Manufacturer: Bachmann Trains
Road names: 44 ton: Boston & Maine, Denver & Rio Grande Western, Pennsylvania. Painted/unlettered versions: Yellow with black stripes (pictured), black, green with yellow handrails. 70 ton: Bethlehem Steel, Louisville & Nashville, Southern Pacific, all two road numbers each. Painted but unlettered versions: Red (pictured), green, yellow and black.
Models of two other General Electric switchers are also available from Bachmann in HO scale. The HO General Electric 44-and 70-ton switchers, part of Bachmann’s regular product line, include dual-mode Digital Command Control decoders.
Weighing in under the “90,000-pound rule of 1937” that protected fireman’s jobs on diesel engines, a 44-ton locomotive could be legally operated by a single engineer. General Electric built the 44-tonner between 1940 and 1956.
The firm built the 70-tonner between 1946 and 1958 as a light-duty option for Class 1 railroads. However, this switcher, as well as the 44-tonner, proved more popular with short line and industrial customers. Both models’ dimensions match drawings in the Model Railroader Cyclopedia Vol. 2: Diesel Locomotives (Kalmbach Publishing Co., out of print).
To access the mechanism of each model, I removed the couplers and fuel tank and then lifted the body shell off the die-cast metal chassis.
The Bachmann 44- and 70-ton switchers use a mechanism that’s similar to the Spectrum series HO 45-tonner but not as smooth.
In DC the switchers started moving at less than 1 scale mph. Their 55 scale mph top speed is correct for a prototype 70-tonner, but higher than a prototype 44-tonner’s 35 mph top speed.
In DCC, the models didn’t start moving until speed step 7 at 3 scale mph. Both switchers lurched until speed step 10. At speed step 28 the models reached their 55 scale mph top speed.
Programming configuration variables (CVs) is limited with the Bachmann decoder. However, I improved the slow speed performance by setting the starting voltage (CV 2) to a maximum value of 255. The switchers then started moving smoothly at 2 scale mph in speed step 1.
These good-looking Bachmann switchers have enough power to haul trains in branchline, shortline, or industrial applications on an HO layout
My 70 Tonner runs like a rotor-tiller on concrete. Lubed and checked the gears and everything is alright. Next step to add sound proofing to the shell. Why spend $$$ for a poor running locomotive out of the box.
I recently purchased the 70-tonner. After cleaning the wheels using a paper towel and isopropyl alcohol, the electrical pickup improved considerably. A couple of runs around a friend's extensive layout before our usual operating session smoothed out the running noise considerably. Slow-speed switching was excellent after a little "break in". A good, relatively low-cost engine. Recommended.
I recently purchased the 70-tonner. After cleaning the wheels using a paper towel and isopropyl alcohol, the electrical pickup improved considerably. A couple of runs around a friend's extensive layout before our usual operating session smoothed out the running noise considerably. Slow-speed switching was excellent after a little "break in". A good, relatively low-cost engine. Recommended.
I've bought one of these 44 tonners with DCC and I am quite displeased with it. The running gear is poorly manufactured and the loco just bogs down. I can hear the engine running, the light is on but the loco goes nowhere. All my new purchases are from other manufacturers since I don't trust bachmann products.
I've bought one of these 44 tonners with DCC and I am quite displeased with it. The running gear is poorly manufactured and the loco just bogs down. I can hear the engine running, the light is on but the loco goes nowhere. All my new purchases are from other manufacturers since I don't trust bachmann products.
I just purchased the 44 ton engine. Right out of the box with no break-in it runs very well. I plan on building a small float
yard type layout, so was a bit worried on how it would operate over switches at slow speeds. On a temp track set-up (using DC only) with many closely spaced switches it did quite
well, rarely stalling. It could use a bit more weight, but in such a small engine i dont know where it would go. I plan on
buying the 45 ton side rod engine as well.
I wish someone could market an 0-6-0 tank steamer that ran and looked as good as the 44/45 ton GE's!!
I bought the 44 tonner and had no trouble re-programming the address, I have found it to be a good runner.
I bought the 44 tonner and had no trouble re-programming the address, I have found it to be a good runner.
I bought the Bachman GE 44-Ton Switcher (B&M). And although it wasn't real pricey, right out of the box it worked poorly to not at all. Tried to return it to the address in the box and it got sent back (address unknown). Not sure I'll ever purchase a Bachman product again — There's just too many other manufacturer's (Atlas, Athearn, InterMountain, & Life Like Proto 2000) that produce high quality, great running equipment.
I bought the Bachman GE 44-Ton Switcher (B&M). And although it wasn't real pricey, right out of the box it worked poorly to not at all. Tried to return it to the address in the box and it got sent back (address unknown). Not sure I'll ever purchase a Bachman product again — There's just too many other manufacturer's (Atlas, Athearn, InterMountain, & Life Like Proto 2000) that produce high quality, great running equipment.
I purchased my B&O 44 tonner about a year ago. After a little wheel cleaning, it ran smooth as glass. Still a great performer. Great little switcher in my opinion.
Regards,
Jonathan
I just purchased a 44 tonner two weeks ago and find that it is just what I need in a switcher. Great little model and it is doing the job well. Thanks for the tip on CV-2 – it really helped improve on a piece that was already acceptable.
I recently purchased 44 ton and quickly returned it. In contrast to the 45 ton I have which is wonderful. Out of the box the 44 ton ran it only a short distance and it "bogged down". I removed the shell and found that the small plastic ring ,on the lead truck, that snapped in place and held the truck and drivetrain in place (a bad design in my opinion) had popped out of place. I reseated it. The unit ran a short distance then it popped out again. This happened 4 times in total. Adding to my disappointment was when I looked at the "exploded" drawing included in the kit, and it did not match what I had. This drawing showed a plate held in place with four screws not a plastic ring that just snapped in place. The plate and screws seems to be a much better choice.
I just bought a Bachman 44 ton switcher and a Bachman Spectrum Steam loco (4-8-2) and had a heck of a time trying to reprogram the loco address on both of these locos with my Digitrax Zephyr DCC Command Station. Nothing would work. I bought a Power Pax DCC programming booser from Tony's trains and this worked great for programming the Spectrum steam loco on my programming track. Everyone should get one of these guys!
I could not however, program CV1 loco address on the 44 ton switcher on my programming track or on the main line with my Digitrax Zephyr DCC command station. It will only run at its default 03 address. Anyone have any ideas on this?
Ive fitted TCS decoders to models of both these locoomotives the back emf function allows them both to move increadible slowly and smoothly although they both have noisy mechanisms at speed, not an issue if you use them for switching only. Ive repainted a red 70 tonner to CN colours and detailed it and it looks great.
I have a Bachman 70 tonner that sounds like someone popping popcorn as it goes down the track so disappointing Bachman!
I will probably buy one or two of these, but I wish(!) that Bachmann would offer these with sound.