I ordered a Tropicana 70 ton switcher by Bachmann Williams and its arrived at my train shop but I haven't had time to pick it up yet. Anyone have one yet?
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Scott, I guess you missed this one right here:
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...c/williams-ge-70-ton
What surprises me is that there is no mention of this recently arrived loco on the Bachmann website. On the top of the home page, there's a banner with changing images of new products. You'd think they'd have the 70 ton switcher on there.
People have wondered for a long time, what is happening with Williams by Bachmann? It appears Jack Lynch is no longer with the company. Many have speculated lack of corporate interest, but Bachmann is continually offering new products in other scales, so that can't be the issue. So then one might summarize it is a lack of sales. Though the list price of this engine is right on par with many of their competitors products that offer digital control.
Whatever the issue, this newly arrived engine has sort of fallen under the radar.
FWIW, I spoke to the rep at the WGH Hampton show and mentioned the issue of pulling the lead car off the rails. Funny thing was, he actually has on the design team for introducing the switcher. He wasn't aware there was a problem, and I explained it the best that I could, not having one. It was a good conversation and he seemed genuinely interested. I gotta say, they had some nice shiny new stuff in the other gauges though....
At Springfield, ma show back in January, WBB had the Tropicana version running around. It looked sharp. Hopefully they will get around to doing the Rahway Valley and that infamous one in SoCal.
They had 4 roadnames there, but I don't think I got a picture of them and I see trainworld has only 3 listed...
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MR_P posted:They had 4 roadnames there, but I don't think I got a picture of them and I see trainworld has only 3 listed...
Pictures are on the Williams/Bachmann website.
Hey, take a look at this. I'm referring to the line "This loco has been DISCONTINUED." That's a surprise.
https://estore.bachmanntrains....dex&cPath=77_673
I hope that's a mistake... That doesn't do much to instill confidence that you will be able to order any needed parts in the future.
No other loco I looked at states that. Even the Chuggington locos , which were just one shot deals that they only made a production run of 500, and sounded like they'd be discontinued from the get go after the initial run.
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Ok Ben, I'll bite. What did the "k" stand for in SBK?
prrhorseshoecurve posted:Ok Ben, I'll bite. What did the "k" stand for in SBK?
South BrooKlyn
The Railroad Reporting Marks page on the Trains Magazine website has good info.
Old Goat
Received my 70 Ton just today. I purchased the Rutland however my goal is to convert this to look like either #16 or #17 from the former, but still very popular short line here in Northern New Jersey, The Rahway Valley Railroad. I have an RVRR #17 in Sunset brass (pictured) which had been custom painted by its former owner when I bought it many years ago. The paint job and lettering were done very well over the original brass. Problem is this engine runs only DC and needs all new belts. So I need to find someone who can makeover this Rutland to look just like the this RVRR brass engine. I am just glad someone finally decided to make a 70 tonner. As far as I know, this is the first one ever make in AC 3 rail. I am curious as to how many of these are being produced. If I recall this was announced a couple of years ago and has only just now been in stock and still is on backorder in a number of train stores I checked.
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@NHVRYGray posted:
Are you doing these conversions as a business? I have one that I'd like backdated.
Not as a business, or other, still working on more for myself.
Here's what you do.
Using a straight chisel knife, carefully cut off the grill rivet details and headlights. Using model putty, fill the grill and headlight areas and sand using 600 (or finer) grit WET sandpaper. This will take multiple efforts to get smooth.
Using evergreen tubing, new headlight housings must be made. Note the all the early housings were NOT the same size. Drill and cut for new housings - CAREFULLY. Will probably need some putty touchup work afterwards.
Detail as desired. Be familiar with what you are wanting to model as details and accessories varied greatly.
Note I start with the CN version as there is less lettering to feather off for a paint basis.
Also note the if you add ERR TMCC control, change the sound to ERR sound (must do to work properly), add electrocouplers, and change the headlights. by the time you add in a core you will have well over the amount of a Lionel or MTH Medium to large sized diesel. Then you have painting costs as well.
Was hoping MTH would do one with DCS, but that aint gonna happen now. But if you want a 3 rail 70 tonner this is the only game in town.
That's it in a nutshell, all I can say is Jump in and swim, that's what I did. I've done probably 2 dozen for myself (not all with the electrical upgrades).
Would someone post pictures of taking the body off,please.
Trainworld has a great sale running on these right now. I'm planing on picking up the Rutland model. I run post war Northeast lines so this will fit in with the BAR, MEC, NH, PRR, and NYC. Alphabet soup
A ERR upgrade could be in its future. The WbB 44 ton engine is well done also if you are looking for a nice conventional loco.
Wow. Fixed pilots and all. What a nice little locomotive!
@harley rider posted:Would someone post pictures of taking the body off,please.
You posted this just after I had just closed mine up after replacing the reverse board. Do you need help with taking the body of or do you need to know what it looks like inside? If you're just need help opening it up:
- Remove the six phillips-head screws from the underside of the chassis. Two are in front of the front truck, two are just in front of the rear truck, and two are just behind the rear truck.
- Gently pull the hand rails out from the front and back of the cab. The plastic should be flexible enough to do this without breaking them.
- Lift off the shell. Remember that the wires for the directional lighting are connected from the reverse board to the lights in the shell. They are long enough so that you can fully remove the shell without unplugging them.
It's pretty straightforward once you're inside. There's the reverse board in the front and the sound board behind it. The motors are in the trucks.
Matt GNo27, thanks for posting the pictures! I just ordered the Southern Pacific 70 ton today, and just wondered what the inside looked like.
Has anyone done an ERR upgrade on these with electro couplers? Looking to uparade my Rutland but I remember some posts about challenges fitting electrocouplers to WBB switchers.
Will the 70 Ton run on DC?
@EricTrainMan posted:Has anyone done an ERR upgrade on these with electro couplers? Looking to uparade my Rutland but I remember some posts about challenges fitting electrocouplers to WBB switchers.
No, but I just ordered one from Trainworld, should get it Tuesday. Fitting the electrocouplers to the 44-ton unit was a BEAR! That took more time than all the rest of the conversion to TMCC! I haven't seen the 70-Ton locomotive, so I don't know what the couplers look like.
Williams 44-Ton Upgrade with ERR CC-Lite, Sound, & Electrocouplers
@harley rider posted:Will the 70 Ton run on DC?
If I had to guess ( and that's what I'm doing) I'd say probably not...
Mark in Oregon 🎄
Well, it will probably run on DC, but remember that the horn or bell would be continuously operating as they're triggered by a DC offset on the rails.
The bottom line is, with it's stock electronics, it's an AC locomotive.
Right.... that's what I meant to say! 😁
Mark in Oregon 🎄
Wow! How can you not LOVE that Tropicana diesel!
My birthday is coming up in 6 weeks, so I have three questions:
The posts above mention that the loco is throwing the lead car off of the tracks. Is this just the standard stiff coupler issue, or is it something more complicated than that?
There is also mention above of a problem with the pilot. Is this just a cosmetic issue, or does this relate to its proper operation or function?
Does anybody know what the overall length of the diesel is, excluding the couplers?
Thanks,
Mannyrock
I want to run this on DC ,and I would like to have the diesel engine sound. I don't care about the bell and whistle, so if someone knows how to do that please let me know.
Since the sound module is one piece, and it just takes track power in, no-can-do AFAIK.
Thanks John, I have never had a 3 rail locomotive, so I guess I have a lot to learn.
@harley rider posted:I guess I have a lot to learn.
Don't we all. I suppose one could try to figure out how to disable the DC offset sensing circuit to be able to run on DC, I never had the interest to try to do something like that.
Well I come to you from a DC HO 2 rail world, so I am used to DC.
@harley rider posted:Well I come to you from a DC HO 2 rail world, so I am used to DC.
Sure, but you didn't have a transformer with horn/bell controls.
Just ordered the Rutland version.
Store pick up too! I wonder what else might follow me home........
@gunrunnerjohn posted:No, but I just ordered one from Trainworld, should get it Tuesday. Fitting the electrocouplers to the 44-ton unit was a BEAR! That took more time than all the rest of the conversion to TMCC! I haven't seen the 70-Ton locomotive, so I don't know what the couplers look like.
Williams 44-Ton Upgrade with ERR CC-Lite, Sound, & Electrocouplers
Keep us posted on how it goes John! I saw your thread on the 44 toner. Hopefully this one is easier. Id like to upgrade my 70 toner but will let you do it first 😁
If it's anything like the 44-Ton model, it won't be getting electrocouplers!
I just check UPS and I should get my GE 70ton on Monday the 20, so I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas.
Mine is "out for delivery".
John, I hope you can post some pictures.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Mine is "out for delivery".
jeez.... I'm 10 minutes from the Lynbrook store and a half hour to Brooklyn, and I'm still waiting........
Well I am in CA in a small town with no hobby shop, and I think I am the only O scale person hear.
Well, it would have to be moving pictures if there's power on it. It runs forward all the time, the reverse board apparently doesn't work! The audio is so low you can't really hear it either, especially the bell, it's totally inaudible unless you really listen for it! All in all, a poor initial quality showing for the unit.
I fiddled with it on the bench and got the reverse unit to work, I think the switch needs replacement, had to exercise it a dozen times and it now runs in both directions. Bachmann also hasn't learned the lesson of the cheap plastic railings yet either.
On the flip side, it's a decent looking unit. However, any command conversion will be omitting the electrocouplers, they used the exact same power trucks and coupler design as the 44-Ton locomotive, those were a NIGHTMARE to convert to electrocouplers!
I set my track voltage through the TIU to the minimum possible, 2V. That still results in the engine running at a pretty good clip with a jackrabbit start, no finesse with this one!
Obviously, since I would target a command upgrade, most of this is moot, that will all be history with new electronics.
Not a bad puller considering. Here it is with 13 tank cars going down and up my 2.5% grade.
It's already looking a little different, needs some upgrades!
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Looks good John. Can't wait for mine to arrive.
Bob
Oh Gosh! I'm getting a vision . . . a vision of my future! I see, . . . I see myself ordering one of these, . . .opening the box, . . . putting it on the rails, and . . . and . . . it doesn't work! I see myself, . . . packing it up and mailing it back. And a $45.00 return shipping charge!
In the olden days, the King had a professional food taster, who tasted all of his food before it hit his plate to make sure it wasn't poisoned.
If I stay in this hobby, I can see myself hiring a professional train taster, to test all of my NIB locos before they hit my hands, to make sure that they work!
Mannyrock
@Mannyrock posted:If I stay in this hobby, I can see myself hiring a professional train taster, to test all of my NIB locos before they hit my hands, to make sure that they work!
I'm getting a vision... I see Manny rock bankrupt from having someone else test all his trains!
John, thanks for the video, and pictures. It looks like a good puller going up hill with all the tank cars.
Here it is again, only there's a difference. Now it's fully command controlled. I also gave it a decent headlight and a command controlled cab light. I used one of my saved Cruise Commander Lite boards for this one.
I used the gas powered motorized vehicle sound board, I like the sounds.
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That was quick work John.
Trainland called this afternoon. Mine is in. Going to pick it up tomorrow. 😁😁
@RSJB18 posted:That was quick work John.
I decided it should get command right away. About three hours after I opened the box, it's a fully command capable locomotive.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I decided it should get command right away. About three hours after I opened the box, it's a fully command capable locomotive.
And it just so happens that I have the identical ERR set up in my inventory. 😏😏😏
What a coincidence 🤣🤣
I don't think I could match the 3 hour timeline but you've given me something to consider.
Bob
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I decided it should get command right away. About three hours after I opened the box, it's a fully command capable locomotive.
So what took so long?!
@Tuscan Jim posted:So what took so long?!
I had to have lunch.
@RSJB18 posted:And it just so happens that I have the identical ERR set up in my inventory. 😏😏😏
What a coincidence 🤣🤣
I don't think I could match the 3 hour timeline but you've given me something to consider.
The one change was I put two 2mm LED's in for the headlight, I like the headlights to actually look like headlights! I didn't bother with the reverse light, but I did add a command controlled cab light, it's on the smoke output of the CC-Lite.
Too funny; looks and runs great!
@gunrunnerjohn Your final install came out great and inspired me to dive in and upgrade mine! Did you keep the existing Williams speaker? Any reason a Lionel Railsounds 5.0 board wouldn’t work instead of a ERR Railsounds board?