Large Scale Central

Tyco 10 wheeler

Other Scales
#41

I have seen the can motor upgrades for the Tycos. But, the open frame motor with the new magnets, and with the excess motor lash fixed, run rather well on DCC. No, they will not perform like a $300 locomotive, but they also don’t have to be run at Tyco speeds neither.

I have several of the AHM 4-4-0s, and Bachmann 4-4-0s, and a bunch of can motors to upgrade them with. But working out the motor mounts, and all wheel power pick up, has become more of a challenge then I am willing to deal with at the moment.

I could have isolated the motor brush the way you described, but I was afraid that over time the edge of the motor frame might cut through the insulation. It probably would not, but I wasn’t sure. A package of nylon screws wasn’t that expensive, and with 12 in a package I can upgrade 12 locomotives. Currently I think I have 10 running, and 4 more I am working on.

#42

Hi David,

I realize this is a very old thread, but I have several of these old Tyco 10 wheelers and 2 12 wheelers that I am looking to do what you did. I am very new to DCC, but I am curious as to a few things.

  1. What super magnets did you use from Micro Mark?
  2. Did you test run the locomotive to see how well it ran after replacing the magnet and before converting it over to DCC?
  3. Did you add sound to any of these?

I no longer model large scale, but I am building an 1890’s era factious layout based in the Rocky Mountains, and I am using these old locos as well as Bachmann and Mantua, and AHM 4-4-0’s. Currently, I am running DC, but the future plan is to run DCC.

I appreciate any help you can offer!

Thanks so much,

Ken