Tender powering steam engines

[mecovey]

I have a number of steam engines from 30 year old AHMs to the new BL Mike. Most of the old engines look fine but run like...well like they're 30 years old with 3 pole motors. I've had some success removing the motor and pushing the engine via a "state-of-the-art" diesel.

Has anybody else done this? What would you recommend as an engine under a 2-8-8-2? Most seem to be either too long or have 4 wheel trucks.

I'm much more interested in the running quality of the engine than I am on prototype fidelity i.e.sideframes that aren't correct etc. Since I have a large railroad and only about 10 hours a week to work on it, I'd prefer to get something that will "drop in" (or at least almost drop in) complete with DCC plug so that I can spend more time on scenery and operation than engine modification.

Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Maybe Try an SW switcher unit. They are fairly short and may fit inside a tender. And the newer ones have the DCC plug you seek to.

James

[Anonymous]

Contact NWSL ( www.NWSL.com ) about their remotoring kits. You can Email them with questions. Much the preferable solution and less time intensive than carving up tenders.

Randy

[Eriediamond]

mecovey, everyone has an opinion on things, some bad, some good. My opinion, is unlees you just want to tinker, I would think it would be cheaper and less stressful to just park the old girls and purchase a new DCC ready loco. In my opinion, you would have a better running and higher quality engine that would maintain it's value. Anyhow, good luck with your project. Ken