Large Scale Central

LGB 2-4-0 (23232) speed VS. Aristo 3-axle drive brick

General Discussion
#1

I posted this over at the Aristo forum but (surprise) got no response that helped out.

The modern 2-4-0 that LGB produced just before the great meltdown, which looked like a switcher version with the boiler specs of their mikado, has “American” written in it genes. I intend to add a powered tender to augment its pulling power. Between my grades and the trains I’d like to pull with it, I know the little x4x drive just won’t suffice. I’m going to go the route of using diesel bricks under the tender, either the Aristo or USA centercab trucks, or my route (which I prefer) is to put a single Aristo 3-axle truck under it.

Can anyone who has both this engine and an Aristo SD-45, DASH-9, E-8, or Class-66, could you please tell me how they compare re: speeds? I’d like to go this route without special circuitry (this engine would be heavily loaded down, so minor differences are okay).

If you have other Aristo Engines, could you also consider comparing the GP-40 and both the new and old RS3/FA-1/RDC bricks? Worst case scenario, I’ll put a two axle brick under the tender with an idler axle to make it look like 3.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

-J.D.

#2

Just put it together, and you can add diodes to slow the faster one down, not perfect, but will help.

There’s a simple circuit using a full wave bridge and the addition of a string of diodes, which you can breadboard up and add or subtract diodes until you get the speeds close.

I’d pick the brick that looks and runs best, then tune the speed.

Regards, Greg