Has anyone tried using a Broadway Limited E7 shell with a KATO E8/9 mechanism? How about the reverse - using a KATO E8/9 shell with a Broadway Limited E7 mechanism? Does one manufacturer's shell fit onto the other's mechanism without surgery? Anyones insights regarding swapping these two manufacturers' ALCO PA shells and mechanisms would also be welcome.
Hmmm... Let me guess why you are asking this question... You bought a Broadway Limited Imports A/B set of E7's... and you want to power the B unit with a Kato E8/9 mechanism because you don't want to spend another $$FREAK'N$$ amount of money to get a powered B unit from BLI... right??? Cause... that was what I was thinking of doing with my E7B's and PB's from BLI.... but then I decided to spend the $#@$*@#)^#@& on the extra E7B and PB from BLI and never checked to see if the shell/mechanism thing would work. MY GUESS IS... NO... even though I haven't tried... the latching method of Kato is not the same as BLI and the likelihood is they will at least not fit properly. But at least we were thinking alike... am I right???
Hmmm... kind of like wearing very expensive Air Jordan sneakers with the cheapest Wal-Mart sweat suit you can find... and saying that you did it because the colors matched.
Close but no cigar!! I have yet to purchase any BLI locos. I don't use DCC nor do I covet sound. I would consider buying a BLI shell should one become available in a road name/scheme that appealed to me (and wasn't offered by KATO) and powering it with a KATO mechanism. That is, if it can be done without major surgery. From what I've read about BLI locos, they're not exactly trouble free. Kind of like certain makes of automobiles - most people have few problems, but a lemon is sold once in a while. I recently tried a BLI loco out on my hobby shop's test track. Much to the chegrin of the shop owner, it just sat there regardless of the power applied. DCC issue?? I just as soon not have to find out.
So far I own 4 BLI locos, 2-E8s, and 2-PA1s, IMO they run much better than a Kato loco. The BLI run super smooth at low speeds were the Kato locos will surge, (speed up and slow down).
Quick answer: BLI shells will NOT fit over Kato frames -- the BLI shell is thicker, tho I suppose if you did a lot of filing and shaving it might work. Not sure about how the nose would fit the frame. Kato shells fit on BLI frames, tho they are a little loose. I did this try-out with the first BLI E units made, the E7s, and I don't know if BLI has changed the frame structure since.
I got out a Kato E8A and a Broadway Limited dummy E7A and gave it a try. The answer to the question "Can it be done without surgery?" is no. There are some bosses at the bottom of the Kato mechanism that make it too wide to go into the BLI body shell. Going the other way interestingly enough, the BLI mechanism has spots that are too wide to go into the Kato body shell. Also the BLI A unit mechanism has the front coupler mounted on it and you would probably have to saw that off to clear the front coupler on the Kato body shell. I think a BLI body shell could be fitted onto the Kato drive with a little careful grinding/filing, but it would probably have to be a press fit without any other way to hold it on. As I said, the BLI unit I have is a dummy, so I don't know about the fit on a unit with a powered mechanism. I also don't have any B units, so I can't say if they would fit, but that would probably alleviate the coupler issue at least.
Thanks Mark H. for taking the time and effort to research my issue!!! This is exactly the information I was looking for. If I decide to save up for one of BLI's new E7's, I'd be using it without DCC. Would I still be able to utilize the sound effects or does sound only function using DCC???
I just finished doing an ALCo PB shell swap from a BLI dummy to a BLI powered unit. The dummy unit frame is exactly the same as the powered unit... all motor parts and electronics would fit into the dummy unit chassis. The dummy PB trucks DO NOT have gears. Don't buy a dummy unit expecting to get geared trucks. So... here's the scoop on the Kato PB to BLI PB shell/mechanism swap. Kato PB shell/dummy BLI PB chassis: The Kato unit, as mentioned before, has a unique shell latching method which uses the window glazing as the tabs to clip onto the Kato chassis. IF you remove the glazing from the Kato PB unit it... the shell will slide onto the dummy BLI chassis... but not very well. It will be loose on the dummy BLI PB unit and ride low. On a powered unit it will likely press against the PC board/speaker unevenly... so there will probably have to be some filler material (thin foam) inserted to even the fit... but will still be loose. I didn't try this... not sure I want to risk damaging a working BLI powered unit. BLI PB shell/powered Kato PB chassis: The BLI shell is narrower than the Kato chassis... so the fit is tight and bulges out slightly in the middle (~ 1/16")... it does not line-up very well either because the Kato chassis is taller and not tapered at the top... which is that way on the BLI chassis because the PC board/Speaker is narrower... and the BLI chassis is not as tall. I haven't done the E7's yet... but would imagine... since Kato uses the window glazing latching on the E units as well... there would be similar issues.
