I have been jumping back into N gauge with both feet over the past month or so, accumulating loco's and rolling stock to start a layout this fall. In one of my ebay purchases, which seems like it is just about the only way to get B&O passenger and freight cars anymore, I ended up with a Con-Cor PA/PB set that came with a set of heavyweights. They are both powered, in great shape, and run like champs but it happens to be at about 3 times the speed of my newer loco's. After running a Bachmann Spec 2-8-0, 2-6-6-2, and Lifelike E8/9 AB set, I am spoiled by these new smooth slow running engines.
Is there a motor retrofit or gearing change available to slow the PA's down? They can pull as much or more as the newer E8's but throttle control is very touchy, even with the max voltage on the controler turned back (MRC tech 4 350). I'm not sure I am ready to convert to DCC to gain flexibility in controling the loco's, especially after seeing the work involved to convert the PA's. I also have some other older loco's that I have grown fond of that are not easily adapatable to DCC.
Are the newer Kato chassis similar (I am pretty sure Kato made these for ConCor years ago). Could parts from the Kato's be used to update my older loco's?
Is there a motor retrofit or gearing change available to slow the PA's down? They can pull as much or more as the newer E8's but throttle control is very touchy, even with the max voltage on the controler turned back (MRC tech 4 350). I'm not sure I am ready to convert to DCC to gain flexibility in controling the loco's, especially after seeing the work involved to convert the PA's. I also have some other older loco's that I have grown fond of that are not easily adapatable to DCC.
Are the newer Kato chassis similar (I am pretty sure Kato made these for ConCor years ago). Could parts from the Kato's be used to update my older loco's?
