Hi Guys,i was wondering if anyone would know where i could find a motor and drive for Bachmann HO Metroliner or if there is something like a doodlebug or something like that i could use the Motor and drive to re-vamp this Metroliner.
Bachmann HO Metroliner
- Thread starter Harold Cole
- Start date
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Hi Guys,i was wondering if anyone would know where i could find a motor and drive for Bachmann HO Metroliner or if there is something like a doodlebug or something like that i could use the Motor and drive to re-vamp this Metroliner.
lol, i'm in worse of a position, i need to find a single geared wheel set. I have an original bachmann powered metroliner car. You probably are going to have to bite the bullet and go for one on ebay (which i know is an exercise in futulity because even junked units still sell for far more than they were ever worth new), or search trainshows like i did.
There isn't a whole lot you can do, unless you want to sacrafice the underbody detail. I wouldn't use a doodle bug, but an RDC frame might work. Then all you'd have to do is switch the side frames out, and see if you can't move the under body details over.
the main problem is that the original first run (and in my opinion the best run) of metroliners that had all wheel pickup/drive, had some really weird drive train with vertical drive shaft to each truck. I think the second run had similar set up except with a weird coupler gearbox set up instead of draw bars (they also removed some of the details present in the first run). After that, bachmann switched to single truck pancake motors and horn hooks, and plastic pantographs. Depending on your run, your metroliner might be easier or harder to repower.
Your best bet is to find an old powered car, and replace its motor with a modern one. It can be done, the only reason i haven't already is because i haven't had the time.
Is there any possibility of using the drive mechanism out of a Tyco Chantanooga Choo Choo unit? That set had a drive in the tender , worked faily well , they are cheap & might be able to be modified to work.
Check with Northwest Shortline. The have a number of compact motor/gearbox/wheel combinations for various odd ball applications.
I'm not familiar with the unit,but i'll have to say no. I really am not sure how to mount motors in passenger equipment like that without a whole lot of work.
Also, i'm not pleased with NWSL because their power trucks are to boxu to look realistic on EMUs. Its even worse in the case of EMUs without side frames, because then you can see the boxyness where there should be nothing.
Your best bet is to just find a power car. they are out there if you look.
Also, i'm not pleased with NWSL because their power trucks are to boxu to look realistic on EMUs. Its even worse in the case of EMUs without side frames, because then you can see the boxyness where there should be nothing.
Your best bet is to just find a power car. they are out there if you look.
Well i was able to fix Both Metroliner Power Units quickly,the only problems they had was there were several broken axels.I went through some of my junk parts and found enough axels and gears to repair what i had .The motors are a tad noisy,but they run Great.So now i don't have to salvage my Proto RDC's.
Those Atlas wheelsets are much to big! Metroliners run on the smaller sized wheels, roughly the same size as the wheels on the Amfleets (I'm guessing they are 36"? 33"?). A diesel switcher's wheelset is 40". If it works, it works, but I still think i need to find a smaller wheelset.
I see that you are an Electric Traction Fan.I just happen to work in the Philadelphia E.T. Dept.
Yeah, i do like the Heavy Electrics! Its taking me forever to get anything done with it though. i can't seem to settle on a strategy for catenary construction.
Oh, i see this stuff in person all the time.
For me, there are three options.
One is to make "close enough" catenary using some spare rails and steel music wire.
The second is to scratchbuild in more detail via plans i have from a "Pennsy Modeler" Newsletter i have,
the third is to break down and buy Model Memory's kits.
Any one of these will probably yeild a catenary system that works, but i don't know which direction I want to go in.
For me, there are three options.
One is to make "close enough" catenary using some spare rails and steel music wire.
The second is to scratchbuild in more detail via plans i have from a "Pennsy Modeler" Newsletter i have,
the third is to break down and buy Model Memory's kits.
Any one of these will probably yeild a catenary system that works, but i don't know which direction I want to go in.
They haven't had that in stock in years, i've been watching it myself. Hopefully, they'll get those Stemman pantographs in soon.
Hi ,i'll have to make a correction as to the size wheel sets i used.They were not 36",they were 40"wheel sets and it looks as if they are hard to find.NWSL lists 40" wheel sets but are temp out of stock,so i'll have to wait till they come back in stock to replace all of the ones on the powered units.
Hi ,i'll have to make a correction as to the size wheel sets i used.They were not 36",they were 40"wheel sets and it looks as if they are hard to find.NWSL lists 40" wheel sets but are temp out of stock,so i'll have to wait till they come back in stock to replace all of the ones on the powered units.
Well, if you can't find 40"s, don't use them, because they are the wrong size.
the Metroliner EMUs use the smaller Wheel diameter. I'm pretty sure they are 33" in real life, and you could probably get away with 36". 40" is just WAY to big in diameter, they are meant for road switchers. Find smaller wheels.