I have an MTH A-A engine pair, the typical powered and un-powered set. It wasn’t fully functioning and I bought it cheap as a project. It occured to me that since the powered unit has two motors, I could potentially swap out one motor and end up with two powered units. And that would be the upside: two powered units that I might still be able to run together but most likely would run as separate units thus doubling the possible action from the set. On the downside, doing so would probably cost a little more to get them both fully operational (I’m looking to run them on a traditional, not a DCS, layout). Also, MTH units with two motors have never failed me have have always been strong and reliable pullers. I would like to think the single motored units I’d be creating would still have decent pulling power but maybe it would be a lot of work and I’d end up with two engines that don’t perform well. So what are your thoughts? Should I leave well enough alone or try to go for the double? Anyone have any experience doing something like this?
Williams trains does it both ways.I pull fifteen cars with a dual motored diesel and seem to be able to pull the same with a single motored unit.I imagine sooner or later,while adding cars there might be a noticable loss in pulling power,but fifteen is about all my layout looks good running anyway.You will also have to add the electronics to the dummy along with the power.This can get quite expensive.
Ed
I saw in the latest Williams / Bachmann catalog ‘upgrade’ kits to add a powered truck or another motor to certain engine. I think they’ve always had it but I never noticed. Interesting idea.
You are going to have to get a second reverse unit and create a second wiring harness and then have to figure out how to get the pair to work as a pair if you do decide to run them together.
Two motors will pull most everyones trains. As stated Williams engines are easy to add power to a dummy unit, MTH on the other hand would cost a whole heap of $$$$ because the dummy unit is not made to be a power upgrade.
The classic ‘China drive’ (dual vertical can motors w/ traction tires on the driving wheels) will almost always pull better than a single can-powered unit. I personally would leave well enough alone, fix the problems and enjoy the A-A lashup. It may be easy to power a Williams dummy, but powering an MTH dummy would be too much work and not work as near as well as a single dual can-powered engine.
Geno