I have just recently purchased a Bachman Spectrum Conrail Dash 8-40CW. I just have a few questions about them anythign will help: 1. Is there a better motor that will make an easy replacement and where would i go about buying it and around how much? 2. Traction Tires - Is there anyway that i could install a pair of tractions tires to this engine and as before where and how much? 3. finally when running this engine it rattles and its extremely loud you can here outside i was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I'm new to model railroading so any info or tips will be greatly appreciated.
you didn't clarify if this was an older or newer generation C40-8W. the old one has open pilots and yellow headlights. The newer and far superior version has blue/white headlights is DCC compatable and looks much better. For the older version, use the Micro-trains pilot conversion #1168. this will fill in the pilot cavity. you will need to trim the coupler box off the truck sideframes. this can be done with rail nippers. you may need to replace the 1015 coupler provided in the 1168 conversion with a 2004 coupler as the 1015 rides low on some units. the newer DCC version of the C40-8W uses a 2004 medium extended coupler. you must reuse the small screw that comes with the loco because the mtl screw is too large. I would avoid traction tires on these units as much as possible. they pull well out of the box and would look better with two units pulling a long train anyway. if you have an older series engine, you could use a traction tire equiped wheelset from one of their cheap trainset F9s from the 80's. you'll have to swap out the center gear, as the F9 and the C40-8W have different ratios. with the newer version. you are out of luck. The moter is a smalish 5 pole skewed amature. these are virtually identical in both generations. I would keep this moter, it is pretty reliable and has great low speed. these have always been pretty loud.
sorry I wasn't aware there were two different ones. I believe this one is the older version since it has yellow lights and no where to install DCC. I was asking about the motor because i came across one and it didn't run so i took it apart and tested the motor and it didn't run at all. but thank you for the help
I have TONS of these moter flywheel assembilies laying around. E mail me off list with your addy and i'll send one. These models have always been laughed at by the modeling community, but I have some nice looking reliable runners. They take some time to rebuild, but its worth it in my opinion. here is a first generation unit i repainted and detailed: Here is a shot of the second generation unit. These things feature MU hoses, plows, flush fitting glass, thin handrails, non working ditch lights, coupler lever, sunshades (which i took off because CR engines were not equiped).
After a bit of running in ive found these locos to quieten down over time. The only thing that i find lets these down is those over deep door/cabinet outlines. Whoppit CSX Chessie Still Xists!
