Converting 3-Rail Loco To 2-Rail

actually overland models imported a baldwin centipede i 2r o scale about 1987. so you may want to see if you can find set of those models. i have a set in pennsy not painted yet.

I have a set of MTH factory 2 rail Centipedes in PRR DGLE 5 stripe passenger scheme.They were imported about 15 or more years ago. Not sure if they did 2 rail SAL centipedes or not.

Good to know that at least MTH offered their Centipede in a 2-rail version.  Unfortnately there were enough differences between the PRR and SAL Centipedes that I'd end up doing a good bit of re-work to the PRR shells to get a SAL model out of it... unless... the shells are interchangable... which would enable me to just drop a SAL 3-rail shell on the PRR 2-rail chassis.

 

Otherwise, looking for that Overland model will probably be my best bet, as I feel sure they probably did them 'road-specific' correct.

 

 

John Degnan

Scaler164@comcast.net

 

I have a set of PRR Overlands Centipedes, and like many early 1980's Overland diesels required quite a bit of work to achieve problem free running and body integrity.  With the Centipedes the major issues were weak motors and body shorts.  I replaced the two motors in each unit with a single high torque flywheel equipped double shaft Pittman motor.  To eliminate shorts I polarized each unit so that all wheels pick up on one side (like between locomotive and tender) and used miniature electrical jumpers between the units. With QSI DCC and sound, it now is one of my nicest running diesels.   You might want to check to see if Overland offered a version detailed for SAL - all I've ever seen are PRR versions.

 

Ed Rappe

John,

 

From one fellow ACL/SAL Modeler Yahoo member to another, welcome!

 

MTH does make a Centipede in their "Proto-Scale 32" line but painted in PRR.  This line offers the ability to switch from 3 to 2-rail use with the flip of a switch (so it says on their website):

 

http://www.mthtrains.com/content/20-5566-1

 

Sorry, that was a GG1, I'll look again for the Centipede.

 

I'm really not familiar with these 3-rail/2-rail engines, but I seem to recall you have to order the engine with the appropriate wheels (3 or 2 rail), maybe someone can help out with the details here.

 

Good luck!

Bob is correct.  MTH has a 3--2 system.  My Russian decapod has that system.  It is interesting to note that left and right side wheels are isolated from each other, even as a three rail model.  My guess is that this system establishes one production run for either 3 rail or 2 rail.   Most 3--2 locomotives/units have instructions for the conversion.  Remove the third rail roller contact pick-ups and flip the switch.

There is also discussion about scale wheel flanges.

I did another look at the MTH website and didn't see a 3/2 Centipede, sorry John.