Bachmann Online Forum

Discussion Boards => Large => Topic started by: Joe Zullo on December 10, 2018, 04:13:54 PM

Title: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: Joe Zullo on December 10, 2018, 04:13:54 PM
I am looking to find the parts diagram for the 45 ton switcher. Does anyone have one they could scan for me?  :-*
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: Joe Zullo on December 16, 2018, 05:23:58 PM
Bill,
Can you give me a little Bachmann history of this loco? I found one and purchased it and it's on it's way to me. #81899
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: the Bach-man on December 16, 2018, 09:37:36 PM
Dear Joe,
The service department should be able to provide that info.
Call (215)533-1600 Ext. 231
Good luck!
the Bach-man
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: Loco Bill Canelos on December 16, 2018, 10:52:58 PM
Hi Joe,

81899   None   None   2003   ~ Loco   GE 45 ton, painted, unlettered   P   1      yellow / black

They came out in 2003 and were not good sellers. they were 1:20.3 and very large next to an Annie.  They run beautifully and i have two of them. I converted one of them into a Box cab and the other is stock.

The detail is great and they look good.  The only fault I know of is that they have the spring loaded contacts between the trucks and the frame.  Back then members were reporting problems with them losing contact and stopping.  I investigated the problem at the time and found that High voltage for long periods tended to fry the springs in the contacts causing the loco to quit running.  Also if one derailed and shorted out the springs could be fried that way. It happened to one of mine.   

The solution is relatively easy.  I removed the spring contacts and hardwired the truck to the chassis. never had a problem since, and like I said it(they) run like a sewing machine!!

Hope you enjoy it!

Bill

I did look for my diagram, but seem to have misplaced it, or I  might have left them in the box, but they are in deep storage where I keep all my empty boxes, and I can't get to them.
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: Joe Zullo on December 17, 2018, 08:59:11 AM
Thanks Bill  :)
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: Loco Bill Canelos on December 17, 2018, 10:10:07 AM
Glad to help Joe!

Here is an image of one of mine converted to a boxcab.

https://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/Boxcab/DSCN8776Medium.jpg.html

I used some of the parts from the original.   My photobucket account is open so when the image comes up you can scroll thru other related images showing how I did it.

Take care,.

Bill
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: charon on December 18, 2018, 08:51:10 AM
Joe;
Did you find a parts diagram yet? If not, I have an extra one I can mail you if you email me your address.
Incidentally, they made four different versions; yellow undecorated, red undecorated, black Midwest Quarry and black AT&SF.
Chuck
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: Joe Zullo on December 19, 2018, 12:41:17 PM
Quote from: charon on December 18, 2018, 08:51:10 AM
Joe;
Did you find a parts diagram yet? If not, I have an extra one I can mail you if you email me your address.
Incidentally, they made four different versions; yellow undecorated, red undecorated, black Midwest Quarry and black AT&SF.
Chuck

Chuck,
Thanks. Check your messages on this site as I cannot see your email address(it's hidden from my view).
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: Loco Bill Canelos on December 20, 2018, 09:15:11 AM
Joe you can send a private message to chuck,  click on that link!
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: charon on December 20, 2018, 10:23:47 AM
Hi Joe and Bill;
Joe I put the exploded parts diagram in the mail this morning.  For what it's worth, the original info on the 45 ton switchers call for a recommended 8 foot diameter circle of track, however I have run them just fine on the 24" radius track,  Enjoy.
Chuck
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: Joe Zullo on December 20, 2018, 11:40:04 AM
Quote from: Loco Bill Canelos on December 20, 2018, 09:15:11 AM
Joe you can send a private message to chuck,  click on that link!
That is what I did and asked Chuck to check his messages in the post above yours.  :o
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: Loco Bill Canelos on December 20, 2018, 01:58:06 PM
Joe sorry about that, Thought you were referring to his lack of email not PM.
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: Joe Zullo on December 20, 2018, 02:52:31 PM
Quote from: charon on December 20, 2018, 10:23:47 AM
Hi Joe and Bill;
Joe I put the exploded parts diagram in the mail this morning.  For what it's worth, the original info on the 45 ton switchers call for a recommended 8 foot diameter circle of track, however I have run them just fine on the 24" radius track,  Enjoy.
Chuck
Chuck,

I have a copy of the article that appeared in Model Railroader November 2003 issue by Jim Hediger. It is a review of this new Bachmann model. It says the minimum radius is 24 inches (4 foot diameter) and it can easily negotiate the sharp curves commonly found on industrial railroads.

On a side note, I have an Aristo RS-3 that easily negotiates my R1 switches better than my 4-6-0 Big Haulers, so I'm not the least bit worried about this 45 tonner handling them well..
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: charon on December 21, 2018, 01:37:02 AM
Joe;
Is there any way you could email or land mail me a copy of that article?  My addresses are both in the letter I sent you.
I don't know why my email address won't show up in my profile.  It is  cfernette@tampabay.rr.com

Chuck
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: Joe Zullo on December 21, 2018, 09:10:12 AM
Chuck,

I emailed it to you.
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: Joe Zullo on December 30, 2018, 09:30:34 PM
My GE 45 ton finally arrived. It is BIG! I had some clearance issues to address. I runs great. I plan on leaving it track powered for the time being. I want to see about retro fitting Kadee couplers on it.  ;D

(https://largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_3173/HDRR/Mighty-Joe.jpg)
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: Loco Bill Canelos on December 31, 2018, 10:26:04 AM
Hey Joe,

Glad you are enjoying your 45 tonner.  Definitely huge when placed next to an annie!!! 

Have fun,

Bill
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: Joe Zullo on January 02, 2019, 09:01:50 AM
Here is a video of it's first revenue run on Jan 1st...

https://youtu.be/evnHCGhBXW4
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: charon on January 02, 2019, 09:43:16 AM
Excellent video, excellent layout.
Thanks, Joe;
Chuck
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: Loco Bill Canelos on January 02, 2019, 12:15:16 PM
She is running great!!!   Love those siderods. Nice layout!

Bill
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: armorsmith on January 02, 2019, 01:32:25 PM
Joe, I highly recommend the Kadee 779 for this application. I would show pics of mine, but until I recover from Hurricane Michael, my trains are in storage. Good luck with this loco, it is a good runner, pulls well and is easy to maintain.

Bob C.
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: Joe Zullo on January 05, 2019, 03:06:50 PM
Quote from: Loco Bill Canelos on December 31, 2018, 10:26:04 AM
Hey Joe,

Glad you are enjoying your 45 tonner.  Definitely huge when placed next to an annie!!!  

Have fun,

Bill

You should see it next to one of my Bachmann Industrial Moguls. They are both 1:20.3 scale !!!!

(https://largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_3173/HDRR/GE%2045T%20vs%20Mogul.JPG)
Title: Re: GE 45 Ton Switcher
Post by: Loco Bill Canelos on January 06, 2019, 08:58:29 AM
Joe,

I never ran mine with my Indie, but it definitely shows how small an Indie is!  One of the reasons I converted one of my 44 tonners to the Boxcab was because I did not like running it with my other trains because of the large size.   As much as I liked the results of the conversion, I felt the boxcab was still too large and so I rarely run it.   If I had thought things thru I should have reduced the width of the chassis, as well as the height.  I was not the first to do a boxcab conversion, and others did it much better than I did by cutting it down.  If I ever decide to convert my other 44 tonner to a boxcab, I will definitely reduce the height and width.

As always keep having fun!

Bill