USA Trains to replace them? How much traction will I lose? Has anyone done this before?

[wchasr]

Hmmm? If you're headed to Ricky's tell him to make up an extra set and email me. I've got a USAT 44 tonner waiting to be repainted.  Keep us updated on your progress too! I'm still packing the train stuff up from the old house and trying to get the shop ready at the new house while finding clothes to wear daily is an exciting adventure! Glad Dad isn't selling the old place any time soon. Time to figure out how to get the airbrush, compressor and spray booth set up!

 

Chas

[Benjamin Maggi]

Chas,

Yes, I found out that the prices are different for online versus in store at Ridge Road Station. I ordered the engines, and though I still plan on visiting the store soon I am having the engines shipped to my apartment in Albany because it is cheaper then them HANDING THEM to me in the store!

While it takes gas to drive there from Rochester, the experience cannot be beat... especially when you see the layout and all of the shelves of goods. It is liking walking into a Walthers catalog!

As to my decals, I know Ricky Rupp from a couple of years ago when he did my decals for my HO scale 44 tonners and he is indeed working on my G scale decals. In fact, I am taking my engines over to his place and we will scale out the decals together to make sure they are the right size. Great guy to work with. He would even be my custom painter if he hadn't gotten out of the business of painting. 

[wchasr]

Scoobster,

  Well my first time back here since the change in the forum format so pardon me while I get used to this. I too live within driving distance of Ridge road but even closer to the A&A. I don't get to either very often (or as often as I'd like!) but both are worth the trip. I worked at Niagara Hobby in Buffalo for a number of years before moving back to the southern tier. If you are in driving distance of Ridge Road you are also within driving distance of Lantz's in Horseheads. Not as big but again worth the trip.

Bear in mind that Ridge Road's prices online and in the store can be quite different and you might actually get a better deal online. You also get to pay sales tax and gas to drive there too. Lantz's are the same way as is Trainworld in NYC if you get there too. Many folks will order online or over the phone from out of state to get the best bang for the buck but going shopping sometimes can be well worth the extra cash and time spent.

I've got a USAT SP 44 tonner that is mostly gray already and won't take to much to strip and prime to repaint into A&A paint. Try Modern Decals (Ricky Rupp) in Portageville for the decals for A&A. Of course any good decal maker can help you out with that too.

 

Good luck!

 

Chas

[Benjamin Maggi]

About that Model Railroader article... I have 4 copies of is loose, plus have worn out three or four more. In addition, when I saw the 1978 Bound Model Railroader on ebay I jumped at it, just to preserve in hard copy the article as well. I collect anything related to the A&A, and just rode it last week actually.

I will keep you guys updated. By the way, does Walthers make a Large Scale catalog anymore? I went to their website, but all they were promoting was their new HO and N scale catalogs. And my hobby shop doesn't have the Large Scale in stock. 

[bman36]

Hi there,

     Welcome to the forum! Talk about a trip down memory lane. I recall an article that I believe MR did waaaaay back in the seventies on the A&A. It featured photos of the real line and the 44 tonners at work. Let us know when you have your new equipment. I would love to see some pics. Later eh...Brian.

 

[Benjamin Maggi]

Wow, thanks to everyone for their replies. I appreciate all of your feedback.

[vsmith]

Scoobster28

I am thinking about modeling the Arcade and Attica Railroad's (local NY shortline) 44 Tonners and want to purchase a couple of engines to repaint. They actually own two 44 tonners and a 65 tonner, which looks very similar to the 44 tonners. To make things more interesting, when originally delivered in 1941 and 1947 the 44 tonners used the generic GE scheme, then had them repainted to another scheme in the seventies, and finally just recently all of the engines were repainted back in the "retro" scheme. They look great, and I just have to model them. Or maybe one of each.

Check back issues of Model Railroader, I think this is the RR Tony Koester did a DIY portable large scale layout for the rag last year, had some plans and some interesting pics over the 4 issues it was covered in.

I am not a G scale modeler, but my fiancee LOVES them. I am actually an N scale and HO scale modeler. However, I grew up in Rochester and Ridge Road Station was merely a quick drive down the road for me (and that is where she fell in love with G scale trains!) So...

1. Is Ridge Road Station the best place to purchase G scale trains? How about Online? I see that their online prices are very competitive, but are there other online sources that are better?

There not bad thats for sure, if you can drive their I'd highly recommend them, San Val Discounters here on the west coast is similar but buying at Ridge Road saves alot on the shipping cost.

2. Especially for USA Trains 44 Tonners, does anybody know who has the best deal? I am looking for a pair of undecorated units, and saw Ridge Road Station has them, but they are back-ordered.

Shop around, call around, check San Val, Trainworld, St Aubin Station. I saw some there at San Val my last visit, but maybe not undecorated.

3. I assume that most G scale equipment produced today is reliable (New Bright aside... haha) but how does USA Trains stack up against other AMERICAN (not LGB) equipment? Has anyone done a review of that engine, either online or published in a magazine?

Aristocraft is the only other US maker offering a standard gauge engine like the 44 tonner, theirs is simply called the Centercab switcher but its not based on any real life prototype (its the cab and 2 hoods from a RS-3!) USAs engine is good stuff, you wont be dissappointed with it.

4. Finally, is it just me, or do the couplers on it (and some other G scale equipment) appear lower then prototype couplers. On a small engine like this, the couplers look like they are almost a foot lower than the real engine. Is there anyway to fix this, or is this a standard in G scale?

I cant comment as I never really noticed the height compared to HO stuff, as long as you use the same coupler on all your stock you wont notice any real differences. 

Have fun!

[Anonymous]

I have so many USA locos that I have to work hard to run them. I have 2 of the 44 tonners also and love them. They pull good and run smooth.

 

Art

[CandCRR]

I have two and they run great.  My first one was a special order from my local hobby shop and it took about two weeks to get.  It also was undecorated.  The other one I bought at Charles Ro, their ad is also in Garden Railways magazing.  They are close enough to where I work for me to drive to the store.  I always like to try to buy from local busineses even if sometines I have to pay more.  I was lucky I got very good prices in both cases.

Jaime

[RR Redneck]

Lucky, I olny got a gf, that will go hunting with me. Wont mess with my trains.

[Benjamin Maggi]

I just ordered a pair from Ridge Road Station. They list them as back-ordered, but a call to USA Trains confirmed that the manufacturer does indeed have them in stock. Hopefully, Ridge Road was just waiting for an order to be placed before they themselves took inventory of the engine (An undecorated 44 Tonner is not the hottest of items, I understand). If all goes well, I should have them by Christmas.

[GP-9_Man11786]

I have a 44-tonner and I'm quite pleased with it.

[devils]

Can't help with 1 and 2 but

3 - USA trains are reliable, I've got four of the 4 and 6 axle units and had no problems with them. I haven't seen a review of this loco but it uses common drive parts to the others so I wouldn't expect any problems.

Aristocraft also run well.

4 - Couplers can easily be changed for kadees, (G1 or G versions, difference is the knuckle size, see their website), Kadees operate better at slow speeds used in switching and you can set them easily at scale height.

 

hope this helps Paul

 

 

[Benjamin Maggi]

I am thinking about modeling the Arcade and Attica Railroad's (local NY shortline) 44 Tonners and want to purchase a couple of engines to repaint. They actually own two 44 tonners and a 65 tonner, which looks very similar to the 44 tonners. To make things more interesting, when originally delivered in 1941 and 1947 the 44 tonners used the generic GE scheme, then had them repainted to another scheme in the seventies, and finally just recently all of the engines were repainted back in the "retro" scheme. They look great, and I just have to model them. Or maybe one of each.

I am not a G scale modeler, but my fiancee LOVES them. I am actually an N scale and HO scale modeler. However, I grew up in Rochester and Ridge Road Station was merely a quick drive down the road for me (and that is where she fell in love with G scale trains!) So...

1. Is Ridge Road Station the best place to purchase G scale trains? How about Online? I see that their online prices are very competitive, but are there other online sources that are better?

2. Especially for USA Trains 44 Tonners, does anybody know who has the best deal? I am looking for a pair of undecorated units, and saw Ridge Road Station has them, but they are back-ordered.

3. I assume that most G scale equipment produced today is reliable (New Bright aside... haha) but how does USA Trains stack up against other AMERICAN (not LGB) equipment? Has anyone done a review of that engine, either online or published in a magazine?

4. Finally, is it just me, or do the couplers on it (and some other G scale equipment) appear lower then prototype couplers. On a small engine like this, the couplers look like they are almost a foot lower than the real engine. Is there anyway to fix this, or is this a standard in G scale?

If this has already been discussed in the forums, (and I searched for all 44 Tonner info and didn't find much) then please just point me in the right direction.

Thanks!