o scale ge 44 ton

[kevo]

Hi  can any one offer me some advice  . have ing modelled  in amercian  ho a few times   . i would really like to try o scale  and have been looking at small switchers  to use on a small layout that  i would like to build .    The GE 44 ton switcher takes my like ing  . but i see mainly its only made for 3 rail pick up  and i would like to do 2 rail  . i have read that a few people have converted them to 2 rail  but i am a bit of a novice  when it comes to jobs like that . so is there any ones on the market made for just to 2 rail i am aware there are some brass kits but again  they would be well bey above my modelling skills . allso i am UK   based  and looking to do this on a budget  any tips or pointers most wellcome. thank you  . 

[Nearholmer]

I have an MTH 3-rail one, now out of production but I think still available, and converting to 2-rail would need specialist knowledge/tools/parts, because the wheel-sets are to "coarse" standards, which are rarely used for 2-rail. Not having tried to find out, I don't know whether any US supplier  might make "drop in" replacements.

 

The MTH model is well up to finescale standards, except for the wheels. It has a very good cast-metal shell, runs beautifully, and has pretty good sound.

 

There have been several brass models for 2-rail, covering different variants, but finding one might be a challenge.

 

These locos have a (slightly rambling, naturally) thread here 

 

 

Edited September 24, 2021 by Nearholmer

[Nearholmer]

Williams (Bachmann) have also made the 44 tonner recently, and there are plenty from the uS on ebay, but again i'm fairly certain it has coarse wheels. Theirs has a plastic body and seems to be about half the price of the MTH one.

 

Be aware that Williams and Lionel made earlier, cruder versions, which are way over scale - some people work them up as models of the superficially similar 75 tonners.

[Nearholmer]

Late breaking news!

 

I just opened the Nov 2021 "Classic Toy Trains", and there is a forthcoming product announcement for an Atlas 0 44 tonner, which is the MTH model "under new management" and I think with different electronics. Price £499.95, but US box-shifters always undercut list prices.

 

Here it is https://shop.atlasrr.com/c-1585-0266.aspx 

 

Seems to be coarse-wheeled still!

Edited September 24, 2021 by Nearholmer

[Regularity]

1 hour ago, Nearholmer said:

Seems to be coarse-wheeled still!

Also, I suspect we know what 3RL means…

[mdvle]

1 hour ago, Nearholmer said:

Late breaking news!

 

I just opened the Nov 2021 "Classic Toy Trains", and there is a forthcoming product announcement for an Atlas 0 44 tonner, which is the MTH model "under new management" and I think with different electronics. Price £499.95, but US box-shifters always undercut list prices.

 

Here it is https://shop.atlasrr.com/c-1585-0266.aspx 

 

Seems to be coarse-wheeled still!

 

Announced back in June.

 

So far Atlas seems to be releasing ex-MTH stuff as is with no changes by Atlas - the 44-tonner comes (like under MTH) with MTH DCS Proto-Sound 3.0 - Atlas licensed DCS/Proto-Sound when they bought part of the MTH O scale product line.

 

 

[Nearholmer]

Ah, so the electronics have a subtly different name, but are the same thing under license?

 

Very good, because they very happily accept and run on straight DC, with a simplified, but still enough for me, range of sounds.

 

The MEC one is very tempting, but even harder to make an excuse for than the army one, which at least (in slightly different form) came to Europe.

[mikjd]

I have the Williams version, dissasembled and ready for conversion (for at least 12 months!), with a set of Atlas wheels (33" freight truck wheels) and a tube of Loctite 638. I can recommend the Williams model, as mentioned it has a plastic moulded body, but comes with a heavy cast frame and trucks. There are 2R conversions detailed online, and the Atlas wheels press fit on the original axles, 'just' needing pickups to be fabricated.

 

The Williams version is also available more cheaply, particularly second hand, mine arriving in the UK for less than £200.

[alastairq]

A bit of a bargain,methinks?

 

https://www.trainworld.com/model-train-specials/o-scale/williams-23103-ge-44-ton-switcher-southern-1957-williams-23103.html

[Prof Klyzlr]

Dear 44-tonner fans,

 

Wow, I didn't realise the Williams 44 was only powered on one axle per truck?

Seriously thinking a pair of Stanton trucks might be the best "all wheel drive" 2R conversion option?

 

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

[kevo]

Thanks for the reply i am going to read through , but the williams ge 44 ton  seems to be the way to go . and the conversion use ing  the atlas push fit wheels  and makeing some pick ups . i think i could tackel that . brilliant  there is hope then .

[mikjd]

Some of the 2R conversion articles:

 

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/24339

 

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/converting-williams-44-tonner

 

There are more on the OGR forum, it depends on how far you want to go.

[Dava]

I was lucky & able to buy a s/h Rich Yoder brass GE 44 tonner, it’s central to my US shortline plans. Test track photo below.

 

However I also have a Williams 70 tonner for conversion from 3R to 2R & confirm as Mikjd wrote, it’s entirely feasible, the trucks are the same design with a small DC motor driving 1 axle in each. Peco Lowmac wheels can be used to fit the original axles. 

There is a 44 tonner on eBay here

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114937818126?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=114937818126&targetid=1283271902821&device=t&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006891&poi=&campaignid=9445985932&mkgroupid=121333601023&rlsatarget=pla-1283271902821&abcId=578896&merchantid=6995734&gbraid=0AAAAAD_Lr1eqGTet82pNkAGgZeGLcJfWC&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkbuKBhDRARIsAALysV4TrlimikJBJGZkbFIMLSEufECrbW5jNSaHzYTnUXeIB2J-vWkRfPcaAskYEALw_wcB

 

Or can be imported by

https://www.tootallyamericantrains.co.uk/ourshop/cat_1516810-GE-44-ton.html

 

Dava

[jasond]

How quickly do you want to be modelling Nth Am 2-rail O-scale?  Converting a 3-rail loco can take time.  If you're in the South/Midlands come to the Winchester Meet at the end of October, there can be some choices.

 

If you're too far from Winchester, what other switchers might you like?  Atlas SW (2-rail have been run), Lionel S2 (3-rail conversions need 2-rail and O-scale 40" geared wheelsets are easier to get than 33" like 44-tonners), RYM (Rich Yoder Models) brass RTR - good models, but much harder to find/more expensive.  

 

UK retailers talking O-scale either mean "we can willingly try to get it to order from the US" or "we have 2nd-hand 2-rail now".  Anoraks Anonymous and Ellis Clark Trains have both advertised Nth Am 2-rail O-scale recently and even though I stopped importing 2-rail O-scale some years ago I'll have some tables at Winchester.

 

If you'd like to test me on paragraph 2 above, post more here, or PM me for specifics/phone number for a chat.

Jason  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kevo]

Hi sorry for delay  in reply and thanks for all the info  at the moment  i have a back log of ON30  projects to wade through  and the o scale GE 44 ton switcher would be for a later project  . thanks Jasond for the offer with help  but its all just  pipe line  stuff  at the mo . my 1st venture in to O scale was with a Dapol 08 and a few  mineral wagons  and thats still in the box  . you know how you get drawn in and out to other scales gauges in this  hobby . but i have had a strong intetrest in haveing a go with  american  o scale . nice pic of your  44 toner Dava . funny enough i had my eye on that E BAY  southern RR   44T . But i only just saw it after i brought yet another on30 loco  so  funds will have to wait till next pay day now .  i see you said  PECO low mac wheels  will fit  so i could get them from  peco . bit easyer than  finding  Atlas wheels as ive seen recomended to try . allso when i do have a go it will be a very small micro  type layout  which i have been trying to see what other people have  built but small o scale standard gauge  american  micro layouts are had to find  un less any one has any pointers  please . the sort of thing i mean is a 44 ton pushing a 40ft high cube  box car around if thats of help . thanks again to all who replyed on this . 

[F-UnitMad]

18 minutes ago, kevo said:

i have been trying to see what other people have  built but small o scale standard gauge  american  micro layouts are had to find 

Unfortunately "American O Scale" and "micro layout" are usually a contradiction in terms.

I did once put some in a boxfile...

 

This layout was a stabling point with an "end on" viewpoint; it was 4ft wide at the front, 4ft deep, narrowed to 2ft wide at the back with 4ft long staging behind it, so as a 'normal' layout it was 8ft long.

 

Finally this layout was 12ft x 2ft; 8ft scenic & 4ft staging. Trains were limited to a loco & 2 freight cars in length, although they were Geep diesels and modern cars, rather than short switchers & 40ft old time stock.

 

Current small O layout itch, slowly being scratched, is this simple plan, a bit less than 4ft x 2ft scenic, to be fed by an as-yet unbuilt fiddlestick...

 

 

[kevo]

thank for them pics of the small layouts  there the type  that give me some ideas  . and that  latest one yr building looks great  hope there be some more pics as you progress . i seeu you have a pair of atlas plymouth  switchers  i have seen people  do some good bashes  with them   . 

[Dava]

This link to a great photoset of the unique Claremont &Concord RR shows that a GE 44 tonner & one boxcar at a time is all you need 

 

https://trainsbyjon.myportfolio.com/claremont-concord

 

You could also try a smaller loco like a GE 25 tonner or Plymouth 4 or 6 wheel.

 

Dava

 

[kevo]

Hi dava  the Claremont and concord  pics are absolutely fantastic  . talk about finding a gem . thats the type  of railroad  i love  just a small loco and one wagon , the secenry  the tracks  what a picture ive got to see more . and yes a GE 25 tonner  and the plymouth  switcher  of which i have seen a few  on E bay are  all good  for a go . thanks again its made my day  

[Prof Klyzlr]

RE O2R SG US-outline Micro layout

 

See "Chicago Fork"

https://www.carendt.com/small-layout-scrapbook/page-97a-may-2010/

(scroll at least 1/3rd way down the page...)

 

also worth checking out

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/18011

 

and 

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/10708

 

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/15624

 

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/36211

 

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/31878

 

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/22604

 

 

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

 

Edited September 28, 2021 by Prof Klyzlr

[kevo]

Hi Prof klyzir  , i have come across Chicago fork layout before . i really like it its simple not over fussy and was one of the main layouts that  steered my interest to wards american o gauge . am i right in thinking that is your layout .

[kevo]

Hi here is my take on  the claremont and concord except i only have a 45 tonner 

[jasond]

Just an idle thought Kevin.  When I started in O, I went to Bernie Victor's shop in his Dad's record store in Islington market.   I wanted to model the D&H, but there weren't any appropriate diesels that I could find back then (no internet, etc).  I wanted an Alco RS3 all purpose loco, but settled for an EMD NW-2 switcher (All-Nation kit).  There's a choice of RS3s these days, so I'm happy, but one of my early thoughts was to sell the NW-2 when I found the RS3.  Much like you can do to a stand-in loco when you find a 44-tonner.

 

Never happened for my NW-2, it's currently on the RIP track having had a can motor fitted (OK, OK, a few years ago), now waiting for an update to it's old whitemetal body and respray - currently thinking the NYO&W colours chosen by a privately-owned leaser.  Too fond of it to let it go, did a great job cutting al those cab windows in the w/m frames... aaah, O-scale!

Jason

[kevo]

HI Jason  yes when i get started i will keep my options open to what ever i find 1st  with in the small switcher range . last few days i have been putting  ideas down on scraps of paper  checking out small switching layouts etc  to get as many  plans or what will work in a small space  around the 4ft + a run off  . i really like the idea of some thing  like chicago fork and Gaz man jack's ho ,  sunshine plam trees and food ind . i might even not use any switches just 3 tracks  and use a sector plate . just have to see  . not only that i need few lenths of track  and a couple of box cars to work out distances  etc . 

[jasond]

O-scale is so easy....  40ft boxcar @ 1/4":1ft = 10" + a couple of inches for KDs and wriggle-room = 12".  Gons are the same length or longer and with a sensible choice of prototype, hoppers (2-bay) and tankcars (8K-gallon) are shorter, but you've done HO, you know all this!  Flat-bottom rail - code 100 rescued from old HO scrap works fine for sidings with HO spikes.  The NMRA British Region got me a useful track gauge.

Jason