Switching the wheels on MTH GP38

I have run a two wire cable from powered A unit to unpowered B unit and then to the second powered A unit, used 1/32 scale model car wiring to do it. It gave me both a hot and a common to power the horn in the B unit that I installed, and helped the other A unit through some Lionel accssory track pieces.

Lee F.

If you're not using any anti-derail Lionel turnouts you're probably safe moving the axles, assuming they're identical (they appeared to be on another Proto 3/2 engine I have.)

In reference to PhillyReading's response, that's a good way to ensure proper power transmission to MU'd locomotives.

Matt,

You may find this a little hard to beleive but I was having problems with Williams SD-45's and Lionel operating tracks and Lionel switches, so I added the extra wires and can have four Williams engines lashed together at once. Three SD-45's have rear power connectors that I added and two have front & rear power connectors and the fourth unit is a Williams Shark B unit with True Blast 2 installed. That's why a ZW is nice to have, extra power when needed.

Another thing that I did with an upgrade motor kit was to use the metal wheels to replace the plastic wheels on my newer SD-45's. Took the wheels over to a freind's house and ground off the flange and replaced the plastic wheels with metal wheels, works better.

Lee F.

On my 2-3 rail MTH I buy another set of three rail wheels and get rid of the traction tires altogether

I'd thought about doing that too, Clem.  With all the posts and threads about traction tires here on the forum, I'd often wondered why nobody had mentioned that idea.  How do the engines pull without those traction tires?

Larry

I had a conversation with a tech at MTH. He said the only problem switching the wheels would cause would be with non-derailing switches. I don't have any so I don't have to worry about that.

When I make the switch I will post an update.

Clem, I am also curious how performance changes without the traction tires. I generally pull 7 car passenger trains or 10-12 scale freight cars. Do you loose a lot of traction on grades pulling this much?

Hello Larry and Greg

I don't have any problem pulling thirty two freight cars on my water level route, with one SD40-2 My switching diesel PS-3 U-25B as the toughest job, peddling freight on a 2.5 percent curving grade spur, about ten cars is doable.  If i do have trouble I love making a locomotive consist. Most of my rolling stock is Weaver with Delrin wheels. 

I believe it. Between pickup roller spacing, traction tires and odd truck swing, I sometimes think its a miracle that these locomotives run on as many turnout variations as they do.