Flywheel drive verses Non Flywheel Drive

[modlerbob]

It is impossible for a 3 pole motor to have identical specs to a 5 pole motor.  Just like in piston engines the more cylinders the smoother it runs. poles being equivalent to cylinders.

[Mike CT]

The flywheel can have multiple purpose.  Momentum is obvious.  A smaller motor with a flywheel may be more economical that a larger motor with out.   In O-scale the flywheel may be equiped with an optical sensor that is coupled to an electronic speed control.  Extreme slow speed realism is sought after in O-scale   (2-scale mph)

Here are some pictures of an upgrade.  Larger motors replaced with smaller motors with flywheels.    Weaver E-8's with and Engineer on Board speed control upgrade.

E-8 A unit with standard can motors, no flywheels and an electronic forward reverse unit.


Remove all.


Put it all back together with much smaller motors.  Note the reader tape and optical sensor on the front motor.




The new electronics greatly enhance automatic operation with on board speed control.  The flywheel motors are a definite  plus. 

[Running Bear]

I have many locos (HO) that have flywheels and many that don't. The difference in performance is very great. If for some reason the track power is cut the locos without flywheels slam to a abrupt stop while those with flywheels (most of them at least) coast to a stop. When this happens on my layout (rarely) it's always on the back side and on a curve, the abrupt stop causing cars to derail.