A Bachmann USRA 0-6-0 followed me home, can I keep it?

[wm3798]

I'm not sure either of them are an improvement.
I ended up cutting that backer off when I did my installation.
I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow (I'm upstairs in my office, and the trains are down in the basement)

I'll also try to dig out the surplus motor I have for you to look at.
Lee

[JMaurer1]

I would also look for a motor with a skewed armature as well. That's going to run better than any straight arm would, especially at low speeds.

[mmagliaro]

My suggestion is to look for the circa 2000 Bachmann 2-8-0 5-pole motor.  THAT would be a big improvement.
As for fitting it in there, how game are you to cut on the frame?   There's room there at the front end of the motor to trim some frame away so you can slide the motor further forward, so it won't stick out the back.  That will also help the balance of the engine, as that engine is horribly overweighted at the back where motor is.

The 5-pole Bachmann motor is still available for about $15:
https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70_80&products_id=322

Here's a measured drawing of it, to see how it might fit.  Believe me, this motor is head and shoulders above any of those
older 3 pole Bachmann motors.

[Slim Rail Mike]

 Today I took the spectrum trucks apart, to attach wires to the metal pieces. Also made some bushings from some kingpin adapters, at least that is what I think they were. The trucks are still a trifle tight, a bit of filing is required.











I’ll wait on cutting the frame for now. I did ordered two Bachmann motors. One motor to go in the 0-6-0. The other motor to go in the vintage 2-8-0 I pulled the motor in the photo from. That is if it ever gets resuscitated.


Michael

[wm3798]

Here's my unstallation.
installation.

In this image you can see that I changed the worm gear back to the original part from the 0-6-0.





I also fabricated a new drawbar post, and filed down the original drawbar to work with the new tender.  You can also see that I tucked some lead behind the cylinders to balance the weight better.



There is a bit of motor hanging out the back, but at normal viewing angles it doesn't bother me.

Lee

[mmagliaro]

Kudos, Lee.  That's nice work.  You hit all the important points - the motor, forward weight, and the tender pickup.

[spookshow]

If adapting one of Bachmann's ala carte "all wheels live" tenders, one way to get the drawbar to line up with the pegs on the locomotive chassis is to flip it upside down. A little judicious grinding of the tender chassis will provide the requisite pivot room -





-Mark

[wm3798]

If adapting one of Bachmann's ala carte "all wheels live" tenders, one way to get the drawbar to line up with the pegs on the locomotive chassis is to flip it upside down. A little judicious grinding of the tender chassis will provide the requisite pivot room -

-Mark

That works with the current release model, but on the original 1970 drive, you have a plastic post at the back of the locomotive, so it's easier to hardwire the tender and use the OEM plastic drawbar.  The hole at the bolster end needs to be opened up so it swings freely, and I think I had to file it down to be a bit thinner as well.  Then I heated it with a soldering iron a bit to bend it so it goes up a wee bit to catch the engine peg.

Lee

[wm3798]

I did find that I have a couple of the 5 pole motors, but the shafts are short.  Not sure what models they came from.
You might be able to scab an extension on, but I'm not sure how reliable that would be.
Lee

[Slim Rail Mike]

The new Bachmann 5 pole motors arrived. The spectrum trucks are on the tender and the decoder is wired and tested with the new motor.
With a little judicious filing the motor slides into the frame. Didn’t have a gear puller, so cobbled one up from a small C clamp and a dill bit. I am no machinist! Pressing the old worm gear on to the new motor, with another c clamp, I bent the shaft. Dumb. I straightened it the best I could but there is now a little vibration  when the motor runs. Bummer. If anyone would care to enlighten me as how to do it right for next time, I would welcome it.
The mechanism runs when tested with a 9v batteries. Went to fit the shell on the frame, there is an issue.the top forward edge of the motor interferes with where the cab and the boiler meet.
I think I can remove a little from the inside of the shell. And then shave back the corners of the motor for the rest. What do you think?
















Michael

[Slim Rail Mike]

The solution to the cab not fitting over the motor, was solved by the Southern Pacific. Looking at photos of SP's 0-6-0s, they had a longer cab that extends toward the sand dome.
Here is a link to an example  on "SP Modeler" web site    http://espee.railfan.net/nonindex/steam-01/1278_sp-steam-s12-mike_hoffman.jpg .

  Just the prototype look I'm seeking.

[bbunge]

For the newer B-man 0-6-0's, you have the motor on upside down - a screw from the bottom of the frame holds the motor in place.  I did something similar as you did with a recent project as far as the tender trucks and it's worked great. I was concerned the wires would limit or stiffen the truck motion and cause tracking problems.  I replaced the very light weight (aluminum?) supplied weight with several tungsten cubes to help with the tracking - especially when backing up, something you would expect a switcher to do.

Bob

[wm3798]

Nice work.  Curious why you didn't just use the bronze wipers in the tender for pick up?
Or did you just swap the trucks to the original tender? (I may have missed that if you posted it already)
Lee

[NDave]

The Bachmann tender trucks pick up current from ALL wheels using low friction bearing contacts... thus, more wheels picking up current and lower friction than the stock MP tender trucks using axle wipers.

But, the MP Vanderbilt tender doesn't have the  phosphor bronze contact strips to collect power from the Bachmann trucks, so the trucks have to be "hard-wired" to the tender  electrical circuitry (which is, IMO, much more reliable, anyway)...

[Slim Rail Mike]

@bbunge
 Yes the motor is upside down, that threaded nibbin won't allow the motor to sit flat on the frame. The motor is a snug fit and would likely stay in place by itself, but the front wipers assembly will hold the motor in. (not installed in the photo) The trucks had long projections that were supposed to press against some contact strips. The shape on the tender precluded that method. I am hoping there is enough slack in the wires to not overly inhibit the truck motion.

@wm3798
  Yes I just swapped the trucks. The new spectrum trucks with the axle point contact roll like a dream. The stock trucks went in the box for another project.

   The front top edges of the motor is going to be exposed through the boiler when I've removed enough material for the shell to sit correctly. The upcoming new cab will cover it. Need to make a new draw bar that is offset lower under the cab,and a bit shorter so there isn't as much space between the loco and the tender. I am collecting parts to detail the 0-6-0.

 A Frankenstein engine for Halloween.   

Michael