Converting a 3 rail model engine to 2 rail using the All Nation drives and truck assemblies is relatively easy. As mentioned in one of our recent videos on the topic, our proof of concept illustrated the potential utilization of the Blount Trucks that were standard sideframes on the Lionel model or our AAR Type A trucks that would essentially make this model into an ALCO S4. Below are a few photos showing this conversion with only minor modifications.
First, we located the correct position of the king pin holes (1/8” for our king pins) because the original truck mounting for this dummy engine used an offset hole with a swing arm attachment to the bolster that did not accommodate a proper mount for our trucks.
Second, since we are using the All Nation Tower Drive Transmissions, these have to be positioned on the front end of the engine because there is not enough room due to the cab and cab details not permitting clearances. Thus, the most difficult chore is cutting out a rectangle in the floor that measures 36mm by 33mm. A Dremel with a cutting disk makes fast work for this task.
The following photos present the overall profile of the Blount truck with the helix gear implementation.
The profile illustrating the use of a slightly higher tower and a chain drive sprocket assembly in the AAR Type A truck features the driven shaft on the tower slightly elevated and more in line with a motor drive shaft.
The chassis otherwise known as the floor is diecast metal. It is fairly thick and so our default king pins may require a little grinding down of material in order to use the c-clips to secure the bolster. There is also the consideration of using a washer between the bolster and the floor to adjust the clearance and manage the correct height of the couplers once reassembled.
At this stage of conversion, the only task left to do is installing the motor of your choice and a bracket to mount the motor to the floor followed by connecting the drive shaft up to the driven shaft on the tower.
Aside from being a moderately challenging project, the switcher project is ideal for tight layout spaces where you will be doing local switching of cars or general yard work to classify cars for there next destination.
Enjoy this video:
