Repowering N-Scale RSD-15's

[Anonymous]

I have a small collection of high-nose Alco RSD-15's in N-scale, which are horrible runners as they were manufactured by AHM (now out of production). I need to find a way to get a Kato-quality motor into them, so I was wondering if anyone else out there has accomplished this. I have tried the Trix U-28 approach, but the wheelbase is slightly too long, which prevents the trucks from rotating freely, in addition to just looking awkward (like Marklin's Z-scale equipment; the trucks just aren't where they should be, and you just know it...)

[Anonymous]

Hello, Avondaleguy,

Have you checked out Sagami's line of motors? There was an article in the December 1986 Model Railroader about repowering an AHM N scale C420, which I think had a similar mechanism to the RSD-15. If memory serves, the author used a Sagami motor to replace the AHM motor.

If you don't have this issue, you can order it http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/mrr861201.html.

Hope this helps,

Paul Schmidt
Contributing Editor
Trains.com

[Anonymous]

Thanks, that does help. I think I remember that article, too; I had just begun to subscribe in '86. Which means that I do have the article, somewhere, but now I have changed my residence at least five times, and who can say what condition the mag will be in? Still, those old MR's are like bibles, you just NEVER throw one away.

I'm hesitant to do a can motor, even if it runs great, because it still means supplying power to the same drive mechanism and wheels, and getting that power via an inadequate pickup system; plus, I would miss out on the benefits of split-halves metal frames (a high-nose RSD-15 is a beast, and it should weigh in like one!). Someone else mentioned an Atlas offering, which I believe was an RSD-4/5, and I know they've also done Trainmasters and U-boats, but do any of these have a correct wheelbase? I can replace the sideframes easily.

[Anonymous]

Hello, Avondaleguy,

I wish I had an Atlas RSD-4/5 and an old RSD-15 here to compare the wheelbase lengths. However, that is an excellent idea for a conversion. Even if the wheelbase is off one or two feet either direction (long or short) it won't be that noticeable in N scale, and payoff would be worth it.

Anyone got a couple of these units for comparison?

Paul Schmidt
Contributing Editor
Trains.com