Milwaukee Bi-Polar

[bob turner]

Thanks for the photos and comments. I so far prefer the earlier squared ends, as MTH did it. And these things are showing up in various stages of unrepair and missing parts for under $150.

Good to know that 8 powered axles is not enough. I suspect that the real thing had 12 axle power. I might opt for 8 in the beginning, since I have no grades, but I can add weight over the powered axles.

Also nice to hear that the NJCB units are at least well soldered. I have seen early brass just fall apart (not Max or USH).

[E7]

Thank You Jim! Most instructive. I am guessing Bob will concur.

One error on a body that complex doesn't seem that bad to me considering the complexity of the thing. I kind of like the early ones with the ends that look like a mailbox.

I wonder how the MTH body stacks up error wise?

Rich

[bob turner]

As one might expect, the ends are identical. Box on one side, steps on the other. As with the N&W "J", I will never know the difference.

[bob turner]

Still watching these things. I am going to take the simple way out and opt for a complete MTH, maybe with burned up electronics. The way it looks, I can have one all day long for $325 plus shipping - there is always one on eBay at $325 buy it now. Most of the time they want another $60 shipping, so I am eyeballing one in Modesto right now.

Turns out the sideframes are plenty good enough for me, and I know how to convert China Drives to 2-rail.

I wonder why these things are so affordable? It is like those neat Lionel scale switchers at $175 - hard to pass up. Maybe the zamac is crumbling?

[Jay Criswell]

Looks like I was wrong. It wasn't a Bi-Polar. It was a Little Joe. Hey. at least it was for Milwaukee. Customer wanted it converted to P:48 at the same time I installed the new drive. I haven't used PB for a while so I'm going to be posting one or two photos at a time. I don't want to eat up all the available storage with my photos. Made new wheels in nickel silver (all insulated) and used wipers for pickup. The customer will install DCC & sound. I was just the proverbial black smith on this one. Drive shafts use NWSL Delrin parts burned out and cast in bronze.

Didn't like the wide gap between the motor and the flywheel but it had to be done to clear a bulkhead in the roof. Bulkhead couldn't be removed because it's really part of the roof detail.

Customer wanted it to negotiate 90", or so radius curves so I had to provide more lateral movement than normal

1/8" thick plate was added to stiffen the flimsy frame from Ajin (Overland).






Test track with 100" radius.



Turns out it negotiated 70 something inch curves in his yard and he wants to do another.

Still looking forward to doing Wolf's Bi-Polar.

Jay