Converting Williams 44 Tonner

Maybe you should ask NWSL,

I am interested in converting one of these too. I'm a little apprehensive though because Joe Foehrkolb told me he didn't want any part of converting one.

jonnyspeed,

You are correct.  I cannot convert one based on the cost of conversion.  That does not mean that a determined model railroader cannot do it himself. but I will not do it.  This subject was brought up before somewhere and the consensus seemed to be for what you would put into the conversion, you could find a brass Sunset or Yoder 44 Tonner.  Now, if the Williams has a nice paint scheme you want, maybe that is worth some effort.

Joe Foehrkolb

Baldwin Forge & Machine

I may be about to sacrifice a Williams 44 ton but I will try to 2R it. I am a rank amateur compared to Joe but I will give it a go. I will be taking photos along the way. I have designed my ideas in my head and will try to make it work. The unit will be sitting on my desk Friday. We will see!?!?!

Malcolm

I paid about the same for my Williams as I did for my Sunset. The plan is to put Kadees on the Williams, and I briefly thought about pulling the wheels in favor of scale, but the mechanism is such that it would be cost-prohibitive. For now it will be 3RS, but I'm curious to see what people come up with on this.

Anyone know if the new MTH 44-tonner can be converted for 2-rail?

In their infinite wisdom MTH decided not to offer a scale wheel version of the 44 Tonner. What that means is that the new trucks are not Proto 3/2 convertible. So you would have to insulate the axles and fashion your own pickup wipers. The good news is that the Proto 3 electronics will run fine on 2 rails using DC, DCS, or DCC.

It has started!

Cool. Keep the photos coming Malcolm.

I remember that - full set of drawings along with the Arcade & Attica article. I even got a few Weaver north-eastern railroad cars for a small-space O scale 2R layout, but I never got around to the 44-tonner.....hmmm....

Firewood,

That's the September '78 issue of Model Railroader Magazine...it has the How Ordinary drawing of the 44 tonner. 

The April '73 issue has the 1:48 drawing. 

Trucks are done. I hope to get the wiring finished and do a test run by the end of the week.

Brother Love,

Are you using heat shrink tubing for wheel insulation?  I see that green material sticking out of one of the converted wheels.  If you don't mind my asking,  how much time have you spent on this conversion to date?  I like your wiper assemblies.  ARe they screwed to the truck frame.  I think I can see a small screw in the middle of the PC board.

Joe

I like the work, Malcolm. What wheels did you use for the conversion?

I am wondering if you could use NWSL insulated wheelsets if this takes a Standard drop in conversion for Williams diesels.

Prospects are looking up! Please do share what wheels you used Malcolm. Thanks!

Hey guys,

The wheels are 33" Atlas wheels. The heat shrink is from Harbor freight. Method of installing wheels was thumb and index finger, no high tech here. Wipers made with Clover House pc ties and PB .020" wire.

Thanks, Malcolm

Dave,

I used my drill press to press the axles out of the old wheels. Even though I used my hands the wheels are plenty snug on the heat shrink. The Atlas wheels have a insulating bushing in them so the H/s is just to make them snug.

Malcolm

PS: Have not forgotten your decals, just been super busy

It is 2R and passed it's test run with flying colors. Re-decorating is next. I had the change the wheel wiper location and I will paint them before sideframe installation.

Malcolm,

As always, thank you for documenting your handiwork.

I'm curious as the reason the wheels are behind the skirt.  It appears that the wheelbase is a bit short or the skirt is too long?  Or is it the photo?  Checking drawings and prototype photos, the front wheels should be a bit more forward behind the steps.  Do you expect to encounter any clearance problems when the sideframes are installed?

Matt,

This is just a guess but I believe it was so the 3R wheels would clear the front steps. I looked a moving the truck forward but that ain't gonna happen. I OK with it as is. I have had the s/f installed and they clear everything.

Brother Love, its amazing work you do.

Malcolm:

I really like how that conversion turned out. Truly amazing work.

Malcolm,

The photo from the Williams parts list does not show how the trucks are attached to the frame.  Can you post a photo, minus the electronics?  Also, a brief video of just the loco starting/stopping on DC or DCC would be greatly appreciated.

Malcolm this is beautiful work. I have reached out to NWSL and encouraged them to come out with geared axel/wheel sets for the Williams 44 ton. It would be nice if they came out with a power pick up conversion as well, for us novices who don't have your skills...

I have also written to them about the wheels and gears.Perhaps if more of us write, it will happen...

I just realized that MTH plans to do a 44 Tonner sometime this year, I wonder if they will make a two rail conversion for their offering as well. I believe they have an extensive number of locos they have done in two rail as well as three. Any thoughts...?

Dave,

Regarding the Kadee couplers...Malcolm posted a photo in his other 44 ton thread...it's a styrene pad.

Wheel/axle mounting option:
NWSL offers insulating flanged bushings.  Check their website for specifications.

I am converting an HO loco mechanism for use in S scale and the NWSL flanged bushing will allow NWSL Proto64 wheels to mount on axle stock with the identical diameter as the HO axle....eliminating the need to accurately enlarge the hole in the axle drive gears.