Bachmann 44 ton swicher

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am thinking of buying a Bachmann 44 ton swicher. I have been unable to find a product review on it. I would like any information about the swicher. Thanks Phil

2

Phil,

There’s two versions of this switcher: A single-motor and a dual-motor. The single motor is the newer version. (There were some problem with the earlier dual-motor versions.) It’s kinda hit and miss with this little switcher. Some have been good runners; others have been poor runners.

If you are interested in getting one, I would definitely test run it before plunking down any money on one. I purchased one off eBay and it was so-so. (My one and only dud sale off eBay.)

Tom

3

Hi!

I believe I can help you on this one! I have two ATSF models, one from the older, original run and the second from the current run. The difference is that the early run has two small motors while the newer one has one larger motor. I’ve added KDs and did some light weathering on the trucks, and both are really decent looking.

I had to do some repairs on the older one as I dropped it and had to rebuild the trucks with spare parts from a junker sold on Ebay. It is “like new” now.

All that being said, they both are good for jockeying a few cars around your industrial sidings and can handle 8 or 10 free rolling cars easily. However, I believe I am partial to the newer one as it has a bit more detail and seems to be stronger.

By the way, these are always sold on Ebay at reasonable prices, so check there.

ENJOY,

Mobilman44

4

http://toys.search.ebay.com/BACHMANN-SPECTRUM-GE-44-HO_HO-Scale_W0QQflocZ1QQfposZQ5AIPQ2fPostalQQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQsabfmtsZ1QQsacatZ19128QQsadisZ200QQsaobfmtsZinsifQQsargnZQ2d1QQsaslcZ1QQsofocusZbsQQsubmitsearchZSearch

I just picked up the new one off of ebay for $30.00 including shipping. Your mileage may vary.

Rich

5

if you are into DCC, get the new model. The 2 motor ones are a challenge because it’s really hard to isolate the motor.

6

Great little runners, smooth and slow. If you are going to install a decoder, be warned it will have to be soldered onto the board, they are not equipped with the easy plug in.

7

great little runnerI love mine

8

Yep , I’ve got two of them also , 1 older (two motor) and a newer single motor , both run well , the single is better though.

9

Runs well with no problems, highly recommended.

Wayne

10

Mine ran fine for a few months. Then the gears in the front truck cracked. So I removed the gearing. Few months later the gears in the rear truck cracked. So I removed those, and the motor. Its now a dummy for use behind an S4.

11

Hey,

This Locomotive is great, i’ve had mine for about 3 years, but be aware DCC may be a issue.

Heres Some pictures

IMG_2429

IMG_2430

My advice Go for it.

Tjsingle

12

Yay, Boston & Maine! We had 5 of those on a way freight!

13

I really wish we could get one of these in N scale.

14

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/HO_Scale_44_Ton_Switcher_s/2049.htm

MB Klein has them for $50. They say DCC ready. Don’t know if that means they have a socket now??

15

No socket, that is where I purchased mine, and it did say DCC ready. The term is vague, it means the motor is isolated, you will have to solder the decoder.

16

I have two 44 tonners - the two motor version runs much better and quieter than the single motor version. It really is hit or miss as to whether it will be a good runner or not. Watch out for the cracked gears!!!

Some where on the forum there was a reply or a thread about installing a LOKSound decoder and speaker into a two motor 44 tonner. It was fairly well detailed and it looked like doing the conversion wouldn’t be too difficult. It is my next project… I love my 44 tonner!

17

Here is a photo of the inside of a new Spectrum 44 ton loco. I picked this up for about $30.00 from The Favorite Spot on ebay. Very nice runner.

I am going to slip a MDC Climax shell over the loco like Geared Steam. A little modification of the truck frames to look like the Climax frames. Cheap version of the old MDC Climax.

Rich

18

How the heck can they be going for that cheap on ebay? My LHS which usually has a discount could only quote me a price of $85. The ones on ebay are advertised as new.

Is there something wrong or different with the ones on ebay?

19

“The Favorite Spot” is a reputable EBAY seller and is also an LHS. I would recommend him to buy your 44 ton. As far as your LHS is concerned, like everything else, the discount he is giving isn’t the best you can get.

20

Their going for $49.99 at MB Klein (Model Train Stuff).

Bill