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Bachman 44 and 70 ton engines Locos and rolling stock
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Regular poster 382 posts CAR_FLOATER Regular poster 382 posts
CAR_FLOATER

I'm hoping some of the more involved loco "tinkerers" here who are crafty and like to repower or swap shells/frames of one manufacturer between each other can help me answer this one. 

Does anyone know if a Bachmann 44 and 70 ton can interchangeably swap their shells from one frame to another? I ask this because I have a lead on a 70 ton engine with DCC installed, and I have an older non-DCC ready 44 ton. I have no problem spending money to make the switch, and because I have no need of a 70 ton engine. I'm not worried about the truck sideframes themselves (I know they are different), unless they aren't a pop on/pop off match in wheelbase and mechanical design that is, but its more a concern about the size of the frame(s). I'm not set up to mill anything, or shorten (lengthening is a bit easier with styrene mounting pads) by cutting a metal frame to fit.

Hoping that someone here has done this, or something similar at the very least.

Thanks in advance,

Ralph
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Prof_Klyzlr Moderator 7,954 posts
Prof_Klyzlr

No

Dear Ralph,

Short answer is No. The length difference means putting a longer 70-ton mech under a shorter 44-ton body is a no-go. This is esp true with the newer centre-motor mechs, as the motor length cannot be squeezed... and you would be "sectioning into 3 parts, shortening the middle, and recombining to length" because the truck<> truck distance is longer on a 70.

That said, it is entirely a drop-on conversion to put a New 44 mech under an old 44 body, or New 70 mech under an old 70 body, and the New (centre motor, DCC motor/light equipped) models are reasonably available and cost-effective, at least compared to other re-mech options.

Happy Modelling,
Aim to keep them 44 tonners hauling,
Prof Klyzlr
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ctxmf74 Super User 15,937 posts
ctxmf74

  "That said, it is entirely

Quote:

"That said, it is entirely a drop-on conversion to put a New 44 mech under an old 44 body,"

I agree with Prof. I have one of the newer 44 tonners that I bought to test the performance on a tight loop of track ( to model the Harlem Transfer) and I found it could creep around the 12 inch radius just fine. I haven't built the layout so can't speak about the reliability of the engine but initial performance was fine.At one time these engines were pretty cheap with DCC factory  installed but I don't know what they are going for now days.. ...DaveB

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CAR_FLOATER Regular poster 382 posts
CAR_FLOATER

Oh well

Thanks Dave, it was worth a try after all!
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