I have a aristo lil critter I just picked up. It runs OK and I’m told that is how they do run. I guess I got spoiled by the smooth, quite HO drives previously. I’m new to G and plan to stay. I would therefore like to have engines that run really well. I got the critter for a great price and am willing to put some cash into it. How do USA Trains motor blocks run compared to the aristo critter? If anyone can help, it is greatly appreciated. I may remotor it but if I can just put in a whole new drive, that is better.
They’re made in the same factory from what I understand…
The two axle AC motor blocks with ball bearing axles and one end set up for a three point suspension, is the smoothest running power truck made.
To some extent, all “G” motor blocks are noisy. It’s something that old HO’s who are used to the finer brands find a little disturbing.
Even LGB, which was the quietest, had a few that were a little louder.
After a while, you just keep em lubed and get used to it.
Or turn up the sound.
AC or USA motor and gear blocks, even if made in the same factory, are different as night and day.
I guess this looks like an area I will have to play with then. One of the reasons I didn’t stay with O scale, after trying it for a short time, was the way the engines ran. The proprietary control systems helped but often had other issues. If you got rid of the high tech electronics, the engines ran poorly. The good news with G is that there is so much room under the hood, I’m sure I can come up with something that will run the way I want. I won’t be becoming an engine junkie, so this will help, as I won’t be spending all my time upgrading drives.
Hi Phil -
As a recent convert to battery power, I think you will find that much of the operational problems with engines in this scale is power pick-up. Battery powered engines don’t stutter or struggle to get power, they just go. My Aristo RS-3’s are smooth as silk on battery, but even on clean track are jerky. The only engines that seem to run smooth for me on track power are those with pick-up skates.
BTW, just so my track-powered friends don’t think I’ve abandoned them, my track still is wired and has block switches. I don’t know if it still works because it’s been over a year since I’ve run a track powered engine outdoors 
Jon Radder said:
Hi Phil - As a recent convert to battery power… it’s been over a year since I’ve run a track powered engine outdoors
(http://www.emofaces.com/en/buddy-icons/d/darth-vader-buddy-icon.gif)
The Dark Side embraces you…
Ah, just think about how noisy the full size ones are and think of it as “scale sound”.
are you sold on desile locos or will you run steam ones as well? If you will run steam look at the berry drives in a Bmann Annie. I have five of them and they run smoth and quit.
I have found that my USA and AC desiles sound about the same but I run outside only so I dont realy notice it all that much
Jon Radder said:
Hi Phil -As a recent convert to battery power, I think you will find that much of the operational problems with engines in this scale is power pick-up. Battery powered engines don’t stutter or struggle to get power, they just go. My Aristo RS-3’s are smooth as silk on battery, but even on clean track are jerky. The only engines that seem to run smooth for me on track power are those with pick-up skates.
BTW, just so my track-powered friends don’t think I’ve abandoned them, my track still is wired and has block switches. I don’t know if it still works because it’s been over a year since I’ve run a track powered engine outdoors
I am actually a little suspect of the pick-up system on the critter. I have nothing else to compare it to. I have noticed a little hesitation and plan to look into it further.
Geoff George said:
are you sold on desile locos or will you run steam ones as well? If you will run steam look at the berry drives in a Bmann Annie. I have five of them and they run smoth and quit.I have found that my USA and AC desiles sound about the same but I run outside only so I dont realy notice it all that much
Primarily will be diesel. I do plan to have some kind of an excursion train that will be steam but that is down the road. I’ll have to look at the berry drives. Might be able to learn something from them. I take it they are for steam only?
Even though they aren’t prototype I’m happy with the Eggliners. My main concern is how long they will last. The motor blocks are sealed and with our desert heat the grease has probably melted. Oh well, who needs gears anyway!
Eggliner’s have the same block as the RS-3 and U-boat.
Not sealed, very serviceable.
At least the last one I looked at did.
Mebbe the newer ones are different.
wait until you strip a gear…then you’ll find that you can buy the gear from Aristo but you have to buy the gear, axle and wheels from USA!
If a loco gets loud I just turn my ear trumpet off.
tac
www.ovgrs.org
Supporter of the Cape Meares Lighthouse Restoration Fund
Andre has a very good point about the gears.
As far as ear trumpets go then when anything gets loud I switch mine off. lol
Thought I would give a little update. I have actualy made some progress, although I’m not sure exactly why what I did helped. One thing I noticed was there was a hesitation, as well as considerable side to side bounce, as I ran through switches. I’m using LGB 1600’s. It appeared that the wheel gauge was a little narrow. They did not hang up but just seemed to have too much play with the rails. I took the wheels off on one side and put a washer on the axle. It’s a conical axle end so the washer only allowed my to put the wheel on so far. Did this to both wheels on one side. The motor block now runs through the switch much better and all jerkiness I had been seeing on the rest of the track seems to be gone. Additionally, the block now seems quieter. I’m going to try doing the same thing to the other side tonight. I’ll let you know how it goes. I am not 100% sure why this helped but have an theory.
From the 1000+ hours of collective running time at the Living Desert gigantic outdoor layout, the USA FOUR-WHEEL TRUCK locos are the strongest and most trouble free. This also affirms Tony’s observation about Aristo-Craft’s locos (see above). The USA products have lasted the longest and most trouble free as to the diesels. The USA (two-years old) big 1:29 Hudson runs great — however, it requires care in setting it up because of the small detail parts. Because of this detail feature and fragility of small detail parts, it has its own storage track to eliminate lifting. All other locos are moved around and lifted manually. As to LGB – the older diesel models – they continue to perform hours on end (that’s a run time of 10 hours min.) along with the USA four-wheel truck models. However, the gear problems are resolved with direct contact with USA’s parts supply.
IF you have not seen the layout --gulp! – make a visit to Palm Desert over the Thanksgiving weekend and up through New Years for the special light show throughout the animal park. The train area also has its lighting feature display. Please not the size of the layout will dwarf anything you have seen elsewhere – except for some in Europe.
Selah,
Wendell