Bachmann 44-ton and 70-ton GE

[Graham Line]

I'm involved in a project to remotor an old traction box cab by MEW.  Can someone supply the dimensions of the newer single-motor Bachmann drives?

I need to know the overall length of the drive mechnism and the distance between the power truck centers. Apparently the 70T is a fraction longer than the 44.

[Southgate 2]

3.885 inches from the tip of the front truck, touching the flanges, to the tip of the rear...

2.538 center to center.

I got these dimensions off of a 2 motor Bachmann, but they should be the same as the single.

[Southgate 2]

From pictures I've seen, it looks like MEW used their 44 tonner drive in a box cab. I watched a MEW boxcab on ebay recently. It went for around $130 +/-, so I didn't bid. Nice looking model though

[Graham Line]

Thank you very much. Now to find a single-motor Bachmann DCC 44-tonner. I assume that is what you measured?  I understand the 70-ton chassis is fractionally longer. 

The drive in mine looks like it came from MEW's 44-tonner.  There's a slight arch to the metal chassis now and I'm not going to try to straighten it.

 

[Graham Line]

My error. You did say you measured an older two-motor engine.

[Southgate 2]

The 70 tonner is 4.040 long outside to outside over the flanges. Trucks center to center are 2.67.

I originally measured a two motor 44 tonner, but close comparison with what's left of a single motor one shows it to be the same, or extremely close. I have a sore collection of single and two motor of Bachmann 44 and 70 tonners. All have the same plague that has been the topic of many discussions, splits on the axle/gear. Proceed with caution.

I don't know the status of the last generation of these models in that regard, and have no desire to take the plunge to find out for myself. 

If the chassis frame on the MEW is the same as their 44 tonner, and you want a replacement,  I'll send you one. (moderators: no sell, trade, postage, favors asked). Send me a PM. Dan

[Graham Line]

The 70-ton dimensions are very helpful.  The model I have is the Visalia Electric boxcab, not the steeplecab, and an extra eighth of an inch may be helpful. 

I have had the same unhappy experience with the two-motor drives, but have a 45-tooner that seems to be higher quality. Using the Bachmann to repower the MEW seems like a possibility, but I'm surprised how scarce the single-motor version seems to be. The alternative is to cobble together new electrical pickups and NWSL components, then find a 12v motor.

[DanRaitz]

If your interested there was a article in the Sept. 1993 "Model Railroading" on rewiring the 2 motor 70-Tonner.  In it shows you how to go from 2 separate motors (in parallel) to 2 electrically linked motors (in series).  The article is titled "De-Turboing the Bachmann 70-Tonner" the author was R.B. Mitchell. This technique will also work for the 2 motor 44-Tonner.

 

Dan

[Southgate 2]

The best alternative in my book would be to find a Keystone Locomotive Works 44 tonner. They show up sporadically on ebay. Final bid prices can vary greatly. They have a can motor, metal gears all the way through. The drive chassis would be easy enough to modify to fit. But then you'll be wondering what to do with that beautiful 44 tonner body! 

Dan

[Spud man]

I recently picked up a Keystone on ebay. It is a solid loco so far. However, if you plan to run it on DCC, there is not much room (if any) to install a decoder. 

[Southgate 2]

I'd replace the rubber tubes that connect the motor shafts to the  truck's worm shafts with NWSL U joints. Already have on one. It really smooths out the ride. Dan

[Jetrock]

I've used Bachmann 44 tonner innards to power MEW GE steeplecabs, I had to rip off the circuit boards & DCC chips and grind off bits of the frame with a Dremel but it ended up fitting just fine. I also have one of those Visalia Electric boxcabs but the original motor runs pretty well so I left it as-is for now. Have to pick up a few more 44 tonners for other traction projects, though!

[Graham Line]

Jetrock: You mention removing DCC bits, so should I assume you are using the later single-motored Bachmann chassis?  They seem to be harder to find than the earlier two-motor versions which I have no success keeping alive.

Side question: If I put an NWSL power truck under these little electrics, should I use one or two?

[Jetrock]

Graham Line

Jetrock: You mention removing DCC bits, so should I assume you are using the later single-motored Bachmann chassis?  They seem to be harder to find than the earlier two-motor versions which I have no success keeping alive.

Side question: If I put an NWSL power truck under these little electrics, should I use one or two?

 

Yes, I used the later single motor version--specifically the third version which came with DCC decoders. Although now that I have gone DCC, I reconnected the DCC decoders directly to the pickup and motor leads--they worked just fine without the mounting boards, although now I'm having some trouble with the universal joint/worm screw on one of the power trucks. Also, because Bachmann isn't making the 44 tonner model anymore, they're becoming harder to find and more expensive (isn't everything?) but the third version runs very, very well for a small model, with great low-speed performance; also, the third version solved another problem in the 2nd one-motor version--the plastic cover over the gears on the power trucks was so thin that, when run over street trackage or grade crossings, it scraped the street surface, resulting in stalls! Since a lot of traction and interurban modelers use extensive street running, this became a big problem and some resorted to sanding down the cover. The 3rd version uses a thinner cover that also has windows allowing direct lubrication of the gears, and doesn't have the bottoming-out problem.

 

I suppose it depends on what you're trying to achieve; having two powered trucks gives you more pulling power, which is helpful if you're modeling a freight steeplecab, while a lot of traction fans who use NWSL power trucks (or 1st edition Bachmann power trucks) use them to model streetcars, in which case one power truck is probably sufficient, especially if you can wire the non-powered truck for all-wheel pickup. Although I think it also creates another problem; if you're running DCC, can you power 2 motors from a single decoder?