Converting a Tyco C630 to DCC using a HobbyTown of Boston Kit

[@ModelingSteelinHO]

I Foamed the entire time. Frothing even. Great build with a legendary brute of a model drive train. Very cool Chris. Thank you for sharing.

[@Militiaman71]

I have the Chessie version of this locomotive. Cosmetically it looks great. Just the motor is in bad shape. Now I want to try this . Thanks for posting.

[@chrisdaniell2990]

The Hobbytown of Boston kit is not exactly 'easy' to assemble; many parts required filing. I mainly did what I did because I wanted a 'smooth running' Tyco to run on a DCC layout. Personally, I'd only upgrade iconic locomotives from Tyco (Silver Streak, Midnight Express, Canadiana, Rocky Mountain Line).. I don't think the other releases are 'worth it' because modern day manufacturers do a better job than Tyco. If your power torque motor is bad, it may just need cleaning; throwing $200+ at a Tyco is wasteful... however, I had 'fun' putting it together and I'm 'okay' with taking a $$ loss when it comes time to sell. (I probably made the locomotive worth even less on the collector market after I 'upgraded' it, lol) Good luck with whatever you decide to do with your Chessie.

[@srenchin]

8:50 That part can be called either a bushing or a bearing.

[@donaldrodgers8389]

Good job on bringing the Tyco unit back to life.Would you ever do one with sound?😊

[@chrisdaniell2990]

Not using a HobbyTown of Boston kit, no. It's so loud that any decoder/speaker combination wouldn't be loud enough to drown out the sound of the gears. Sound-equipped locomotives sound great when parked at a locomotive shed, open the throttle up and the sound is somewhat lost to the whirring of the motor and distance as the locomotive moves further away from your ear - which is why very few sound-equipped models 'sound good'. My best sounding locomotive is an ESU/Apple iPhone aftermarket speaker combination. On this particular model, you have to be happy with the sound of the motor/gears and accept it for what it is.

[@smccoy5114]

Hey Chris, would an after market snow plow painted blue cover the hole in the pilot?

[@chrisdaniell2990]

I'm thinking it will... a guy on Diesel Detailer did that and it looks pretty good.

[@ModelingSteelinHO]

30:39 Who makes that tool ? Need that.

[@chrisdaniell2990]

Kadee. (You can probably get one at any auto parts store)

[@ModelingSteelinHO]

@@chrisdaniell2990 Thank you.

[@Christiane069]

The mechanism is very unusual at best, but it works.

[@chrisdaniell2990]

It's a metal kit and can be used a number of ways depending on the locomotive; therefore the design has to be flexible based on application.

[@Christiane069]

@@chrisdaniell2990 I have a Bachmann E9 with a very strange mechanism. I might try one of those to have a better running loco. I don't know about the driving system, may need a new one. Would be a big challenge.

[@chrisdaniell2990]

I don't think HobbyTown of Boston drives are compatible with the E9, you'd have to check their website. I'd try repairing what you have, probably needs cleaning? Trust me, it's a very intimidating kit when you first get it. My first kit sat on a shelf for almost 2 years out of reluctance/fear. However, once you understand how the parts go together, it's a snap. I only made the video tutorial because you'll never figure out how everything goes together just by reading the instructions, lol.

[@Christiane069]

@@chrisdaniell2990 Well, actually the loco runs but I would like better performances. As far as cleaning the motor unit on the one only truck with motor, it is sealed. No improvement possible there. I will not buy an other Bachmann again. This one was second hand. That will teach me. Right. I guess I would not mind to do some experiment with this unit.

[@chrisdaniell2990]

@@Christiane069 In that case, sell it on eBay, upgrade to a different manufacturer.