Better Drive for a old MDC (Roundhouse) BoxCab

[Jürgen Pollak]

Hello

Sorry for me bad English.

I am looking for a better drive for the old MDC BOXCAB diesel.

Does one have an idea there? Web pages?

Could the drive match and work of a Bachmann diesel (GE 44)?

[Wolf Kirchmeir]

Post by Jürgen Pollak
Hello
Sorry for me bad English.
I am looking for a better drive for the old MDC BOXCAB diesel.
Does one have an idea there? Web pages?
Could the drive match and work of a Bachmann diesel (GE 44)?

Northwest Short Lines has a replacement drive IIRC. Check their website:
www.nwsl.com

The Bachmann GE44 drive doesn't fit as is. You would have to build a new
frame, or modify the MDC one. I don't know whether the GE44's truck
wheel base is the same as the boxcab diesel's. If so, it may be worth
the effort of rebuilding.

You could also search on "remotoring Roundhouse boxcab diesel" and
"remotoring Model Die Casting boxcab diesel." If anyone has written
about this in one of the major model railway magazines, you will find a
reference to the article.

Good luck!

[Jürgen Pollak]

Post by Wolf Kirchmeir
www.nwsl.com

NWSL have no new Drive for the BoxCab or Same chassies (Climax)

Post by Wolf Kirchmeir
You could also search on "remotoring Roundhouse boxcab diesel" and
"remotoring Model Die Casting boxcab diesel." If anyone has written about
this in one of the major model railway magazines, you will find a
reference to the article.

No references found on the web

any help?

[Geezer]

Post by Jürgen Pollak

Post by Wolf Kirchmeir
www.nwsl.com

NWSL have no new Drive for the BoxCab or Same chassies (Climax)
Greetings from Germany
Juergen

The MDC box cab is a model of the 1925 ALCo/GE/I-R locomotives CNJ 1000, B&O
1 and LV 100. Plans in the MR Cyclopedia Vol 2 show these units have 7' 2"
wheelbase trucks with 36" wheels, mounted on 17' centers on the chassis. A
scan of other diesel plans show all have longer truck centers (even the GE
44 tonner has 18' 9" truck centers), and most have longer wheelbase trucks.
This would suggest that it is unlikely any mechanism from another commercial
diesel model could be substituted for the MDC box cab mechansim.

In my experience, the problems with the MDC box cab are from the gear train
design with the large bull gear in the center of the chassis that results in
severe "kinks" in the drive train to the trucks on any curves. I therefore
do not think remotoring will do much to improve the operation of the unit.

I suggest you look again at the NWSL catalog at
http://www.nwsl.com/Catalog/CatalogSect4.htm
The PDT power truck # 37032-4 with a 7' wheelbase and 36" wheels would be
the closest fit for use in the box cab. The 2" difference in wheelbase
should not be a problem since the PDT has center axle bearings so the old
MDC sideframes would be cosmetic only. If you require the precise 7' 2"
wheelbase, it looks like you could build a suitable power truck using the
NWSL "Flea" components. Geezer

[p***@gannon.edu]

Post by Geezer
In my experience, the problems with the MDC box cab are from the gear train
design with the large bull gear in the center of the chassis that results in
severe "kinks" in the drive train to the trucks on any curves. I therefore
do not think remotoring will do much to improve the operation of the unit.

Geez:

I don't own the MDC boxcab, but I took a look at my catalog. It
appears the
boxcab's chassis has some bizarre kinematics. Unless I am mistaken,
the truck
is mounted on a sideways slider/flop guide and allowed to 'pivot'
around the U-joint
to the bull gear. If this is true, then it's some wonderfully naive
engineering. :)
I wonder -- would it be possible to constrain the truck better, and
give it a pivot
pin vertically in line with the single U-joint? How about a curved
slide?

Cordially yours:
Gerard P.

[mark_newton]

Post by Geezer
I suggest you look again at the NWSL catalog at
http://www.nwsl.com/Catalog/CatalogSect4.htm
The PDT power truck # 37032-4 with a 7' wheelbase and 36" wheels would be
the closest fit for use in the box cab. The 2" difference in wheelbase
should not be a problem since the PDT has center axle bearings so the old
MDC sideframes would be cosmetic only.

Alternatively, ou could try a pair of Black Beetles:

http://home.waterfront.net.au/~sem/bbeetle.htm

and order a pair with the correct wheelbase.

Cheers,

Mark.

[Larry Blanchard]

Post by Jürgen Pollak

Post by Wolf Kirchmeir
You could also search on "remotoring Roundhouse boxcab diesel" and
"remotoring Model Die Casting boxcab diesel." If anyone has written
about this in one of the major model railway magazines, you will find
a reference to the article.

No references found on the web

There was an article years ago on remotoring the Climax - same chassis.
I don't remember if it was in Model Railroader or Model Railroading.

[Jürgen Pollak]

"Larry Blanchard" >>

Post by Larry Blanchard

Post by Jürgen Pollak
No references found on the web

There was an article years ago on remotoring the Climax - same chassis.
I don't remember if it was in Model Railroader or Model Railroading.

Sorry, i search, not found. I have many Years of Model Railroader.
Have you found a Number of Magazine or better a Webside?

[Larry Blanchard]

Post by Jürgen Pollak
"Larry Blanchard" >>

Post by Larry Blanchard

Post by Jürgen Pollak
No references found on the web

There was an article years ago on remotoring the Climax - same
chassis. I don't remember if it was in Model Railroader or Model
Railroading.

Sorry, i search, not found. I have many Years of Model Railroader.
Have you found a Number of Magazine or better a Webside?

http://index.mrmag.com/

Seems there was even an NMRA bulletin on remotoring.

Remember to search on both Climax and boxcab diesel entries.

[t***@hotmail.com]

Post by Larry Blanchard
http://index.mrmag.com/

It,s the December, 1982 issue of MR. Actually there's relatively little
on repowering the climax therein IIRC. The article mostly dealt with
cosmetic issues although "lowering" the boiler required changes in the
mounting of the flywheel. Hope this helps. Thank you.
Jerry

[t***@hotmail.com]

Post by Larry Blanchard
http://index.mrmag.com/

It,s the December, 1982 issue of MR. Actually there's relatively little
on repowering the climax therein IIRC. The article mostly dealt with
cosmetic issues although "lowering" the boiler required changes in the
mounting of the flywheel. Hope this helps. Thank you.
Jerry

[Jürgen Pollak]

Post by t***@hotmail.com

Post by Larry Blanchard
http://index.mrmag.com/

It,s the December, 1982 issue of MR. Actually there's relatively little
on repowering the climax therein IIRC. The article mostly dealt with
cosmetic issues although "lowering" the boiler required changes in the
mounting of the flywheel. Hope this helps. Thank you.
Jerry

Thank you
I have the MR at 1974 complete
I go search the 12/82 issue
Many thanks from Germany

Juergen

[fl@liner]

On Sun, 21 May 2006 23:03:29 +0200, "Jürgen Pollak"

Post by t***@hotmail.com

Post by t***@hotmail.com

Post by Larry Blanchard
http://index.mrmag.com/

It,s the December, 1982 issue of MR. Actually there's relatively little
on repowering the climax therein IIRC. The article mostly dealt with
cosmetic issues although "lowering" the boiler required changes in the
mounting of the flywheel. Hope this helps. Thank you.
Jerry

Thank you
I have the MR at 1974 complete
I go search the 12/82 issue
Many thanks from Germany
Juergen

Magazine available from Railpub at: www.railpub.com


***@liner

[Jürgen Pollak]

Post by t***@hotmail.com

Post by Larry Blanchard
http://index.mrmag.com/

It,s the December, 1982 issue of MR. Actually there's relatively little
on repowering the climax therein IIRC. The article mostly dealt with
cosmetic issues although "lowering" the boiler required changes in the
mounting of the flywheel. Hope this helps. Thank you.
Jerry

I found the 12/78 issue of MR. i show. No better drive or remotoring. Only
optical changes of the climax. Not help for my problem.

[n***@bigfoot.com]

Model Railroader
September 1981

Build a 100-ton boxcab switcher

Regearing The Model Die Casting Diesel
NMRA Bulletin, October 1972 page 26
( DIESEL, MDC, REGEAR, "SOVEREL, MAL", ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, BL )

Testing the Regeared M.D.C. Diesel
NMRA Bulletin, October 1972 page 27
( DIESEL, "HIGGINS, ROBERT", MDC, REVIEW, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, BL )

Modification Of Roundhouse Diesel
NMRA Bulletin, June 1973 page 7
( BOXCAB, DIESEL, MDC, "MUGELE, RICK", REPOWER, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, BL
)

Another M.D.C. Drive Conversion
NMRA Bulletin, September 1973 page 58
( "BATTLES, ROBERT", DIESEL, MDC, REGEAR, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, BL )

Engineering an old time diesel
Traction & Models, May 1974 page 23
Converting to a BA&P box cab electric
( BA&P, BOXCAB, DIESEL, ELECTRIC, KITBASH, "MALLORY, JOHN", MDC,
CONSTRUCTION, ENGINE,
LOCOMOTIVE, TAM )

Boxcab oil-electrics, kitbashed using Athearn cabooses
Model Railroader, March 1983 page 75
( ATHEARN, BOXCAB, DIESEL, KITBASH, "LORENCE, BILL", CONSTRUCTION,
ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, MR )

Start with a diesel... kitbash an interurban, a Climax from an MDC
boxcab
Railroad Modeler, January 1975 page 48
( "APPEL, RICHARD", CLIMAX, DIESEL, GEARED, INTERURBAN, KITBASH, MDC,
STEAM, TRACTION,
CONSTRUCTION, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, RRM )

[Jürgen Pollak]

"***@bigfoot.com"

Thank You
Wow!!!
I think i must go order old NMRA Bulletin (from Germany is not good)
or can any send a scan of the sides from the NMRA Bulletin?

Juergen

Post by n***@bigfoot.com
Build a 100-ton boxcab switcher
Regearing The Model Die Casting Diesel
NMRA Bulletin, October 1972 page 26
( DIESEL, MDC, REGEAR, "SOVEREL, MAL", ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, BL )
Testing the Regeared M.D.C. Diesel
NMRA Bulletin, October 1972 page 27
( DIESEL, "HIGGINS, ROBERT", MDC, REVIEW, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, BL )
Modification Of Roundhouse Diesel
NMRA Bulletin, June 1973 page 7
( BOXCAB, DIESEL, MDC, "MUGELE, RICK", REPOWER, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, BL
)
Another M.D.C. Drive Conversion
NMRA Bulletin, September 1973 page 58
( "BATTLES, ROBERT", DIESEL, MDC, REGEAR, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, BL )
Engineering an old time diesel
Traction & Models, May 1974 page 23
Converting to a BA&P box cab electric
( BA&P, BOXCAB, DIESEL, ELECTRIC, KITBASH, "MALLORY, JOHN", MDC,
CONSTRUCTION, ENGINE,
LOCOMOTIVE, TAM )
Boxcab oil-electrics, kitbashed using Athearn cabooses
Model Railroader, March 1983 page 75
( ATHEARN, BOXCAB, DIESEL, KITBASH, "LORENCE, BILL", CONSTRUCTION,
ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, MR )
Start with a diesel... kitbash an interurban, a Climax from an MDC
boxcab
Railroad Modeler, January 1975 page 48
( "APPEL, RICHARD", CLIMAX, DIESEL, GEARED, INTERURBAN, KITBASH, MDC,
STEAM, TRACTION,
CONSTRUCTION, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, RRM )