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I was wondering what needed to be done to convert a 3-rail MTH premier diesel dummy from stock to a 2-rail model.

 

Ok, I know the first thing is to fix the pilot and put on kadees.  There are lots of threads on OGR about how to do that.

 

What about the wheels?  Can you swap them out with 2r/3r mth powered engine wheels?

 

What if its a facory-lighted dummy? Will you have to re-wire after swapping out the wheels?

 

Has anyone done what I'm proposing?  I have a NIB MTH SD70ACe non-powered I wanted to do this to.

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Hay Martin,

 

I converted a MTH premier 3 rail SP tunnel motor dummy loco to a 2 rail model by adding the 2rail conversion powered wheelsets. If the dummy unit has the 3r/2r conversion capable trucks, then it is an easy swap of the wheelsets.

 

The unit I converted wasn't a factory-lighted dummy, so I don't know if it would require rewiring or not. At a later date I was going to add my own lighting system but never got around to it.

 

I'm pretty sure the 70ace that you're wanting to convert, has the conversion capable trucks already, allowing easy conversion with wheelsets.

Originally Posted by Jeff78rr:

Martin, I've done 4 of these- same things as done to the powered for attaching the pilots and giving it full hand rails. If it is a SD70ACe, then it has the 3/2 capabletruck blocks. All SD70ACe's have these. Run it second or third in the MU and forget the lighting part.

I'm not sure why they mixed in some regular trucks with the dummies only. Maybe they did it to save money or use what they had. I have seen dummies ACes without the plastic bottoms.

 I have seen where the powered engine has plastic bottom 2 rail trucks and yet the matching dummy from the same run does not.

Last edited by Engineer-Joe
This SD70ace I am converting does have the plastic bottoms.
 
Originally Posted by Enginear-Joe:
I'm not sure why they mixed in some regular trucks with the dummies only. Maybe they did it to save money or use what they had. I have seen dummy ACes without the plastic bottoms.

Here's a pic of the front.  I fixed the pilot w 0.156" spacers, installed the kadee 742, filled in the gap around the kadee box with more styrene strips, and fabricated a new handrail to extend further down.  I also had to drill new holes to mount the snowplow closer.

 

 

bnsf sd70ace pilot fix

 

 

All I need now is the scale wheels.  Anyone interested in trading these high-rail wheels for scale?

 

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Last edited by Martin H

"Is it easy to make 2R dummy from MTH 3R dummy?"

No!!

I poured this part about a dozen times. Of course when the mold has flaws, the part is worse. I ended up with two pieces before the mold crapped out! I had plans of mass producing them! I think someone would be better off with 3D printing these.

 I traded an engine to Mike P here on the forum. I had to replace the pilot. The previous owner had bored out the fixed pilot and mounted an Atlas electric coupler to the rear truck. I hate when people do that. I wish it was mounted to the body. It's so large that I understand why it was done. These fixed pilots are so hard to get, I would think someone would have produced them by now. BUT NOT ME!!!

 

DSC_0355 [800x530)

DSC_0356 [800x530)

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Last edited by Engineer-Joe
Originally Posted by Jeff78rr:

Does anyone want to trade me 3-rail wheel sets, with the geared middle axle, for new 2-rail wheel sets? These are 6-axle units- have 6 sets to trade.

I should wait for Clem. I right now have six 3 rail 6axle powered sets to trade. I have 5 3 rail six axle dummy sets. I probably can dig up more under the tables. Some 4 axled too.

Trades in progress....

Last edited by Engineer-Joe

Joe you have mail

 

Gentleman I am always looking for MTH High rail diesel wheels without traction tires even the ones from non-2/3 rail locomotives, I can pull them off the axles. If any of you need axles, gears, blind center drivers or traction tire high rail wheels let me know.

 

Clem 

 

IMG_1583

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Last edited by clem k

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