Hi Guys,i was wondering if anyone would know where i could find a motor and drive for Bachmann HO Metroliner or if there is something like a doodlebug or something like that i could use the Motor and drive to re-vamp this Metroliner.
lol, i'm in worse of a position, i need to find a single geared wheel set. I have an original bachmann powered metroliner car. You probably are going to have to bite the bullet and go for one on ebay (which i know is an exercise in futulity because even junked units still sell for far more than they were ever worth new), or search trainshows like i did.
There isn't a whole lot you can do, unless you want to sacrafice the underbody detail. I wouldn't use a doodle bug, but an RDC frame might work. Then all you'd have to do is switch the side frames out, and see if you can't move the under body details over.
the main problem is that the original first run (and in my opinion the best run) of metroliners that had all wheel pickup/drive, had some really weird drive train with vertical drive shaft to each truck. I think the second run had similar set up except with a weird coupler gearbox set up instead of draw bars (they also removed some of the details present in the first run). After that, bachmann switched to single truck pancake motors and horn hooks, and plastic pantographs. Depending on your run, your metroliner might be easier or harder to repower.
Your best bet is to find an old powered car, and replace its motor with a modern one. It can be done, the only reason i haven't already is because i haven't had the time.