Revised Model Power 4-4-0?

[peteski]

I too said it was a drop-in, but I'm not an so why'd I bother?
Anyway, to confirm I just dug out the original driver and my spare MP pacific traction driver.
(note-I've never owned the pacific, so no mix-ups here)
They match, and the gears on the two drivers mesh just fine.

Right, Tony said it first, then you confirmed it. Then on the opposite side, I said that axle swap was needed and oldrk confirmed it.    This has nothing to do with being an  I believe you, but then I also remember that my conversion was not a drop in.  For my own piece of mind I'll have to dig up my parts to see why I needed to do the extra work.  IIRC, Daniel L. had an article published in the N-Scale Magazine few years back, and that the conversion was not a simple swap.  But that might have been the MP 4-6-0, not 4-4-0.  I guess I just don't remember the details of those conversions well enough to be 100% certain about all of this.  I'll post my findings as soon as I can dig the stuff out of the pile of my unfinished projects. 

[rogergperkins]

What about adding a DCC decoder? Anyone done it? Which one and how? Thanks.
Purchased the set for cars and caboose.

[peteski]

What about adding a DCC decoder? Anyone done it? Which one and how? Thanks.
Purchased the set for cars and caboose.

It will be relatively easy since all the electric pickup and motor leads are routed to the tender (through the drawbar). The decoder can easily fit in the tender.  The only problem is the headlight. It is connected directly to the power pickups on the front of the locomotive.  But if you don't mind the headlight being alway on, the DCC conversion is a breeze.

[rogergperkins]

Thank, Peteski.
I am not concerned about head light functionality.
I would like to have a DCC functioning locomotive.
You say it is easy, but I do not know what the means in terms of detail for installation.
Thanks

[spookshow]

There are color coded wires in the tender for track power and motor control. Simply solder the appropriate decoder wires to the tender wires and you're done.



Cheers,
-Mark

[peteski]

There are color coded wires in the tender for track power and motor control. Simply solder the appropriate decoder wires to the tender wires and you're done.



Cheers,
-Mark

To be specific: red, black, orange, and gray. In the tender, disconnect orange from red and gray from black. Then attach those 4 wires to the like-colored wires in the decoder.

[Kiasutha]

Right, Tony said it first, then you confirmed it. Then on the opposite side, I said that axle swap was needed and oldrk confirmed it.    This has nothing to do with being an  I believe you, but then I also remember that my conversion was not a drop in.  For my own piece of mind I'll have to dig up my parts to see why I needed to do the extra work.  IIRC, Daniel L. had an article published in the N-Scale Magazine few years back, and that the conversion was not a simple swap.  But that might have been the MP 4-6-0, not 4-4-0.  I guess I just don't remember the details of those conversions well enough to be 100% certain about all of this.  I'll post my findings as soon as I can dig the stuff out of the pile of my unfinished projects. 

Peteski:
AFAIK MP doesn't make a 4-6-0; maybe you mean the Pacific or the Mogul?
I think installing the traction driver proved to be a PITA on all the MP steamers.
I know at the time, some folks talked about pulling drivers off the axle- in place- just to avoid taking them apart and dealing with the internal part of those "darned" flimsy wheel wipers. Not for me...

I didn't have a choice anyway. Mine arrived with a hitch in the mech.
After eliminating anything external, I opened it up and found a piece of plastic "flash" that was getting into the gears.
Putting it back together was a pain because of the wipers, but worked.
Problem solved but it didn't pull for...That's when I ordered the drivers for/from the Pacific.
When I took it apart the second time, I took the wipers off the loco and put Kato trucks on the tender.
I figure that avoided future problems, and it runs just fine. Pulls over 2 dozen loaded hoppers too.

BTW, my smallest micrometer just fits between the wheel backs and confirms the gears are the same D.

[wazzou]

MP = 4-6-2, Bachmann = 4-6-0.

[rogergperkins]

To be specific: red, black, orange, and gray. In the tender, disconnect orange from red and gray from black. Then attach those 4 wires to the like-colored wires in the decoder.

Thanks for picture and directions, look very straight forward.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

4-4-0 - Pacific have the same drivers.

The Mike and 2-6-0 share a smaller driver.

The TT driver is a drop in replacement but due to a assembly issue (over torqued screws and delicate wipers) it is much easier to pull the wheels from the axles and press fit them in place which is the subject of my article.

[rogergperkins]

I checked my inventory and discovered I have Model Power item# 7623 which is a 4-4-0.
Where does it fit in the scheme of things relative to the 4-4-0 in  the MTL B&O weather set?
I want to get a decoder installed in it and am hoping the TCS MC2 shown will can be installed per previous posts.

[spookshow]

Only the 4-4-0's sold by Micro-Trains have the traction tires and improved pickup. But as far as the DCC wiring in the tender goes, that is the same for all versions.

-Mark

[rogergperkins]

Thank, Mark.
What is the process for getting the shell off the tender?
I hire someone to install my decoders, so want to provide that instruction, too.

[spookshow]

Thank, Mark.
What is the process for getting the shell off the tender?
I hire someone to install my decoders, so want to provide that instruction, too.

It pulls right off. No screws or clips or anything.

-Mark

[rogergperkins]

Simple tender shell removal. 
I purchased the B&O set after reading this thread and it arrived yesterday.
I am pleased with the set, but one small detail that puzzles me are the coal loads in the hoppers.
These coal loads do NOT meet my expectations for the Micro-Trains Line brand.
I think the cars look much better with a different coal load with a finer grade of coal and a more prototype shape to the load.