Spectrum GE-44 ton

GuthrieCenterCentral Dec 7, 2000

  1. GuthrieCenterCentral

    GuthrieCenterCentral New Member

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    Hello, I recently purchased a Spectrum GE 44 tonner, after about an hour of use on my layout one set of wheels went out of gauge. I readjusted by twisting as described in Model RR's engine maintenance book. Unfortunately they continue go out of gauge (too wide) after about 5 minutes of continuing running. Any experience with this particular model and or any suggestions?

    Thanks to all. ------------------


    01-04-01
    Just an update...
    1st, I readjusted as suggested by the 2nd posting, and applied liquid zap and the capillary action did the rest! I haven't had a derailment since (30 days now and counting).

    2nd, My 2 44 Tonners now run great even when lashed up together, not much "fighting" between the two ( standard cab control ).

    3rd, I also got 2 70 Tonners and they both run great individually and lashed up together.
    Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and comments. Nice photo of the RTR!!

    [This message has been edited by GuthrieCenterCentral (edited 04 January 2001).]
     
  2. Fred

    Fred TrainBoard Member

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    Got both the GE70t & GE44t a while back, haven't had any problems with either one of them and operate on code 70 rail.
     
  3. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    If you have the one with the plastic half-axel/hubs, on a steel axel, re-twist back into gauge, BUT do lay a small straight edge along the side of front and rear wheels to be sure the set in front is not off-set to one side in relation to the set in the rear. You may have to twist BOTH wheels into alignment. Once you have this done, there should be just a hair line showing at the middle of the rear axel. Carefully just touch a toothpick in Testor's plastic model liquid cement to this crack. Capillary action will carry the solvent into the crack, welding the two halves together. MAKE SURE you have ALIGNMENT, and correct GAUGE before applying the cement. After an over-night setup, you can move the engine back onto its wheels. Do not put a whole drop of cement, it could drop down into the gears, which are just plastic now days, and glue the works solid! Check the little tire wipers up on the top inside of the wheels to make sure they are touching all 4 wheels. Should run like new.

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    Watash #982 [​IMG]
     
  4. StickyMonk

    StickyMonk TrainBoard Member

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    <font color="336633">I had this same trouble with a Spetrum GP30, also the metal pin that holds the gears in was a lose fit and kept moving, it basically comes down to a poor drive train, i am concidering repowering my 30 with a Kato GP35 chassis, but there is not much you can do with the 44T, maybe there is a NWSL PDT you could use...</font>

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    Matthew
    wheres all the C636's????
    [​IMG]

    stickymonk.com
    Matts Photo gallery
    TrainBoard member #257
     
  5. tunnel88

    tunnel88 TrainBoard Member

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    The best scheme the 44 ever wore was the gold and black of the Rio Grande... but i don't think they lasted too long in it.
     
  6. Rappannahock Terminal

    Rappannahock Terminal E-Mail Bounces

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    I had also a problem with the 44 tonner,when new smoke came out of one of the motors.

    i sent an email to Bachmann and within 10 days I got a new one [​IMG]

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    Paul the 2nd
    Paul Van Herwegen
    HO Rappannahock Terminal Railway
    G Emerald Valley RR
    [​IMG]
    http://users.pandora.be/paul.van.herwegen/
     
  7. SteveB

    SteveB TrainBoard Member

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    A friend of mine at Tennessee Model Hobbies said that there had been many complaints about this engine. If we are talking about the same engine, the twin motors can work against each other. One customer returned his unit when the two motors pulled in opposite directions. Otherwise it is a sharp unit, and still on my wish list.
     
  8. Rappannahock Terminal

    Rappannahock Terminal E-Mail Bounces

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  9. friscobob

    friscobob Staff Member

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    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SteveB:
    A friend of mine at Tennessee Model Hobbies said that there had been many complaints about this engine. If we are talking about the same engine, the twin motors can work against each other. One customer returned his unit when the two motors pulled in opposite directions. Otherwise it is a sharp unit, and still on my wish list.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    I haven't heard any complaints, but I've had pretty good luck with my two 44-tonners. They run slow, pull just a few cars (as did the real ones), and are IMHO the best diesel Bachmann ever made (haven't tested the 70-tonners).
    By all means, buy one (or two)! [​IMG]



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    Southeast....Southwest..
    Ship IT on the Frisco!
    Bob T.
    Member # 362
    http://hometown.aol.com/slsf1630/myhomepage/profile.html
     

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