Does anyone, ( or has anyone powered an 'old' 'B' unit) know if it can be done, maybe with 2 'R' power trucks ? I know the 'new' stuff has powered 'B' units, I was just thinking about how neat it would be to power the old stuff ?
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Fun thought but realistically impracticable. The original cast frames do not have any physical voids available for mechanical power train transmission to occur. I think you will find it much more cost effective to find a second powered A unit and use that to add more locomotive power via Powered A - B - Powered A setup.
Yes, it's certainly possible. There was a guy (I believe his first name was Anthony) on Long Island, whose last name I have forgotten, who made several powered B units in the late 1980's. He would cut the rear half of a powered A unit frame, and JB Weld it to one half of a B unit frame. The modification was experimental. I believe, just to see if it was practical. At the time that I knew him, he had only done a few, but I wasn't interested in buying one, because my interest is in electric-profile locomotives and the price for the modified B units was beyond my budget, just to acquire an odd-ball item. Maybe someone here has tried that method, or some other scheme.
Thank U, Bmoran 4, and A P Bloom, Just thought it would've been cool. I have 2 powered 'A' units. Just something different. I noticed,(on my 'A' units) the pick-up is on the 'F' truck.
Lionel has made a few of these, over the years. That might be an easier route to take. However, if you want to go on a journey of enlightenment and discovery, you can roll your own.
Steve
