The GE 44t switcher has been well established as a good workhorse for many years. I am now wondering how the GE 45t switcher compares and if it has performance advantages to warrant spending the extra $50? Anyone had experience with these models, also how well do they hold up to heavy use? Any known operational problems?
I don't have the 45t switcher. I wish I did. From what I have read they are as good if not better than the 44t switcher. The 45t is more of a in plant switcher, while the 44ton gp locomotive. Large railroads used it for switching while short lines used them for road engines.
I have the 45 ton switcher in Bethlehem Steel livery and I think it runs significantly better than my 44 tonner from Bachmann's original run way back in the 90's. It seems smoother at low speed operation. But I wouldn't pay full price for it which is like $125.00...I'd pay $75.00 for it...which is what I paid for mine...I got it from the Favorite Spot on Ebay...and in case you were wondering...yes they are an approved Bachmann dealer. It was well worth my $75.00, but its not worth $125.00. The 44 tonner has an MSRP of $95.00 and I paid $35.00 for mine on sale from my LHS back in the day. But mine isn't DCC ready.
Here's some links to the one I bought
http://cgi.ebay.com/SPECTRUM-HO-DCC-GE45-SWITCHER-BETHLEHEM-TRAIN-85205_W0QQitemZ200396409241QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item2ea88e8999
http://cgi.ebay.com/BACHMANN-SPECTRUM-GE-44-HO-LOCO-TRAIN-YELLOW-80035_W0QQitemZ200396407905QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item2ea88e8461
I do not own any of these but in my opinion, the 45 tonner's trucks look like trucks found on some toy train and the 44 ton trucks look a lot more realistic.
cody
The 45 tonner only had 2 traction motors and the other wheels were connected to the axle with the traction motor by using those side rods. It had 2 - 380 hp diesel engines
(http://www.rgvrrm.org/media/photos/trains/rge1941/RGE1941_Roster.jpg)
Oh okay. So that's why it looks so weird. Thanks for explaining.
cody