I'm really impressed with the performance of all the Atlas N scale locos I've acquired, even the older GP40 I have, but my fleet needs a lot of H16-44s, and I haven't found the Bachmann drives' low-speed running quite satisfactory. So, does anyone have experience with replacing Bachmann drives with drives from Atlas H15/16-44s or possibly geeps?
I feel the need to give a compulsive bump. In exchange, have a Bachmann H16-44. http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/trainboysd40/MRR pics/IMG_0743.jpg
A "bump" brings a post back to the 'top' of the forum list. Usually done when a reply is still being sought and the thread has disappeared many pages in.
What in your opinion is wrong with the Bachmann H16-44? The only thing that Atlas has over them is that they coast better because of flywheels. I use DCC to solve that problem. As far as swaping, I can't remember. One of them had a narrower hood and I believe it was the Bachmann. If so an Atlas drive mech would not fit into it without some grinding.
I've done a minor experiment with this and I know that you can match an Bachmann shell with an Atlas RS3 chassis, as well, if you want, but you would need to cut off the coupler boxes from the Bachmann shell to be able to fit it properly..
I just tried the conversion, and if you file down (narrow) the short nose end of the Atlas chassis, the Bachmann shell will fit. The Atlas chassis is not quite as long, however, so an Atlas shell to Bachmann mechanism is problematic.