Mojave Mike posted:Okay, just put in my order for a pair of Lionel Burlington Northern E8's (although the numbers seem more consistent with E9's). Rather than attempt a full conversion to DC/DCC which would be more trouble than it's worth, I'm set up so I can switch out power supplies to my layout without too much trouble to run any variety of manufacturer's locomotives. So my question is....does anyone know of someone experienced that I can send them out to who is really experienced at swapping out 3-rail wheelsets and pick-ups for 2-rail? I could probably muddle through myself, but I already have so many projects and I haven't attempted a locomotive before.
I have done these myself and had Joe at Baldwin Forge do trucks for me . The key is if the truck has all axles gear driven , most only have 2 of 3 axles powered , early E6, SD40-2 , and U30c Lionel's had all axles powered and make beautiful 2 rail engines . NWSL makes the wheels and insulators, axles to convert these if you have an arbor press , the axles come out of the sandwiched truck block but you still have to make wipers and assemble the 2 rail wheel sets . I would think 2 powered units would be mandatory for an 6-8 car train in 2 rail. Might be easier to buy 3rd rail and repaint to BN .
I had quite a few 2 rail TMCC diesels , SD70(K-Line) , Lionel ,SD40-2 , E6 ATSF ,Atlas GP60's and Dash8-40b's worked quite well , never had any issues of electronics like people have today . Lionel TMCC was very easy , I had a Trainamerica signal enhancer which put the TMCC signal down both rails , worked beautifully .
Funny Lionel makes American flyer which is 2 rail and has Legacy , why they don't offer BTO 2 rail O , I think they are missing out , atleast they could do diesels easily . Those diecast ES44's would be super 2 rail models, they have all axles driven .
