i have 3 of the original 2-motor Bachmann 44-tonners that i want to convert to DCC (actually RailPro), as there is no room under the shell of the 2-motor version for the module.
i downloaded the exploded parts diagram for the 1-motor version, and it looks like i should be able to convert to 1 motor by buying the chassis, worms, trucks, and motor. (based on current eBay prices, this approach is about 1/2 the cost of a full 1-motor model)
Has anyone made this conversion (DCC or not)?
thanks
Ken
The 2nd generation one motor chassis still had the same problem with splitting gears on the axles as the 2 motor version. Proceed with caution. Dan
I'm pretty positive that the bodies for 2-motor and 1-motor 44 tonners are identical (I've had a few of each) but as the other person who has responded says, look for the 3rd-generation 44 tonner (the second version of the 1-motor) which runs better than the earlier 1-motor, and generally also comes with DCC--I do know that the same body fits on both 2nd and 3rd gen 44 tonners (although I had some trouble swapping a 2-engine 70 tonner to a new DCC 70 tonner body and ended up trashing the screw mounts that connect the body to the chassis, still haven't figured out how to fix it.)
You can buy all of the component parts and assemble them into a working chassis, I've done this--not necessarily to upgrade a 44 tonner, but for use as the chassis for interurban bodies that use a 44 tonner chassis as their mechanism. At some point you end up paying as much as you would for a new loco, but if eBay prices for 44 tonners have gone up that high, then buying the parts isn't a bad idea! (if you get train shows in your area, train shows are often cheaper than eBay.) Just, like above, look for the latest generation 44 tonner parts.
i haven't converted any of the two motor into single motor, but i converted two of the double motors into DCC if it helps ...
it was a really putzy job that took ages to finish..
i decided i wan't going to let the little guy defeat me. i got the job done.
using my band saw, i cut about half the thickness off the top of the chassis, from the front to about halfway back. this allowed enough room between the chassis and the inside of the hood for my RailPro module, but leaves enough metal so the chassis is still sturdy. i also cut the two tabs off the top of the rear of the chassis (the locating lugs for the light board, which i had removed).
from there it was pretty much straightforward. i wired the two motors in parallel and installed SMD LED's with SMD 1K resistors both front and rear.
i hadn't planned on sound, but i discovered that an iphone 8 speaker (cut down to just the speaker part) would nestle perfectly on the bottom of the "fuel tank". i attached it with a small lump of poster mounting putty (Stik-Tak).there is one area near the center of the chassis that i was able to lead the speaker wires down without being pinched by the hood.
i now have the modding of my other 2 44-tonners on my to-do list.
i would post pictures except it's not clear how to do so.
Congrats on getting the conversion done. I like 44 tonners a lot. I hope you don't have the problems of the axles splitting as so many did. Dan
ooh, I'd like to see pictures! Usually I host my pics elsewhere (like Imgur) and link it here using the picture icon--just copy & paste the link.