44 Tonner overhaul

[freedj]

I picked up a used Bachmann 44t that mostly ran, but not consistently enough for my taste.  It would do laps at about 40% throttle and no less.

After taking it apart, breaking one of the side frame mounting pins (doh!), and inspecting the trucks i discovered a few things that were hampering pickup.  There was a thick layer of grease between the trucks and the chassis halves that needed to get removed and the wheel wipers were not sprung enough to always contact both wheels on an axle.  If I pushed the wheel to one side or the other only one of the wipers would make contact.  A short tweak with the tweezers later and the loco crawls around the layout! 

It also seems like its running more slowly than it used to (a good thing) and that doesn't make much sense to me.  I didn't change the gearing and I would expect the dcc wouldn't even notice the extra friction from the wheel wipers. 

All in all, a really positive outcome.

[bbunge]

I have four of these, three purchased new.  My standard procedure is to use CRC cleaner to completely degrease the trucks and lightly degrease the worm gear.  I will adjust the wipers as needed.  I basically run them dry.  Pay special attention to where the contact on the truck rubs against the frame, as that gets dirty very easy and will kill performance because you will only have pick up from one truck.  Expect warm grease to flow out of the upper body as they warm up, so you have repeat the process for every hour or so they run.

Kept clean, I have found them to be very good runners.  If one pulls three cars, two will pull 8-9 cars and three will pull 15-20. 

Bob

[peteski]

About 6 years ago (boy, the time flies!) I posted some  info about improving thsi model.  You might find it helpful.  See https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=32605.0

[central.vermont]

About 6 years ago (boy, the time flies!) I posted some  info about improving thsi model.  You might find it helpful.  See https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=32605.0

I'm still waiting for that board!

Jon   

[peteski]

I'm still waiting for that board!

Jon   

I know!