I have an AHM Big Boy, an N&W 2-8-8-2 & a 4-8-8-2 Cab Forward that are from the mid 1970s. I’d like to repower them. I’ve seen various “drop in” can motors, etc for the task.
Since I’m not much into hacking & machining locomotive’s “innards,” I’m seeking input on what might work best, be easiest to do and still be reasonably inexpensive. If possible, I’d also like to include a flywheel in the mechanism if possible.
The locomotives have great sentimental value as they belonged to my late brother. For that reason, I’m far more interested in preserving them as opposed to replacing them with more modern ones.
I remember an old article in MR about re-powering AHM locos–wish I could help you with the year and the issue, but it was back when AHM was a pretty major force in ‘big steam’, so it’s probably sometime in the '70’s.
But what I remember about it was that in the articulateds, the can was mounted in the center of the boiler weight, which entailed a whole lot of milling out of the weight itself. It was definitely NOT a ‘drop-in’ proposition.
Are the locos you’re talking about the ones with the old-style ‘square’ motors in the cab? I do know that later in their production, the motors were changed over to a more double-ended ‘can’ type and were moved to the center of the boiler in several locos, including the Big Boy. If you’ve got these particular locomotives, then you could check with NWSL for replacement cans that would probably work.
But replacing those old cab-mounted motors is probably going to entail some milling out of the weight to fit them.
I have the same three old locos,and I, too, keep them for sentimental reasons. They still run OK, and I rarely operate them. I’d be interesed in what you end up doing, but probably will not modify mine.
Take a look at this site. He sells on ebay also. I have bought directly from him. NWSL has a lot of material though the site is a little difficult to look through. I have emailed and called NWSL for orders also.
This eBay auction is what got me to thinking about the remotoring project. I don’t know if these are any good, but I’ve been told that with a “good” motor, that lots of times, you don’t even need a flywheel.
If you notice, that Ebay motor is going to stick out way past the end of the cab.
Another option is to cut off the motor mount and install the motor in the floor of the cab. I have done two very old AHM Big Boys this way and they turn into very good runners. They have a 14-1 gear ratio similar to many diesels today.
Milling the weight and installing a motor in the boiler is the last option.