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Model Forum / General / Railroads / November 2011Better Drive for a old MDC (Roundhouse) BoxCab
Hello Sorry for me bad English. I am looking for a better drive for the old MDC BOXCAB diesel. Does one have an idea there? Web pages? Could the drive match and work of a Bachmann diesel (GE 44)?  SignatureGreetings from Germany Juergen > Hello > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Could the drive match and work of a Bachmann diesel (GE 44)? Northwest Short Lines has a replacement drive IIRC. Check their website: www.nwsl.com The Bachmann GE44 drive doesn't fit as is. You would have to build a new frame, or modify the MDC one. I don't know whether the GE44's truck wheel base is the same as the boxcab diesel's. If so, it may be worth the effort of rebuilding. You could also search on "remotoring Roundhouse boxcab diesel" and "remotoring Model Die Casting boxcab diesel." If anyone has written about this in one of the major model railway magazines, you will find a reference to the article. Good luck! > Northwest Short Lines has a replacement drive IIRC. Check their website: > www.nwsl.com NWSL have no new Drive for the BoxCab or Same chassies (Climax) > You could also search on "remotoring Roundhouse boxcab diesel" and > "remotoring Model Die Casting boxcab diesel." If anyone has written about > this in one of the major model railway magazines, you will find a > reference to the article. No references found on the web any help? SignatureGreetings from Germany Juergen >> Northwest Short Lines has a replacement drive IIRC. Check their website: >> www.nwsl.com > NWSL have no new Drive for the BoxCab or Same chassies (Climax) > Greetings from Germany > Juergen The MDC box cab is a model of the 1925 ALCo/GE/I-R locomotives CNJ 1000, B&O 1 and LV 100. Plans in the MR Cyclopedia Vol 2 show these units have 7' 2" wheelbase trucks with 36" wheels, mounted on 17' centers on the chassis. A scan of other diesel plans show all have longer truck centers (even the GE 44 tonner has 18' 9" truck centers), and most have longer wheelbase trucks. This would suggest that it is unlikely any mechanism from another commercial diesel model could be substituted for the MDC box cab mechansim. In my experience, the problems with the MDC box cab are from the gear train design with the large bull gear in the center of the chassis that results in severe "kinks" in the drive train to the trucks on any curves. I therefore do not think remotoring will do much to improve the operation of the unit. I suggest you look again at the NWSL catalog at http://www.nwsl.com/Catalog/CatalogSect4.htm The PDT power truck # 37032-4 with a 7' wheelbase and 36" wheels would be the closest fit for use in the box cab. The 2" difference in wheelbase should not be a problem since the PDT has center axle bearings so the old MDC sideframes would be cosmetic only. If you require the precise 7' 2" wheelbase, it looks like you could build a suitable power truck using the NWSL "Flea" components. Geezer > In my experience, the problems with the MDC box cab are from the gear train > design with the large bull gear in the center of the chassis that results in > severe "kinks" in the drive train to the trucks on any curves. I therefore > do not think remotoring will do much to improve the operation of the unit. Geez: I don't own the MDC boxcab, but I took a look at my catalog. It appears the boxcab's chassis has some bizarre kinematics. Unless I am mistaken, the truck is mounted on a sideways slider/flop guide and allowed to 'pivot' around the U-joint to the bull gear. If this is true, then it's some wonderfully naive engineering. :) I wonder -- would it be possible to constrain the truck better, and give it a pivot pin vertically in line with the single U-joint? How about a curved slide? Cordially yours: Gerard P. > I suggest you look again at the NWSL catalog at > http://www.nwsl.com/Catalog/CatalogSect4.htm > The PDT power truck # 37032-4 with a 7' wheelbase and 36" wheels would be > the closest fit for use in the box cab. The 2" difference in wheelbase > should not be a problem since the PDT has center axle bearings so the old > MDC sideframes would be cosmetic only. Alternatively, ou could try a pair of Black Beetles: http://home.waterfront.net.au/~sem/bbeetle.htm and order a pair with the correct wheelbase. Cheers, Mark. >> You could also search on "remotoring Roundhouse boxcab diesel" and >> "remotoring Model Die Casting boxcab diesel." If anyone has written >> about this in one of the major model railway magazines, you will find >> a reference to the article. > > No references found on the web There was an article years ago on remotoring the Climax - same chassis. I don't remember if it was in Model Railroader or Model Railroading. SignatureIt's turtles, all the way down "Larry Blanchard" >> >> No references found on the web > > There was an article years ago on remotoring the Climax - same chassis. > I don't remember if it was in Model Railroader or Model Railroading. Sorry, i search, not found. I have many Years of Model Railroader. Have you found a Number of Magazine or better a Webside? SignatureGreetings from Germany Juergen > "Larry Blanchard" >> >>> No references found on the web [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Sorry, i search, not found. I have many Years of Model Railroader. > Have you found a Number of Magazine or better a Webside? http://index.mrmag.com/ Seems there was even an NMRA bulletin on remotoring. Remember to search on both Climax and boxcab diesel entries. SignatureIt's turtles, all the way down > http://index.mrmag.com/ It,s the December, 1982 issue of MR. Actually there's relatively little on repowering the climax therein IIRC. The article mostly dealt with cosmetic issues although "lowering" the boiler required changes in the mounting of the flywheel. Hope this helps. Thank you. Jerry > http://index.mrmag.com/ It,s the December, 1982 issue of MR. Actually there's relatively little on repowering the climax therein IIRC. The article mostly dealt with cosmetic issues although "lowering" the boiler required changes in the mounting of the flywheel. Hope this helps. Thank you. Jerry >> http://index.mrmag.com/ > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > mounting of the flywheel. Hope this helps. Thank you. > Jerry Thank you I have the MR at 1974 complete I go search the 12/82 issue Many thanks from Germany Juergen >>> http://index.mrmag.com/ >> [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >Juergen Magazine available from Railpub at: www.railpub.com fl@liner >> http://index.mrmag.com/ > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > mounting of the flywheel. Hope this helps. Thank you. > Jerry I found the 12/78 issue of MR. i show. No better drive or remotoring. Only optical changes of the climax. Not help for my problem. SignatureGreetings from Germany Juergen Model Railroader September 1981 Build a 100-ton boxcab switcher Regearing The Model Die Casting Diesel NMRA Bulletin, October 1972 page 26 ( DIESEL, MDC, REGEAR, "SOVEREL, MAL", ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, BL ) Testing the Regeared M.D.C. Diesel NMRA Bulletin, October 1972 page 27 ( DIESEL, "HIGGINS, ROBERT", MDC, REVIEW, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, BL ) Modification Of Roundhouse Diesel NMRA Bulletin, June 1973 page 7 ( BOXCAB, DIESEL, MDC, "MUGELE, RICK", REPOWER, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, BL ) Another M.D.C. Drive Conversion NMRA Bulletin, September 1973 page 58 ( "BATTLES, ROBERT", DIESEL, MDC, REGEAR, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, BL ) Engineering an old time diesel Traction & Models, May 1974 page 23 Converting to a BA&P box cab electric ( BA&P, BOXCAB, DIESEL, ELECTRIC, KITBASH, "MALLORY, JOHN", MDC, CONSTRUCTION, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, TAM ) Boxcab oil-electrics, kitbashed using Athearn cabooses Model Railroader, March 1983 page 75 ( ATHEARN, BOXCAB, DIESEL, KITBASH, "LORENCE, BILL", CONSTRUCTION, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, MR ) Start with a diesel... kitbash an interurban, a Climax from an MDC boxcab Railroad Modeler, January 1975 page 48 ( "APPEL, RICHARD", CLIMAX, DIESEL, GEARED, INTERURBAN, KITBASH, MDC, STEAM, TRACTION, CONSTRUCTION, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, RRM ) "Newyorkcentralfan@bigfoot.com" Thank You Wow!!! I think i must go order old NMRA Bulletin (from Germany is not good) or can any send a scan of the sides from the NMRA Bulletin? Juergen > Build a 100-ton boxcab switcher > [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > STEAM, TRACTION, > CONSTRUCTION, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, RRM ) Sir, Model Railroad News ran two different articles describing the installation of a chain drive in the MDC Roundhouse Boxcab. These articles ran in the October 2007 and July 2008 issues of MRN. I have copies of those articles if you would like a copy. The installation seems pretty straight forward. I was fortunate to acquire three complete and one partially complete boxcabs at a train show a couple of years ago. I have amassed the parts necessary to make this conversion, but have not yet completed one. I hope to complete these after July, 2010, at which time I plan to retire. Another option was explained to me at the Amherst Railway Society Train Show this last January. A gentleman from Tony’s Train Exchange had converted a MDC Boxcab using a Bachmann 70-ton drive mechanism. He had also added sound, and it was really good. If you are interested, I would share these articles with you. Paul W. Myers, MMR >Hello > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > >Could the drive match and work of a Bachmann diesel (GE 44)? Hello, Paul - If possible, I would like a copy of the info. Please email. THX!!! I recently purchased the MDC / Roundhouse Climax (same chassis and components as the Box Cab) and it really is a shame at how poorly it runs - In searching for some help to get it going I came across this website - www.LaFeverClimax.com. The site shows a built Climax model and has some strong claims regarding the results of the upgrades offered/ recommended. I have inquired about several of the options listed including DCC. I will share the news and results. Best, Loco Jose >Sir, >Model Railroad News ran two different articles describing the installation of [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >> >>Could the drive match and work of a Bachmann diesel (GE 44)? Hi, I too would like the info since I have been capturing as much info on these out of production products as available. I have two of these MDC engines in climax form (brand new unbuilt and one I picked up for $40 along with three MDC log cars--good deal!), and am shopping for the box cab. I did buy the LaFever book and spoke with Ron Lafever. He is a real nice guy, retired, and would likely be happy to help. He also rebuilds (using the original motors) but he is behind right now--has three locos to work on and too cold for him in his garage workshop. His book is regularly available on ebay. Or buy direct from him like I did (sam price, but he does not have to pay ebay fees or paypal fees. Ron LaFever rlafever@suddenlink.net He may have access to a digital copy he could send for the same price? TommyC >Hello, > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >>> >>>Could the drive match and work of a Bachmann diesel (GE 44)? Paul, I just joined and read your post on the MDC Box Cab articles in the Model RR News. I would love to have copies of both of these articles, if you would be so kind. You can email them to me if you wish. Thank you ahead of time. Richard in Vermont >Sir, >Model Railroad News ran two different articles describing the installation of [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >> >>Could the drive match and work of a Bachmann diesel (GE 44)? Paul, I just joined and read your post on the MDC Box Cab articles in the Model RR News. I would love to have copies of both of these articles, if you would be so kind. You can email them to me if you wish. Thank you ahead of time. Richard in Vermont >Sir, >Model Railroad News ran two different articles describing the installation of [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >> >>Could the drive match and work of a Bachmann diesel (GE 44)? >Hello > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > >Could the drive match and work of a Bachmann diesel (GE 44)? toptrain here : Why ? They are not that hard to keep running! You defiantly don't need a sound system ! They run at a very prototypical 15 MPH. They will even pull a few cars. What more can you ask of a small locomotive. |
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