New Drive for the 70 Tonner

[sparkingbolt]

[:)] I was just parusing Bachmanns forum, the Bach-Man posted a list of DCC ready locos, one being the GE 70 tonner with a new drive. Nice to see this improvement. There was no comment as to any possable improvements on the shell.

The other locos listed DCC ready were GP 35 and GP 30. They also post the available roadnames and numbers of the locos.

Just thought a few might like to know. Dan

[Jetrock]

While I'm happy to see the 70 Tonner getting a new drive, it just means I'd better snap up all the old ones I can to "harvest" those power trucks! The shell was already pretty nice, although I did modify mine to represent the first-generation 70-tonners (cover the front louvers with some squadron putty and convert the dual headlight to a single.)

[sparkingbolt]

Jetrock, you can still snag the old 2 motor 44 tonners on eBay as well as the 70 tonners. Lotsa fun potential in those little drives. I've already stockpiled. Dan

[Anonymous]

Yikes! I bought a first run 70 tonner. Looked great after my paint job and detailing, like sheet metal apron pilot, sun awnings and a scale engineer. The problem was the cheap motors burned up.

Next I tried a recent run 44 tonner mechanism in the 70 T. [the wheels are a bit smaller, and the wheelbase is slightly different, but it looked okay]. The problem here was the 44T mech didn't run worth a darn[even after adding new bronze pickups on all the wheels. AAAARRRRGGHH!]. So the 70T shell has been collecting dust.

Now I'll have to see if I want to fool with another Bachmann anytonner!

BTW, there would be NO returns after heavily modifying the original engine.

[Anonymous]

BTW, I built a Keystone Locomotive Works 44 Tonner back in the early/mid 80's. I added Calscale pilots, but otherwise was stock. I also installed Digitrax DCC in it several years ago. For my money, the KLW 44T is far superior to Bachmann's. I just wish Keystone had built the 70 T kit they promised. The owner died and I suspect KLW sold whatever they had accomplished with it to Ivers Engineering.

I still have an unbuilt KLW 44T on the shelf. It's destined to become NYO&W no.104!

[dragenrider]

[:D][:D][:D] Happy Dance, I'm doing a Happy Dance!!!!! [:D][:D][:D]

I'm the not-so-proud owner of several 70 tonners from Bachmann. I'm a big fan of the engines and was hoping to hear this good news. I've even purchased two of the new single motor 44's and tried to convert one using a 70T shell. It didn't turn out worth a darn and I butchered a good shell. [V]

So, I'm excited about this announcement! Now if the old shell will fit the new locos then my Happy Dance will become an Ecstatic Waltz! [:P]

[Anonymous]

I have 4 70 tonners and 2 44 tonners.. almost all of them have burnt up a power truck but thus far each one has 1 power truck still working with no trouble. go figure. sad.. love the little buggers.

[Jetrock]

From what I have heard, the reason why one motor burns up is the slight difference in power between the two motors--one motor has a little more "oomph" and screws up the other one. That's fine by me, since using them in single-truck motors avoids this problem, and heavy hauling is not a requirement. I have also heard that keeping them lubricated helps.

Hopefully one will be able to get the 70-tonner mechanisms separately! And if any one of you replace yours, I (or another trolley modeler) will happily take the unwanted power trucks off your hands!

[Anonymous]

Has there ever been any info release on these? I don't see anything new at Bachmann's website.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jetrock

From what I have heard, the reason why one motor burns up is the slight difference in power between the two motors--one motor has a little more "oomph" and screws up the other one.

From what I've read in other places, its the lack of lubrication that causes them to burn out. Many models have oil impregnated brass bearings, but the Bachmanns had plain brass. The secret is to keep them lubed semi regularly.

I do my operating on modules, so my 44 tonner never saw much action, mostly going back and forth on side tracks. One day at home when moving the engine I noticed some smoke coming out of it. I took it apart and couldn't find anything binding or otherwise wrong. I took the occasion to oil the bearings (I didn't know of the problem at the time), and the loco worked fine after that.

I have a friend with a large operating layout, and he often used two of the engines together for small trains. They burned out from too much use, and not enough lubrication.

I hope the new single motor models have better bearings! [:D]

Bob Boudreau

[Anonymous]

I've been doing a happy dance since I saw that they will be doing 2 SP numbers in bloody nose! woohoo.. gotta have those!

[dragenrider]

FundyNorthern, what kind of oil and where on the motor? I've burned up several motors after very little use. My latest technique is to wire the two motors together so one won't start unless the other does. It slows down the over all speed and has prevented any more burn outs. But the motors will still "hang up". [banghead]

[sparkingbolt]

I posted a detailed way to fix the problem of motors burning out some time ago. The problem is that carbon from the brushes gets between the commuter plates and shorts them out, thus SMOKE It is a delicate procedure and risky, but my remedied 44 tonners don't act up. 'Spoze I better oil 'em up occasionally anyway. Still, the One motor should be a better solution, time will tell.

[sparkingbolt]

I posted a detailed way to fix the problem of motors burning out some time ago. The problem is that carbon from the brushes gets between the commuter plates and shorts them out, thus SMOKE It is a delicate procedure and risky, but my remedied 44 tonners don't act up. 'Spoze I better oil 'em up occasionally anyway. Still, the One motor should be a better solution, time will tell.
Those of you doing "happy dances", is that an indication that you have been happy with the overall performance of the single motored 44 tonners, I hope?

[dragenrider]

I have mixed emotions about the single motor 44 tonner. The plastic underside of each truck is low enough that it hangs up on anything. I haven't gotten either of them broken in yet. One of today's projects is to sand down the underside and see if they will clear the average track. So far, I'm not impressed with their low speed ability as compared to my old twin motor 44 I've reworked. [:(!]

I'll try to post more after working on them today!

Sparkingbolt, I did read your post on the motor brushes. Sorry, I'm too much of an electrical novice to try that! I'll just ship 'em to you and let you handle it! [:D]

[dragenrider]

OK, here's the update:

Engine 1-no sandpaper to work the bottom and it's Sunday. The engine surges when it runs at low and medium speed.

Engine 2-my kitbashed 70 tonner (from a 44 tonner) won't move! No electrical flow. I'll tackle that another day. It was running when I put it away!

Impression-the new 44 tonners ain't worth a [censored] !

I took out my remaining dual motor 70 tonners and ran them instead! [:P]