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First, my apologies if this is not the correct forum for this question. Please suggest another location if necessary.

A buddy of mine recently purchased the scale wheel version of an MTH ES44AC with proto 2-3. The issue is he runs only hi-rail (H-R). So he has asked for my help in deciding what to do. His initial thought was to convert it to H-R. But before we go down that road, some questions.

His layout is all Gargraves track with GG and Ross Custom turnouts. Minimum curves are 0-72.

From what I’ve read, scale wheels will work OK on GG track, but H-R switches are an issue. Since we are dealing with an engine, instead if trailing cars, does that exacerbate the problem? I’m thinking installing H-R wheels sets in this engine is pretty straight forward, especially since the unit came with the 3rd rail pickups installed. Correct?

The next issue is the coupler and pilot. The unit came with fixed pilots and no couplers. AFAICT, there is no way to install the normal “lobster claw” H-R coupler unless the pilot is changed to truck mount. If K-Ds are installed, will they mate correctly with H-R couplers? I’ve never tried it and do not know. If not, then that will relegate the unit to single unit status (no MU since no other engines are so equipped) and require the constant use of an adapter car with a KD at one end and an H-R coupler at the other.

Presuming the pilot needs to get changed, then the handrails need to get changed as well. I did not look that closely, but presume that the requisite holes are in the shell for the H-R configuration. Correct?

Lastly, the pilot has yellow stripes painted on it and the replacement pilot would require the same treatment.

So presuming the answer is to do the conversion, does anyone have parts available that they have stripped off an H-R ES44AC?

 

Chris

LVHR

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Many 3rs people prefer the fixed pilot engines for their more realistic look but will then swap in deep flange wheels. Kadee couplers are used. Kadees will not work with standard 3 rail style large couplers. Scale wheels will probably have issues through those switches as well, but there's only one way to know for sure. Test it. It sounds like his layout is strictly deep flange wheels, swinging pilots, and large couplers. A "reverse conversion" is definitely not something that I'd recommend, but nothing is impossible. Finding the other version of the engine would be a far better option. 

See the Kadee web site catalog    Kadee site  for the various versions of the traditional standard 805 coupler mentioned above.  Different shank lengths are available, as well as plastic and metal versions.  The acetal plastic versions are available in black, rust, and brown colors.  In 2 rail insulating metal cars and locomotives from one another is important, and the mix of Kadee versions makes that easy.  I have over 80 hopper cars equipped with the rust color #800 version - no issues whatsoever related to their strength or operation.  The new more prototypical contoured (hidden spring) 94x series  couplers look better than the older 80x series, but in tests I found the 80x's couple and uncouple more reliably on curves in my industrial and mine  trackage - so I decided to standardized on the rust colored 800 model.  I understand from prior  posts on the 3RS forum that the 800 series Kadee's will couple with most "lobster claw" 3 rail couplers, while the tight tolerances of the new 74x product line thwart "promiscuous" coupling. 

Last edited by Keystoned Ed

Thanks to all who responded. This has been a learning experience.  Looks like it is time to scare up a set of 805s and H-R wheels. (Anyone have a full H-R set for a 6 axle MTH diesel that they are willing to swap?)

Unless of course, someone has a Hi-rail version of the Interstate that they are willing to swap for the scale version...

 

Chris

LVHR

lehighline posted:

Thanks to all who responded. This has been a learning experience.  Looks like it is time to scare up a set of 805s and H-R wheels. (Anyone have a full H-R set for a 6 axle MTH diesel that they are willing to swap?)

You should be able to purchase one of those 6 axle Hi-Rail Wheel sets from ANY of the OGR Forum Sponsors, or even your local hobby shop.

Unless of course, someone has a Hi-rail version of the Interstate that they are willing to swap for the scale version...

 

Chris

LVHR

 

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