anyone have an idea of when this is coming out, the 44 Tonner N scale I mean?
Sometime this Century, I hope. I have already cancelled my pre-ordered ones. >:(
This is almost like a repeat of the Russian Decapod and Ten-Wheeler fiasco....
Dear RL,
They are currently on the water. I'll let you know when they ship from Philly.
Have fun!
the Bach-man
Okay, okay -- let's not get crazy here -- you can't tell me that once you see one of those cute little things you won't be snapping them up. Come on, how could you resist? Your heart will melt when you first see these little guys pulling a freight car or two. ;)
They are six months late -- I want to see them, too. But, fortunately they are unlike the Decapod -- at least they are not cancelled.
Quote from: Franz T on May 03, 2009, 03:05:13 PM
Sometime this Century, I hope. I have already cancelled my pre-ordered ones. >:(
This is almost like a repeat of the Russian Decapod and Ten-Wheeler fiasco....
Any updates?
9 months waiting and still counting.
Slow boat from China?
Maybe they piloted the boat into the Bermuda Triangle where the vengeful giant train spirit lives.
There is a report "on another forum" that they are arriving at shops now. Standing by! ;D
fingers crossed ^_^
here they are
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do4oSH-2RkE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do4oSH-2RkE)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f123/river_eagle/N-Scale/44ton/44tonner1.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f123/river_eagle/N-Scale/44ton/44tonner2.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f123/river_eagle/N-Scale/44ton/44tonner3.jpg)
sorry, I didn't get any more, the batteries went down in my camera, and won't be recharged until tomorrow.
Dear All,
They're shipping now. Let us know what you think!
Have fun!
the Bach-man
check out the youtube video link just above the first pic ;D
They sure can pull cant they. They'll have no problems going up my 6% incline.
Could you take a photo of the coupling well, so that i can work out a pssible MT conversion. I believe it should be the same as the H16-44, in which case it will be the 2004-1 (I have a spare pair from when i did my H16-44), but could you photograph it anyway please ^_^
I don't have DCC on my layout. I know this engine comes with DCC installed. Does that mean I cannot run it on my DC layout?
It should run fine. DCC decoders will usually run in Some form of DC mode- though the functions will not be usable. If it doesn't, It should be simple enough to remove the decoder.
Hello,
what kind of coupling is used on the 44ton switcher, and is it compatible with Microtrains or other knuckle couplers?
yours
Markus
We are all in the dark about the coupling. I too am looking to convert. However having looked at pics (not the underside yet), I believe the generic MT 2004-1 coupling will be the best replacem,ent.
Victor Miranda posted a photo of the underside of the shell on the Atlas Forum, and it looks like the 2004 may be the best bet, as TCWORLD suggests. The problem will be whether the coupler box clears the truck frames.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c301/kv-ironworks/b-mann%2044-ton/PICT0089.jpg
That's just the pic i needed to see. The answer is (from that pic) Yes, 2004 will work perfectly - the screw hole is near the back of the coupler on the 2004 so it will clear the internal parts fine. It may pertrude out the front of the shell, but it should look fine and be an adequite conversion.
I don't think a 2004 is going to work. The 2004 is an underslug / offset shank. The stock coupler has no offset. You would need a 2003 which I believe is a 2004 box with 1015 parts in it. Also, the thickness of the coupler box may interfere with the latch on the front of the truck. It is all going to be trial and error for the most part.
The best answer would be a McHenry. The problem is you have to buy a car to get the couplers. I wish they would hurry up with replacement couplers. A shorter shank McHenry would be even better.
Bachmann has hit a home run here with the N scale version of the GE 44 Tonner. I just picked up the red un-numbered & un-lettered model. The only problem I have with it is trying to decide what road number I want to put on it which is a good thing ;D They run great in DCC or DC as the DCC board installed will operate in either manner. This loco is a great buy with the pre-installed dual mode DCC board inside. If you buy either of the undec models (red or yellow) you have the option to use two different styles of light housings for the headlights. You can use either flush mount or the one with the hood. The light housings come pre-molded in the same color as the loco. If you do not want the Bachmann dummy couple and prefer something else, the Accumate couple will drop right in using the coupler box provided by Bachmann. If you want to use MicroTrains your going to run into a problem. Their's very tight clearance between the coupler box and trucks on the 44 Tonner. It might be possible to design some sort of adapter piece to mount to the body and provide clearance for the mounting of the MT but it will take some work to achieve this. The mounting surface on the body is not flat but a round pin with a hole in the middle for the screw for the coupler box to attach to. If you want to go the easy route then use a Accumate. Just the coupler and not the box that comes with it. Drops right in. The loco does great running at slow speeds and doesn't turn into a speed demon at higher speeds. It's amazing how well this loco runs without having any flywheels inside. Pulling power for this lil' sucker is also amazing provided that it's on flat & level track were it performs it's best. I've yet to test this to the point of slippimg but have done some switching with two 50' box cars & two 53' bulkhead flats both with wood cast loads on them. Did extremely well pulling & pushing these cars forwards & backwards without the slight hint of slipping doing yard switching. I saw a youtube video done by river eagle pushing & pulling nine covered hoppers...8 two bays & 1 three bay. The Bachmann GE 44 Tonner worked well here too. Keep in mind that the prototype of this little loco didn't move large blocks of cars because of it size so keep that in mind if you decide to purchase one for yourself. A lot of people think these GE 44 Tonners did nothing more than industrial switching but their were some railroads that used these for mainline road switcher duties but were still limited on what they did because of their size. Want a great liitle switcher for your railroad......check this 44 Tonner out!
Absolutely. The excitement about this model (as evidenced on another discussion group) is astounding, with consistent thumbs-ups from many modeling experts. Sure, there are a few dimensions fudged to make it producible, but the overall effect is great.
The coupler question seems to have at least one resolution in the MTL 905, a Z-scale version. If your modeling skills are up to the task, it looks "right" and so far appears to work without creating interference problems with the trucks.
The only "you ought'a" I have for Bachmann is the need for this model in completely undecorated, i.e., bare plastic. As it is, when my yellow-unnumbered versions arrive, they're going to find themselves reposing in a stripper bath so I can repaint for my particular targets. Since this little "critter" is as close to everyman's locomotive as you're going to get, I would hazard a guess that it has to be the one locomotive with the most paint schemes ever seen in a prototype, from Class I's to the little gravel quarry down the street.
A winner, indeed. [applause]
Mine is still in the break-in phase, but the first impressions are pretty good. It appears that the slow speed control will be good, once it is properly broken in. It does not stall on plastic frog switches at slow speed, which is another plus.
It appears that Bachmann had addressed eighty-per-cent of the coupler height problems from the FM roadswitcher and the USRA heavy 4-8-2. Still, I am going to try an AccuMate or the Z scale conversion that someone posted on One Of Those Other Forums.
Once it is properly broken in, I will try the loaded MT gondolas on the one-per-cent grade test. Still, eight or nine cars on straight and level should be allright, as I suspect that such is about the limit for the prototype.
Someone did note that the hood width appeared to be a bit out of scale, so that the mechanicals could be accomodated. The appearance, overall, is good. My FNSLHS had only the NYNH&H left, so I bought it. I can always repaint it for the non-historic. The McGuiness paint scheme on it appears to be properly done. All things considered, this appears to be a good model of a prototype that N scale needed. Many of us chose N scale because we have so little space. While there has been all sorts of larger power available for years, it is only recently that decent smaller power has become available.
More later, but my initial impressions of this one is that it is a winner. They appear to be leaving the store shelves before the personnel can put them onto same shelves.
Has Bachpersonn considered using this mechanism, or a slightly modified version of it, for the Brill trolley?
"Has Bachpersonn considered using this mechanism, or a slightly modified version of it, for the Brill trolley?"
Or could you use this mechanism for a GE 70 Tonner? That would be a nice addition, too.
I'm still waiting on mine >_<
Quote from: Allamuchy Joe on June 10, 2009, 12:22:11 PMOr could you use this mechanism for a GE 70 Tonner? That would be a nice addition, too.
The 70-tonner's wheelbase is 2' longer than the 44. On a locomotive that small the proportion difference would be fairly noticeable.
I just received my "nameless" yellow version. Amazing model, amazing runner. Quietest loco I own. For comic effect I lashed it up to a cut of 4 86' Hi-Cube auto parts cars and it moved them effortlessly. The prototype couldn't have done that! ;D
The Mc Henry coupler is the easy fit answer to the coupler question, however the MT 905 coupler has a shorter shank. To install the 905, cut the back off of the coupler box (carefully!).
Pictures:
http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=110068 (http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=110068)
I received mine today. Beautiful. Thank you Bachmann.
Frank
Dear Mr. Bach-Man:
Please tell your superiors to consider manufacturing this thing without its decoder. Many of us do not use DCC. This thing is an excellent creeper on straight DC (or as 'straight' as recitified DC can be), and all this without pulse or flywheels. Removal of the decoder would also allow for extra weight both to increase pulling power and improve electrical contact.
Thank you. This is an excellent locomotive and a prototype that N scale has needed for some time.
Here is mine after some changes ;D
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rokQinu49Lk/SjCsrWCsttI/AAAAAAAAGhY/Jyh-KKbKMDs/s800/IMG_6688.jpg)
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rokQinu49Lk/SjCxKQvrwcI/AAAAAAAAGiU/uz-L25kVZgE/s800/IMG_6698.jpg)
Quote from: brokemoto on June 14, 2009, 06:11:05 PM
Dear Mr. Bach-Man:
Please tell your superiors to consider manufacturing this thing without its decoder. Many of us do not use DCC. This thing is an excellent creeper on straight DC (or as 'straight' as recitified DC can be), and all this without pulse or flywheels. Removal of the decoder would also allow for extra weight both to increase pulling power and improve electrical contact.
Thank you. This is an excellent locomotive and a prototype that N scale has needed for some time.
It could actualy be possible that if they make with and without versions they'll be more expensive, and seeing they run on both and also dont need more pulling power ( they already pull 5 times the prototype ) what would be the point of no DCC.
Dear mr. Bach-Man:
I have now purchased four of your excellent forty-four ton N scale locomotives. They are good runners and all that, but to-day, I bought one that had some problems.
I put it onto the track for break-in, and it began to stall immediately where none of the other ones had stalled. I checked the track, and it seemed allright. I tried applying electric to one set of trucks, and got results. I applied it to the other truck, and nihil, rien, niente and nada. I suspected some electrical contact problem in the trucks, as that has proved to be a weak point in the design of B-mann's better power over the years. Even though I realised that I might be voiding the warranty, I opened up the thing.
UGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! There was grease EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No wonder the thing was stalling. As we all know, overgreasing your model locomotives does two things: first, it can ruin electrical contact; second, it attracts dirt. As we all know, dirt is ogre numero uno when it comes to causing problems for scale power. I cleaned up the excess grease, made sure that the contact tabs were properly aligned, and put the thing back together. It ran in excellent fashion, just as the other three do. This really is a great locomotive.
What you might want to do, Mr. Bach-Man, is contact your bosses and let then know that someone should call the Kader factory in China and have the line foreman given a good blessing out, so that they can give their subordinates a good blessing out for overgreasing the locomotives. One of your competitors had a similar experience a few years back. A member of their Senior Management had scheduled a trip to China, anyhow, so he simply put a good blessing out of the factory people on his 'to-discuss' list. The line foremen and the line workers received their blessings out, and the overgreasing problem went away.
Other than that, Mr. Bach-Man, this has proved to be a very good locomotive. I hasten to add that this is the only one that I have seen that has been overgreased. Thank you.
Dear Broke,
Thanks for your post- I'll certainly pass it along.
Have fun!
the Bach-man
Picked mine up today and it is the best little engine you can buy. Smooth and quiet. Great job bachmann. Now if the DD40AX is just as good i'll be in heaven.
Dave
Has anyone programmed this with a Digitrax Zephyr? I tried ops mode and the programming track and in both cases the controller says the decoder did not respond.
The loco runs fine with the default settings, I just can't program it.
I just tried an experiment. I disconnected rail power from my layout and fed my programming track from rail power. I was able to program successfully in ops mode.
Works for me.
My little 44-tonner has found its place among my other pieces. Unfortunately, its ultimate home is still only a distant dream.
Taking on fuel for a long day's work.
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp233/eric220/DSC_0004.jpg)
Bringing a cut of boxcars around the roundhouse.
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp233/eric220/DSC_0010.jpg)
Quote from: hoyden on July 19, 2009, 07:08:36 PM
I just tried an experiment. I disconnected rail power from my layout and fed my programming track from rail power. I was able to program successfully in ops mode.
Works for me.
My programing track will be a siding near the workbench with a DPDT switch so it can be set to Program or Main. The rest of the main will have a block that you can turn off to keep from flashing the rest of the loco's on the main in such situations.
Here is a panel from another layout that I built with a similar setup. The red track is the combo DCC/Program track.
(http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1426/Final3.jpg) (http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showphoto.php/photo/60526)
I had a peculiar problem programing my 44t. I could program all CVs except for the address by attaching my programming track to my rail power. Tonite someone on another forum suggested placing a 1K resistor across the programming track. I tried this and it worked perfectly. I am finally able to program the 44t for the first time on the programming track and program all CVs.
just delivered to the TCC
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f123/river_eagle/N-Turtle_Creek_Central/tccbox1009.jpg)
I was successful in using the 2004 coupler to convert the loco.