These old engines, manufactured completely of metal, have really a special charm. They are not the most "prototypical" models, an not exactly true to scale, but they have a good traction power and fine driving characteristics, which is quite more important for all those who want to see their trains running on the layout.

This conversion is very similar to that of the BR 141 of the same manufacturer. As a first step, all parts necessary for DC operation were demounted, including the fungi form contact.

The description of the BR 141 mentioned an electrical connection of one of the motor connections with the chassis (ground!). It can be severed easily, because the motor shield is manufactured as a kind of board with circuits.

Older Fleischmann engines, however, have motor shields made completely of metal, where also one motor connection is grounded. This has t be changed for AC operation.

So, one way would be to drill this motor connection from inside until there isn't any electrical connection left. If you choose this way, work carefully!

The alternative is ordering a new motor shield. Fleischmann offers new motor shields for these old engines. They consist of pertinax, so there's no electrical connection. It's spare part number is 50 4750.

This is the easier way, although the new part have to be ordered as spare parts first. A good chance to renew the brushes as well, for the case they are worn out.

Note: Digital DC  railroaders have to do the same changes on their models, if they want to convert their old locos for digital operation!

The undriven bogie had to be countersanked at it edges, so that the pickup shoe (#7185, the long Märklin pickup shoe) has enough free space on tunouts (with their higher point contacts). Apart from that, the free space beyond this bogie is quite enough, allthough it didn't seem so at first. Some black insulation tape prevents any electrical contact between the pickup show and the bogie (ground!).

After that, the gauge of the wheels should be corrected, in conformity with the Märklin norms.

Please note a special detail of the E 44: it has no real frame, like other models. The bogies are mounted with special holderings, directly at the shell! To demount the bogies, you have to unscrew with holderings.

	The undriven bogie, used for power take-off. The bogie had to be countersanked at it edges, so that the pickup shoe (#7185, the long Märklin pickup shoe) has enough free space on tunouts (with their higher point contacts). Some black insulation tape prevents any electrical contact between the pickup show and the bogie (ground!).
Th chassis of the E 44. On the left side, the driven bogie. If you look closer, you can see that this model has no real frame.

The E 10 showing its new AC equipment for the photograph. The reversing unit is a Roco part.
The motor with the new pertinax motor shield.	The other part of the engine. Note the reversing unit in the middle of the loco.
The completely assembled engine. The proportions of the protptype are reproduced quite well.

Despite of their age, these are great models, which are a real enrichment for every layout. The driving characteristics are very fine, which is, however, typical for Fleischmann models.

Disclaimer. I can NOT be held responsible for any damage you cause by following my instructions, on modifying your model railway equipment. Everything you are doing, you are doing it at your own risk!