N scale FM H-12-44 experiences

[Albert in N]

   This saga began in 1972 when I added a new MiniTrix H-12-44 N scale switcher to my modest first N layout.  Although it was labeled and lettered Santa Fe, the blue was pale bright blue and the yellow was pale like Easter egg colors.  Also, the only headlight was on the cab end.  In 1973 I saw a real H-12-44 Santa Fe switcher parked on a siding just off a city street near downtown Amarillo TX.  It was idling and making the most awful rattling sound I had ever heard on a real railroad locomotive at idle.  I did not know about the opposed piston power at the time I heard it.  Anyway, I took a photo of it with my old 120 roll film (2 1/4 inch by 2 1/4 inch negative) camera using my exposure meter.  Later at home, I acquired decals, Testors brush paint, and unfortunately a Floquil clear dull finish coat.  Anyway, the paint and decals looked good to me.  After dry for several days, I coated it with the Floquil.  When dry, the Zylene solvent crazed the surface of the underlying Testors enamel.  Memory seems that I traded it off to another modeler who wanted it.  30 years later at a Dallas area train show, I found this nice MiniTrix switcher in Santa Fe zebra stripes.  The seller claimed it was a factory paint job, but I suspect it was done by a modeler who knew how to paint, decal, and finish coat the right way.  It is an early N design locomotive with single cab end headlight, over size hand rails, H-10-44 side louvre vents, and frosted plastic windows.  So far no other common N scale models have appeared of the FM H-12-44 switcher.  Yes, I will keep it and enjoy it for what it is.
Real Switcher digital photo of the photo I took back in 1973:

Two photos of my N scale MiniTrix switcher:

[thomasjmdavis]

Here's mine- #529.  Picked it up years ago second hand.  Either the Trix folks made a version without the outer railings, or the previous owner did a heck of a job- there is no evidence anywhere that it ever had railings. (Note that the ATSF prototype photos do not show the railings either- just a grab wrapped around the hood.  Silver zebra (not sure whether that is correct or they should be white- I think I have a Warbonnet somewhere with details on ATSF FM units, need to check).  Also need to figure out how to get a decoder into it somehow.

[nkalanaga]

I also have one of those, from the early 70s.  Painted for my mining company, it's still in use today, as their yard switcher.  It runs surprisingly well for not having a flywheel. 

[SP-Wolf]

One of my H-12-44's
Minitrix on a Bachmann NW-2 chassis



Thanks,
Wolf

[cjm413]

There is a Micro-Trains pilot conversion kit that fits with a little bit of filing, but I can't remember which one it was....

[Cajonpassfan]

Wolf, that is nice!
Otto

[thomasjmdavis]

@SP-Wolf

Great job on your SP version.  I doubt mine will ever get that far in terms of detail, but the one thing I have to do is to address the flanges if it is going to run on the planned C55 layout.

EDIT (see following posts)
Did you change out the wheels on your H12 to correct the flange depth?  If so, what replacements did you use?

I think mine with original flanges would be cutting through the ties on your track.  Which reminds me why it is in the "when I get a round tuit" box instead of in the "figure out how to get a decoder into it" box.

[johnb]

@SP-Wolf

Great job on your SP version.  I doubt mine will ever get that far in terms of detail, but the one thing I have to do is to address the flanges if it is going to run on the planned C55 layout.

Did you change out the wheels on your H12 to correct the flange depth?  If so, what replacements did you use?

I think mine with original flanges would be cutting through the ties on your track.  Which reminds me why it is in the "when I get a round tuit" box instead of in the "figure out how to get a decoder into it" box.

he swapped out the entire drive...it's a Bachmann NW2

[thomasjmdavis]

he swapped out the entire drive...it's a Bachmann NW2

DOH!

I knew that when I read it.  Somehow, between then and writing, well....

Oh, wait.... I've been taking my doctor's advice and cutting back on caffeine.  That could explain a lot. 

Hmmmm... well, anyway... does anyone have an easy axle or wheel swap for the original Trix drive that would result in flanges compatible with C55 track.

[DKS]

We need @atsf_arizona to chime in with his.

[nickelplate759]

Might this work?  I don't have  the mechanism here to check.

https://nwsl.com/collections/geared-wheelsets/products/n-scale-wheelset-40-72-1-5mm-x-0-445-flush-axle-with-12t-spur-gear-4-pkg

[learmoia]

Con-Cor released these in a bunch of new schemes in the 1980s..
Conrail (repeat of Minitrix)
Milwaukee (orange and black vs Minitrix Orange)
PRR
UP
Santa Fe (Blue and Yellow AND Zebra)
SP (Black and Bloody Nose)
Southern
And supposedly CSX and NS too

Likewise, the U28C was released in:
Rock Island
Conrail
Santa Fe (Freight and Passenger)
BN
SP
UP
CSX and NS

[thomasjmdavis]

Might this work?  I don't have  the mechanism here to check.

https://nwsl.com/collections/geared-wheelsets/products/n-scale-wheelset-40-72-1-5mm-x-0-445-flush-axle-with-12t-spur-gear-4-pkg

Does look like it would work (pending a double check by taking the truck apart to measure the existing parts).  Given the price, though, I think maybe I should go the NW-2 route....

[nkalanaga]

Mine currently has NWSL wheels/gears, so they did make a set for it.  Whether it's currently available I don't know.

The original wheels aren't hard to turn down with a file.  I didn't even take the wheelsets apart on the Fs I did, and they're the same design.  Just push the insulated wheel against the gear, chuck the whole thing in a motor tool, and very carefully file both flanges.  Check your progress frequently with an NMRA gauge, and be VERY careful not to file the gear!  When done, regauge the wheels.

[mecgp7]

A little off topic, but here is a custom Alco HH660 that fits the Minitrix FM chassis. I bought this shell years ago and never got around to finishing it. Good to know the Bachmann NW2 is an option for power. The NW2 wasn't even available at the time.
The shell is not an exact match to the HH660 and maybe it is a different loco altogether, but the main spotting features are there for the 660 which is good enough for me.
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