So, I have a project in mind but I know nothing of the quality of this model or how easy it would be to convert one to DCC use. All of that aside, if any of you all have one, I could sure use the following measurements: - Distance from the center of the first axle to the center of the last axle - Diameter of the drive wheels Failing that, I'll just have to go buy one. Reference info for my use for later: http://home.comcast.net/~orrrbrit/decoders/switcher.html http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66_70_110
The later releases in the larger hard plastic case are much better than the earlier ones. It's not the best running engine out there, but it's not that bad anymore. Previous versions had the infamous 'two speeds: stop and fast'.
So what's your project? I'm always interested in anything Critter. If I wanted to do something three-axle, I think I'd try to power a Kato or Atlas diesel truck.
The project is a MILW EF-1. From just lining things up from photographs, the MDT looks like it has the closest driver size and axle spacing (if I drop the middle axle). I'm going to have to pick one up from somewhere cheap and make some measurements. The plan would be to get two of the MDTs for strictly the chassis, shave them down a good bit and overlay a very nice shell. If I can get the motors to cooperate well, I bet it would pull quite a bit of freight. The goal would really be to make an EF-3/EF-5, but modular so hook as many up as I can. Actually, I might have the nomenclature wrong. I want to do two 2-B-B Boxcabs with multiple B-B helpers between them.
if you get one with the early open frame motor- you can get a 5-pole spectrum motor from the b-mann for about $16USD It fits perfectly once you grind back the frame terminals a bit. I have switched several and they creep along much better. set up the frames, motor and worm and test run it BEFORE you cut the rear shaft off. the guys at my club are kind of disappointed with their can motor MDT's- at least after they saw mine run. I added a couple of metal dock bumpers and extended couplers so they will pull a boatload now. the bumpers were heavy enough to allow me to cut the frame tops and put windows and an engineer in it. the the original motors all smoked themselves which led to the 5-pole swap. its a spectrum motor from the GE dash-8 (and one of the worms). i thought i cleaned them out but they still show up on the site. get em while theyre cheap. I suppose you could cut the frame halves out like I did and put your board there.
oh, I forgot to tell you that without the center axle power in the MDT chassis, there's no way to power the rear axle. not sure if that matters to you. I suppose its possible to just omit the center wheels so there is still four-wheel power. peculiar project. i know your post is old, but if you need that info- the distance between front and rear axle is 21mm. good luck! rc
