Anyone using one down to 11" radius? Trying to see if that could work before I chase one down to buy.
Thanks
I don’t know about 11" but my old MDC boxcab had trouble (a lot of gear and universal joint noise) on 18" curves. It always ran but didn’t really like to. Sadly it snagged a piece of scenery aand took a dive to the floor. I still have the pieces in box for some future resurection attempt.
Joe
IIRC, a friend had one that ran on 15" radius track with a 40’ box car coupled to it. As others have mentioned, the gear grinding was pretty bad. If you can get it to run on that tight of a curve, I suspect you will not be able to have any cars coupled to it.
Jim
I’ve heard the Boxcab mechanism is rather grindy, although it sounds like its minimum radius is not going to work out. Something to consider in addressing both issues is to put another chassis under it. I’m uncertain about how close the wheelbases match, but the Bachmann 44-tonner has to be close. I don’t have any radii that sharp, but if any loco can do it, I’ll bet it could and it’s very quiet. If it fits, the updated versions are widely available at very reasonable prices. Bachmann even throws in a free decoder, but expect as much out of it as you paid for it and it’s easy to replace.
A couple people have put the MDC Climax and Boxcab shells on the 44 tonner. I don’t remember what they did for the truck frames. Geared Steam in one fellow who has used the 44 tonner.
Rich
I think 44 tonner it is.
Mike
I have a Boxcab built as per MDC plans and it runs fine but I don’t have any small radii on my layout. It does make noise but sounds like there is a sound decoder in there!! I read about using the 44 tonner but I like the truck frames on the MDC and the wheel size; just looks riight as it was made. (The 44 tonner wheels are smaller)
-Bob
As I recall, mine could run slowly by itself on 12". It was the original kit from the early 70’s with the gearing/fly wheel upgrade kit added. Don’t know how that compared to the more recent ones.
But I think that small a radius would be a continuing problem. OTH if you enjoy tinkering with locos and cars to get them to run on tight curves, then by all means go for it.
Good luck
Paul
Search the forums, it may have been in the Electronics/DCC area, there was a lengthy discussion about repoweing the MDC boxcab, or putting the shell on the 44 tonner chassis. Someone was actually making appropriate truck sideframes - the 44 tonner ones are similar but if you look carefully they are a sompletely different style than used on the older AGEIR boxcabs. However, approriate GE style electric loco sideframes are available. I don;t recall who was making them, and being a limited production item they weren’t exactly cheap, but they are the correct 1920’s style and better detailed than the ones on the MBC boxcab.
–Randy
There’s a video out of CNJ 1000 (aka, MDC box cab) switching on the HO CNJ Bronx terminal layout. Minimum radius is 12.5 inches. I don’t know if that’s an original MDC, a much-modified version or from some other source. It has a sound system, which accurately reproduces the prime mover. Didn’t notice any gear noise, but then, I wasn’t listening for it.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with teakettle steam on 350 mm radius curves)
Tim’s AGEIR boxcab on his Bronx Terminal layout is a brass model, it’s not one of the MDC ones. In his blog on construction of the layout he did a bit on modifying the loco and adding a sound decoder to it.
Tears ago, Aristo has one as well, it always looked nice in pictures. Probably would need remotoring to get anywhere near today’s standards, but then again the MDC one does too.
–Randy
I saved your link [Y] for the truck sideframes Randy.
http://www.laserkit.com/ldgecab1.html
To the OP, you will have a much better loco if slap a 44 ton chassis under that MDC shell. The sideframes may or not “bother” you, if they do, see link above.
How I did mine
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/2009_09_26_archive.html
It’s ready for some hand grabs and stirrups
Have fun
