Anyone has information about Tyco Floodlight tower bulb replacement? The bulbs have a unique shape and I would like to replace one that has malfunctioned. I cannot locate the Tyco web site.

Thanks

wb2002

Thanks for the wealth of information you are providing - all very interesting. Of all the members of this forum there is no one else that may have or used this particular Bachmann car? I realize that this car is old but still looks very good to me and I wish I could use them.

Thanks
wb2002

I'm just imagining that if I mount the coupler on the car's body, it would most likely cause a derailment because in a turn, the center of the car's body is way out from the center of the track and the car in front of it. What is the advantage of mounting the coupler on the car's body in relation to mounting on the truck.

May I ask what kadee truck would you suggest and a long shank so that cars would not collide (contact one another) in a turn?

Thanks
wb2002

I am trying to get back in the hobby and use some old cars that I have. I have some 89' Tri-Level Auto Transport Cars and understand that Bachmann no longer support these. I want to use them with knuckle couplers with other cars. What trucks/couplers would work best for these extra long cars? Anyone have or had experience with these particular cars? Any suggestion/help would be appreciated. I am retired now and don't have lot of $ now.

Thanks,
wb2002

I doubt gear reduction would be any problem.  Significant improvements in this area would allow for this as well as the torque of the motor output. The motors/gearing is small enough to fit on each individual axle (that would be 6 or 4 axle) trucks. I don't think when this was tried, as you mentioned, that the technology was not as advance as it is today. Of course I am speaking of HO and larger gauge.

wb2002

I don't believe it would create any electrical problems which could not be easily solved. I also have some of these motors - some even with reduction gear mechanics (also miniature) that I considered using to simulate hydraulics for pistons on model construction vehicles.

I can easily believe the biggest factor for this implementation would be the almighty $. One could sell 3 or 4 of the present concept we have now as oppose to selling one with the technology of each truck axle with its own traction motor. I wish I had the skills, and equipment to build one. I have purchased motors of this size/power for about $12 - $18/piece. I might add that they produce quite a bit of power especially ones with reduction gearing. They also can be used for moving train signals. These motors and controllers for them are mainly used now for robotics and other applications.

Perhaps 20 years from now this will be the norm.

Just A Thought . . . . .

wb2002

While looking at my HO setup the other day, I thought why the loco manufacturers have not considered using small D.C. motors on each axle just as traction motors in real life? I know there are small and very small motors now that are powerful enough now. I was thinking of the diesel electrics I have such as the U33C's, C30-7's and SD's could be fitted with motors like these.

Just A Thought

wb2002

Thanks guys for all the wonderful ideas. Back in 96' I got involved with this hobby. I made my layout on a 4x8 with a 4x6 attached to one end. It was (I thought) nice. I then put the hobby on hold in 2000 because I moved to another state and just a couple of months ago decided to get involved again and extended the layout size to 2 4x8's (which I would call a 4x12 ?). It is a 4x8 with another 4x8 attached ("L" shape). Anyway, when I first started in 96', I used some road making kit that involved using some styrene, paint, and something to sprinkle on paint before it dried to simulate blacktop, and a little roller to press the sprinkling into the paint.  I am again now trying to repair roads and make a couple of new ones over some tracks. I have tried using plaster of paris, which works pretty good and "Fiber reinforced duct sealant" (bad idea). Please don't laugh too hard - I am learning. I am recovering without having to lay down new tracks.

I have one new question. Is there a tool or some improvised device I can use to clean off only top of each rail without damaging adjacent roadway?

wb2002

Anyone know of a product I can obtain from store like Lowes to use instead of Scenics's Smooth-It" to make roads on my layout? I don't live near a hobby shop and the one that is closet will not have it in stock.

Thanks

wb2002

Hello. My question is NOT "What is On30" but Why On30?

Thanks

wb2002

I can't imagine the magnetic field intensity generated by these traction motors. I am surprised they don't light up when building these gigantic magnetic forces that attract and repel one another. They have to be tremendously strong even if the power is directed through reduction gears before actually driving the wheels. I also imagine that by now, you can sense my fascination over this simple technology.

Other than the wealth of information provided with the original question, I have been blessed reading the story of a true life event - thanks for sharing. I am rather new to this website and forum and do not know if there is a location where stories can be written and shared. That would be a great idea - a location where someone that may have the talent, can entertain us with their true life train stories. I'd better stop before I get too far from the topic of this post  -  just a thought.

Thanks to all

wb2002

After reading the wealth of information in the responses to this question I asked on this topic, I believe the biggest factor in this popular method/configuration is the innovation and performance of the traction motor.  The torque-to-energy consumption ratio makes it very efficient in addition to all the other advantages that are available using this method. I, for one, am amazed at the power of a traction motor regardless of what other equipment that is needed to provide the electricity to make it work - be it alternator, overhead power lines, batteries, or whatever.

wb2002

I appreciate all the responses and all are very interesting. I also know that large seagoing vessels, and monster trucks also use this technology (diesel-generator-motor). I would like to hear from an engineer (NOT train - Mechanical) regarding the efficiencies using this method. It is like using a source of heat to generate electricity and using that electricity to again generate heat.  And, if this method is efficient and preferred, why not in automobiles and semi rigs? As someone also mentioned, many construction vehicles uses a diesel to drive a hydraulic pump and uses this fluid under pressure for locomotion and many other functions. I imagine there has to be some thought as the best way to transfer power from one source to another to perform the required task we desire.

This is very interesting . . . .

wb2002

The new F7's does not have a flywheel and the motor is different. The pickup is also different and NOT using the chassis as part of the  circuit.  Also, the chassis is quite a bit lighter (think it is aluminum). I am using "Union Pacific" and the color is also different than the original (it didn't matter to me because I used the old shells - for A & B units since they all fit well.) I even ordered couplers from Proto - short shank, and they did NOT make things any better.  At this point, I cannot think of anything else to do than modify the trucks if, I want to achieve the close coupling. Kadee provides the instructions with their kit to do this.

wb2002

I realize this may sound totally ignorant or stupid but I am curious as to why modern diesels locomotives use a diesel to generate electricity to power DC/AC motors on trucks  instead of using a diesel, transmission and coupling (differentials) to power trucks directly? I believe that the way it is now is perhaps more efficient but I was just wondering . . . . . . . .

Thanks

wb2002