I just purchased my 2nd 44 tonner, and I noticed some differences between them with regard to the trucks. One loco has 5 gears visible on the bottom of the trucks, and is quiet during operation. The other loco has 3 gears visible on the bottom of the truck, and is pretty noisy during operation. Can u explain the differences between the 2 locos? Also, which is the later version. Is one better than the other, and can I up grade to the latest model. Great looking loco, and it fits my switching layout nicely.
I don't own the early version, but I know it had two motors, and there seemed to be gear problems with that one.
My newer version 44 tonner is a good runner, as you say. It has gotten a little noisier over the years, but still runs very well. I suspect there may be a small gear with a small crack, but as long as it keeps running, I won't go breaking it down to search for the culprit.
Regards,
Jonathan
Has Bachmann improved the 44 toner the last one I had suffered with cracked gears?
My 2 brand new 44s have 5 gears. Very quiet. Extreme slow speed capable, less than 1 MPH !! They top out at about 30 MPH, just slightly higher than prototype. They have DCC motor boards factory installed. Don't stall on my
Peco insulfrog either. Hurrah!