Repowering B'mann H16-44 with Atlas RS1 Mechanism

[SAH]

The Bachmann H16-44 shell was a godsend for this AC&Y modeler.  The guts, not so much.  Kind of speaks to the old school discussion Victor and Co. engaged in a week or two ago.

The goal was to get an Atlas mechanism under the H16-44 Phase III shell.  The RS1 has the correct bolster to bolster length.  The Atlas H16-44 trucks will go into the RS1 mechanism.  Now to marry the shell to the mechanism.

Bachmann on the left.  Atlas repower on he right.


A close up of the test shell on the mech.  The cut away shell was the start of an experiment that I fortunately thought better about carrying forward.  It did make a handy way of figuring how much lead I could add to the top of the mech.


Getting the lead in.  The B'mann was a GREAT puller - When it ran.  80g total weight.  I'm up to 71g so far.


The styrene rails upon which the lead sheet rests provide electrical insulation and a raceway for the wiring are shown in this photo.  I joined two ATL H16-44 fuel tanks and had to grind down part of the RS1 undercarriage metal to fit the new tank in place.  The tank on the AC&Y prototype is not this large but I had to make some compromises here to maintain the integrity of the frame.  I'm OK with it.


Now to finish off the tank (fill the gaps) make a mold and cast a second one.  Then to figuring a way to secure the shell to the mechanism.  So far so good.

Your thoughts and good ideas are welcome as always.

Steve

[Puddington]

Interesting project. You're right, the Bachmann model is a nice addition for some of us (CPR modellers who don't want to kill themselves with the Kaslo kit) and it pulls like the real thing.... but it's a coffee grinder for sure. Which "version" of the RS1 have you used, an earlier Kato/Atlas version or the newer one?

[bbussey]

The truck sideframes were different on early and late versions of the model.  I'm going to stay with the Bachmann mechanism.  I should be able to get my two units to sync up with my Atlas/China GP9s and RS11s on DCC when the time comes.

[chessie system fan]

Fascinating project.  I've wondered about it too.  You can always sand down the Atlas sideframes and attach the Bachmann ones for better accuracy.

[SAH]

I'm using the China version of the RS1.  One of our NC operating crew members had two mechanisms in his surplus bin.  He let them go for the price of the decoders so it was a win for both of us.

One of the truck options Atlas provided is a match for the type under Phase III body style.  Some prototypes used the straight equalizer (not sure if that's the name for the part) and others had the "tear drop" version like the Bachmann model.  The last photo shows the truck best.  To be honest I was figuring on attaching the B'mann truck face to the Atlas truck frame and wasn't too thrilled about the prospect.  As I was looking through my Atlas H16-44 parts I had a happy kind of "Well I'll be . . . " moment.  Nice to get lucky for a change.

I poured the second part of the fuel tank mold this evening.  Perhaps I'll have some parts by the end of the weekend.

[SAH]

Here is the original Bachmann guts. . . . .


and the Atlas re-power job.  The lead sheet on top fixed the coupler height.  The styrene pads sets the side-to-side center.  The rubber baby buggy bumpers on the front and rear fix the front / back position. 


I wanted a fool proof way of aligning the shell  with the frame.  In another one of my "Hmmm, let's try this goofy solution" moments I remembered some packing material that is flexible enough to allow sliding the shell in place but rigid enough to withstand pulling/pushing forces.  I fiddled with the dimensions some before hitting on the right size.  The foam is CA'd to one side of the frame so the whole thing can come apart if need be (decoder replacement being the most likely scenario).  It seems to work fine.


The pay off;  A smooth running Ph III H16-44.  I was able to put some lead in the fuel tank so it weighs in at 77g.  The B'mann came in at 80g.  Not bad.  One unit will walk away with 25 fully weighted cars.  207 is now back in service.  I am happy.  Now to do 208 and then weather them both.

[peteski]

Nice work!
It also looks like if needed, you could slap on more lead sheet on the sides of the chassis.