Bachmann GE 45t

I just saw a posting in which Bachmann has finally announced their rumored introduction of a GE 45t side-rod HO switcher. List price is to be $125, and it will be available in black with yellow handrails, among other undec schemes.

Get some OddBall decals and there will be opportunity to have the Frisco 11-spot in our future! But, where do we get the little red coonskin for the cab sides?

This is supposed to be new tooling, not just a modified 44t/70t. I have the Bachmann GE 44t model. It looks good, but doesn't run very well, but so be it. These little things probably sat around a lot anyway (except for the 11-spot, which earned its keep).

Ken

 

Try this link for another pic plus some information:

http://www.ho-scaletrains.net:80/id37.html

Ken

ps - Looked through my decal collection last night. Still have not found a small red coonskin for the cab sides on the 11-spot. Where we gunna get that?

 

I received an e-mail today advising that my 45-tonner will be shipped to me early next week. Glad to see Bob Hoover's comments on it. I can't wait to see it.

Ken

 

Bob -

I am told that ..... finally ..... my Bachmann GE 45t side-rod "critter" is on the way. I'll post a review.

Having this new model on hand will probably also stimulate me to complete my Bachmann GE 44t, which is half-decaled as SLSF 8 and has been sitting around untouched for about five-six years. One problem is that the 44t drive smokes after running it for about a minute. Not good! Fortunately, I also have an undec GE 70t which runs fine, so I will swap chassis. They appear to use the same chassis, drive and frame. The one GE 70t the Frisco had never ran anywhere, so having it sitting around as SLSF 12 on a burned-up chassis will be entirely prototypical ..... if I ever finish it!

Anybody know the correct shade of blue for SLSF 12?

I'm still trying to figure out what to do about the coonskin on the cab sides of SLSF 11.

Ken

 

I bought two 44-tonners when they first came out, and I've had no problems with them. They run slowly, don't pull many cars (just like the real one), and have gerat details. Both are painted in Frisco colors.

I'm torn as to whether or not I need the 45-tonner for the 11-spot.........

 

I received my Bachmann GE 45T side-rod switcher today. Like Bob Hoover, I got the black undecorated version with yellow handrails. The plan, obviously, is to do it as SLSF 11.

My first impressions were ..... Wow!, a cute little critter, and ..... Gosh!, it sure looks tiny. It looks like the dimensions are darn close, however. I wasn't aware that the GE 45t, even though it weighed a ton more, is much more petite that its 44t cousins. I never compared their pics side-by-side before. The 45t delivered a bit more tractive effort with less HP (300HP vs 380HP) than did the 44t.

In typical Bachmann fashion, a set of side-rods and counterweights fell off their truck when I took the unit out of the box! I'm not a big fan of Bachmann quality (I mentioned above that one of the motors in my 44t unit is slowly burning up its windings, smoking as it runs along), but I give them a lot of credit for producing several unusual, odd-ball models like the GE 44t, 45t and 70t, and their doodlebug. Nobody else seems willing to do that.

Thankfully, the side-rods and counterweights were easily reinstalled. The unit tested well - it ran smoothly and fairly quietly (some gear noise), though don't look for this thing to go very fast! It ran much better and quietly on straight DC than it did on pulse-power. I gave it a brief test - it pulls two or three freight cars fairly well.

For we Frisco-folk, however, there are some problems. Many of the details on the model are not the same as on SLSF 11 - handrails and grabs are different, in particular on the ends, and the step-ladders are on each frame end corner, rather than mounted one per side as on SLSF 11. The two center side windows have silvered frames, while SLSF had all four side windows surronded by black frames. The model also has two small air tanks mounted below the cab, while SLSF 11 looks like it had only one larger air tank below the cab. The two couplers (Kadee compatible) seem to stick out too far, and probably need replacement by a shorter shank version.

I'll have to give some thought to how much correction I want to do to this model to make it into SLSF 11. I've long held the belief that my modelling mission is to provide a "Frisco feel" rather than making everything as close as possible to their Frisco 1:1 scale relatives. After all, if I have, or will have, a Frisco E8B, a Frisco PA1, both in "racehorse" colors, and a Frisco FM Trainmaster hump locomotive in b/y ..... I'm clearly not a rivet counter! Now I understand I also should consider doing a Frisco GP20 in b/y.

In summary, the Bachmann GE 45t side-rod 300 HP critter, though needing some significant work to make into a perfect SLSF 11, is a nice, good looking, well running locomotive, easily available in the ~$90 range. It runs slow, and won't pull much, but it sure looks neat on the layout!

If nothing else, it is a definite conversation piece and attention getter. I like it - but am still wondering what to do about the coonskin logo on the cab sides, be it Frisco or the earlier AT&N version.

Ken

 

Howdy Ken,

Had you done any updating to the Bachmann 45 ton? If you have, please post a few picgtures.

I would like to stuff a sound decoder and speaker in there somehow. Think that is possible? A FRISCO 45 tonner would look great working the car barge on the Texas Western. I am even going to label the barge, Pinto...;-).

Best Regards,
mike

 

Mike -

I haven't done anything to my Bachmann GE 45t side-rod yet, other than to run it around the layout. I like watching those rods as it crawls along!

I thought I'd better finish the GE 44t I've had sitting around half done for about 10-12 years first. All I need now is some additional decal work and it will be done, as SLSF 8.

It still smokes from the rear motor now and then when it runs (the 44t). I think there is some excess lube or something on the commutator. The 45t runs like a Swiss watch.

I also have a Bachmann GE 70t, which some day will be SLSF 12. Bought it in Utah for very little $$. I have not touched it yet, other than to run the chassis around. No smoke!

I'll post pics when finished. I'm still undecided about how much surgery to attempt on the 45t's handrails, steps and porches.

Ken

 

Howdy,

Yesterday at the OKC train show, I didn't see a single 45 tonner, except one brass model for $345. The hand rails would have taken a lot of work, so certainly not worth it to me. I ordered a 45T from Caboose last night, so now I wait. I am hoping the cab is large enough to hold a speaker, although not sure what sound to use...more research. I'll try to post photos of progress. I need to decide what to do about the handrails, so I may just run it a while and work on the handrails later.

Good luck with the 44 tonner, and hey, don't diesels smoke?

Best,
mike

ps. I was surprised that there weren't any Frisco brass locos at the OKC train show either. My quest for a streamlined Sunset pacific goes on.

 

Ken,

Have you done any research for a sound decoder for the GE 45 Ton?

Best,
mike

 

Mike,

Alas, I'm an old fashioned fellow! None of my locomotives are equipped for sound, and none probably ever will be. So far, I have avoided the temptation.

So, no, I've done nothing about considering sound for the GE 45t. I'm just trying to figure out what to do about the hand rails, steps, and platforms front and rear.

I still run things at slow speeds on MRC Tech-II pulse-power. That's how way back there I am!

Ken

 

Howdy Ken,

If it works for you, great. Are the cab and hoods cast metal or plastic?

Best,
mike

 

Mike -

The GE 45t looks to be plastic cab, hoods, deck and frame mounted on a metal chassis.

Ken

 

Thanks again. ~mike