Intermountain Email today about AC 12 New Motor

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

This email came today announcing the new motor for the third run AC12 coming soon.

CZ

CAB FORWARD LOCMOTIVES – THIRD PRODUCTION RUN

The InterMountain cab forward steam locomotive is a very attractive model. Some have said that it is the most accurate, most highly detailed HO steam locomotive ever produced. On the other hand, some of the early purchasers of these models have been disappointed with the operating characteristics. The first run operated at a maximum scale speed of 35-45 scale mph. With re-gearing the second run reached a maximum speed of 55 scale mph. In addition, there were cases of overheating with prolonged operation.

During the past few weeks we have been testing several of the AC-12-s retrofitted with a more powerful, more efficient motor. The test results have been very good. For example:

  1. One of the AC-12’s pulled 48 cars weighted to NMRA standard weight at 60 scale mph on a level test track. This test was discontinued after eight hours. During that time the locomotive neither slowed down nor showed any signs of overheating.
  2. Another of the test locomotives pulled 22 cars up the 2.2% grade helix on the layout at the GreeleyModel
2

I’ve been doing the re-motor conversions for a while now and it makes a huge difference in the overall running of these beautiful Loco’s. I’ve been using the NWSL motors. I’m pretty sure that these are the motors that Intermountain went with (don’t quote me on this). The reason i say that is because i had a lengthy conversation with someone at NWSL about this very thing. Also, if you add a heat sink to the decoder, it eliminates the heat issue. It’s a gets a little tight for space in the tender after adding one though.

I’m very grateful of the info provided in these forums. That’s how i started doing a lot of these different upgrades and conversions, from all the info i get from my fellow modelers! I really think that’s it’s the people who take on these projects that make the Manufacturers listen and take note. I’m really happy that Intermountain did just that!

Stephan

3

I replaced a motor on my latest AC12 Intermountain and it is not easy getting the details off and then more importantly, back on the right place. My engine does run better now for sure and I replaced that red LED that they used for the headlight.
RED??? Yes it was red.

CZ.