Timko upgrade using mabuchi 385

It depends on the engine but for the Pullmor Hudsons and Mohawks there is not enough room assuming you use the Timko Mount. To use a 555 you would have to alter the casting on those engines much like Harmonyards does on his Pittman upgrades. 

The 385 is OK for 5 or so 18" heavyweights. All of the K-Line Scale engines use the 385 and thats about their limit assuming long run times. They will pull more cars but then overheating becomes the issue.

Pete

At least some of the K-Line Scale engines with the RS-385 mounted backwards in the boiler had smaller drivers, and were geared lower than a Reading T-1 or Lionel scale Hudson.  Those extra RPM, perhaps 25% more, make a difference (although several folks have posted that their K-Line Hudson didn't maintain speed well until speed control was added.)  Maury Klein was trying to crack the scale steam market at a $600 price point, and had to cut corners somewhere.  So he probably saved a whole $24 on each loco buying the RS-385 motor in bulk instead of a Pittman. 

The Timko swaps are designed to be pretty much a direct bolt in swap for the Pulmor motors. They are great swap kits for the DIY guy with no desire to cut on the frame or body. Hence the smaller, less intrusive motor. Obviously, the smaller motor isn’t going to perform like a large Pittman or Mubachi 555......however, like Pete mentioned, it depends on the locomotive and the job you’re going to ask the locomotive to do. Small trains, less run time, probably be fine forever.....bigger loads, grades, and longer run times will require bigger power. In retrospect, my 385 powered Kline Hudson acted stupid with a load of 7 18” heavyweights once it started getting warm ....I haven’t gotten around to investigating a remedy for that locomotive yet, so for the meantime, I have it on commuter duty pulling 3 MU cars and it’s very happy in that role and hasn’t given me any fits since...but I dare not ask it to drag a name train for any length of time...So, sum it all up for the OP it’s all going to boil down what locomotive you intend to do the swap, the job you’re going to ask it to do, and the length of time you want it to do that task..........Pat

Check out my post on my Warhorse conversion. It will not creep consistently like modern engines, but once at speed it does well. In this case I couldn’t shove a larger motor in there. The gearing does not allow the older post war style engines to creep consistently with a typical 385. Since the post, I put the engine on a layout where I could properly run it and am very pleased with how it functions. 

SPFord27 posted:

Check out my post on my Warhorse conversion. It will not creep consistently like modern engines, but once at speed it does well. In this case I couldn’t shove a larger motor in there. The gearing does not allow the older post war style engines to creep consistently with a typical 385. Since the post, I put the engine on a layout where I could properly run it and am very pleased with how it functions. 

And for ease of installation, you’d give it an A+ correct?........Pat

harmonyards posted:

SPFord27 posted:

Check out my post on my Warhorse conversion. It will not creep consistently like modern engines, but once at speed it does well. In this case I couldn’t shove a larger motor in there. The gearing does not allow the older post war style engines to creep consistently with a typical 385. Since the post, I put the engine on a layout where I could properly run it and am very pleased with how it functions. 

And for ease of installation, you’d give it an A+ correct?........Pat

Yes, this was a very easy swap. Unbolt the old motor, mail it to Timko, receive new motor and bolt back in. Have to make the appropriate electrical changes of course.

Well darn...was hoping for a way to get late model performance without chopping. 

I really like the retro look of those engines. Not too fancy...but reasonable detail and rugged.

One last thing because I  haven't looked...is there room inside the engines to move the motor to the other side of the gearbox? If so...could a larger motor be installed in that manner?

gibson man posted:

Well darn...was hoping for a way to get late model performance without chopping. 

I really like the retro look of those engines. Not too fancy...but reasonable detail and rugged.

One last thing because I  haven't looked...is there room inside the engines to move the motor to the other side of the gearbox? If so...could a larger motor be installed in that manner?

 

Which locomotive are you speaking of particularly?.....I can’t see any of the postwar or LTI Pulmor equipped locos having the motor flipped around....thats not going to be feasible project by any means...........Pat