JP of Acton MA, USA writes,

Here are some ideas for possible products that could be produced by WBB:

For those like me who are into Transit/Trolley/Rapid Transit/Light Rail trains, my ideas for future WBB products are as follows: (yes, I know WBB produced Peter Witt trolleys, but here are more ideas)

-PCC Railbus - this was basically a de-electrified PCC and fitted with a gas or diesel engine for running without overhead wires. The New Haven RR used one long ago
-double end 2 truck j.g. brill trolleys - open and enclosed versions
-Steeple-cab electric locos
-PCCs - both double and single end
-Breda/Kinki-Sharyo/Boeing-Vertol Light Rail Vehicles - As currently used by the Mass Bay Transit Authority (Boston MBTA)
-Subway cars - NYCTA (New York City) and MBTA (Boston MA)
-Metro North M 2/4/6/8, M 1/3/5/7/9 commuter cars
-Metro North Bombardier "push/pull" commuter cars
-Long Island M 2/4/6/8, M 1/3/5/7/9 commuter cars
-Long Island Bombardier "push/pull" commuter cars
-Boston MBTA Bombardier "push/pull" commuter cars
-single truck double end birney safety trolleys
-Perley-Thomas New Orleans trolleys - both the original green "Streetcar named Desire" ones and the later red "Riverfront" ones that were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina
-San Fransisco cable cars
-Ex Philadelphia SEPTA, now San Fransisco "F" Line PCCs as reconditioned/restored by Brookville Equipment Company of Pennsylvania, and painted to represent various cities that once ran PCCs
-Amtrak (or other road name) Metroliner EMU cars - these cars have similar body shape as Amfleet passenger cars, but include pantographs, control cabs at one or both ends, and traction motor equipped trucks
-Budd SPV 2000 EMU rapid transit cars featuring roadnames of railroads that ran them such as Amtrak and Connecticut's Metro North Railroad
-Budd B.U.R.T. Rapid Transit EMU Commuter Cars
-New Jersey Transit DMU Light Rail Rapid Transit Cars
-Philadelphia SEPTA Bullet rapid transit cars
-Philadelphia SEPTA LRV's - both sinlge and double end
-Chicago North Shore Line/Philadelphia Red Arrow Electroliners
-Chicago, North Shore, and Milwaukee high speed Interurban cars - including the famous 'Silverliners'
-US DOT "State of the Art" Cars (SoAc) - Only 2 were built as experimental replacements for older subway cars and were tested in city subways in Boston, New York City, Chicago, and Philadelphia. The 2 cars were not accepted by any of the city subway systems in which they were tested, and ultimately became static exhibit cars at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport Maine. See this link: http://trolleymuseum.org/collection/browse.php?id=SOAC1RDC
-"Sprinter" DMU Light Rail rapid transit cars
-"Pay As You Enter" (P.A.Y.E.) Trolley Cars
- Type S-70 Light Rail Transit cars
- Toronto TTC CLRV's / ALRV's
- Montreal Tramways "Golden Chariot" Open topped, Tiered seat Observation trolley - Only 4 of these truly unique trolleys exist, and all 4 are preserved, restored, and operate at various museums: Seashore Trolley Museum (Kennebunkport Maine) Montreal Tramways #2, Warehouse Point Trolley Museum (East Windsor Connecticut) Montreal Tramways #4, and Expo Rail (Canada) Montreal Tramways #'s 1 & 3

Anyone reading this post is more than welcome to post replies, comments or other ideas specifically relating to Transit/Trolley/Rapid Transit/Light Rail/Interurban trains, here in the forums. The WBB guys would love to read your input as well. Please be aware that I myself do not work for WBB, nor am I affiliated with WBB in any way.

Sincerely: JP

Anyone wishing to reply to my post directly, may do so using the following E-Mail address: jpstrainyard@yahoo.com

Otherwise, just post your replies here in the forums.

Note 1: replies, comments, or other ideas should be related to transit, Transit/Trolley/Rapid Transit/Light Rail/Interurban trains only.

Note 2: replies, comments, or other ideas not related to the above in "Note 1" should be posted in a generic "Wish List for 2015"
 

JP of Acton MA, USA writes,

WBB should do Plymouth Switchers, and Porter 0-4-0s, just like the ones that K-Line by Lionel produced

-JP

JP of Acton MA, USA writes:

Lets not forget about

Peter Witt streetcars
Handcars
EZ Streets
motorized vehicles

Along with steam locos like

4-8-4s
6-8-6s
Hudsons
Berkshires

and a wide variety of passenger and freight cars

hope this helps

-JP

JP of Acton MA, USA writes:

It sounds like "snap-fit" tracks are those not by WBB, but by Atlas O. You would have to check out the Atlas O website to research the various components of "snap-fit" tracks.

Hope this helps.

-JP

JP of Acton MA, USA writes

If musicians used BF Snot on their fingers, wouldn't it get all over the instruments?

-JP

JP of Acton MA, USA writes,

Hi Joe,

Thank you for replying. For some reason, I thought that both the 5in and the 10in sections had the power connectors on the underside. The curves only have power connectors for the running rails, and not the center rail, a bit unusual if you ask me.

-JP

JP of Acton MA, USA writes:

EZ Street vehicles do run on AC, but for whatever reason a DC power supply was included in the starter sets. The vehicles or trolley would run forward only, regardless of whether the knob DC power supply was set to the forward or reverse setting. The K-Line vans featured an electronic e-unit for directon control. The trolleys featured bumpers to control direction.

Hope this helps

-JP

JP of Acton MA, USA writes,

I think it is understandable that the "Snot" be applied to only the rear-most drive wheels on a steam loco.

The website shows various video clips on applying the snot.
The loco must be turned upside down, connect the power to the rollers and the frame, slowly spin the wheels ("yard speed") and use either a very fine artists paint brush, or a Q-Tip to apply the snot.

Hope this helps

-JP

JP of Acton MA, USA writes:

Does anyone know which sections of EZ Street tracks feature both the running rails and center rail power connection tabs on the underside?

-JP

JP of Acton MA, USA writes,

Hi Waldo,

You might be able to look on E-Bay or elsewhere, for anyone selling the KLine / KLine by Lionel Superstreets vehicle or trolley starter sets, which include a motorized vehicle or trolley, enough track to complete a loop or oval, a wire harness, and an HO style DC power sullpy.

-JP

JP of Acton MA, USA writes:

I recently saw a post on the WBB forum, regarding the "liquid traction tires" called Bullfrog Snot, but it got removed, due to lack of replies. A fellow modeler actually used this product on a Lionel postwar steam loco (no magnet traction), and said that it improved pulling performance, immensely. Anyone else who may be interested in trying this product, can check out the website http://www.bullfrogsnot.com. All it is, is a silicone rubbery gel that you apply to a loco's wheels, to improve traction.

-JP

JP of Acton MA, USA writes:

Williams / WBB already does produce a set of 3 60' Amfleet cars in either Amtrak or Notheast Regional liveries.
Check the online catalog, thay are listed under Traditional Line in the WBB catagory.

It would be cool if WBB were to produce powered Metroliner MU sets.

Hope this helps

-JP

JP of Acton MA, USA writes,

Remove the shell from your loco, and look for something that looks like a small plastic adjustment knob with a slotted head for a flat-blade screw driver. That should be the volume control. Just be careful to turn it a liitle bit at a time, untill you reach the desired volume.

Another option is to design a paper cone to fit around the speaker. Cones usually work very well for sound amplification.

Hope this helps.

-JP

JP of Acton MA, USA writes:

Lee,
I may be able to answer some of your questions about EZ Streets
"what size vehicles will fit on EZ Streets" - the MTH and similar cars by ETS VW Bugs, and VW pickup trucks, Lionel and MTH trolleys, Lionel, MTH, and KLine handcars, KLine Plymouth diesels and Porter steam locos, Industrial Rail (Now Atlas O) trolleys (D26 curves only), ETS trolleys, (possibly) MTH 0-4-0 dockside locos, Lionel postwar "Romulan" and Vulcan" 0-4-0 diesel switchers - Larger steam and diesel locos will not work on the EZ Streets

"How do you provide power to the track sections" - removal of knock-out tabs reveal the connectors for the wire harness to connect to

"How does it mount to a sheet of plywood for a more permanent layout" - Removal of decorative man hole covers reveal holes for screws, replacement of man hole covers neatly conceal the screw heads.

"Does it mate with other track systems or not" - a ramped adapter track (if available) will allow for mating with Lionel tubular tracks or Lionel FasTracks, depending on which version of adapter you buy.

Hope this helps
Sincerely: JP

JP of Acton MA USA writes:

jneuhaus3 writes wants to know: My grandson just received a Thomas the Train Gordon the Express Engine. I want to build him a layout. What is the minimum track radius for this engine?

John (jneuhaus3)

Copied from the Williams by Bachmann O scale forum

-JP