Large Scale Central

The nightmare is over

Electronics Power and Sound
#1

Ok, mafia members, I can sleep better at nights instead of worryin’ about my new outdoor layout.
There will be no, nada, none:

Wire
Clamps
Insulators
Power supplies
Trackside remotes
Conduit
Track cleaning devices
Track cleanin’ enjin’
Trouble shooting shorts and dead spots.
And any other crap related to track power!!! :slight_smile: :slight_smile:
All the money I’ve been saving up for those above items will now be used on two or three RC installs.

After 15 years of watchin’ my buddies do all of the above…I’ve had it with track power.

All I gotta do is track maintenance and keep the right of way free of debris.

I will prolly use both types of RC at first: Air-wire and RCS. Whichever works the best for me wins out for future installations. We have a club member who has both and he and I will get to do the field testing.
As for open house/hosting meetings, I’m sure over a period of time some members beside the two or three we have now will have at least one loco converted.
They will understand after they see me sitting in the shade. drinkin a mint julep as they cuss and trouble shoot their layouts. :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

JB–Born again RC/Batt on June 1st, 2007

#2

Welcome to the converted, John.

My new layout isn’t going to have any of that stuff, either.

#3

Now that was a good decision!

started that way from day one, glad I did…move a couple of limbs and run-on!

cale

#4

My current layout is T R A C K – P O W E R…!! Of course, my current layout is also indoors…:confused: …which cuts down on a lot of those problems too. Besides, I’ve got too many locomotives…I can’t afford to RC them all. :frowning:

#5
Warren Mumpower said:
My current layout is T R A C K -- P O W E R...!! Of course, my current layout is also indoors...:/ ...which cuts down on a lot of those problems too. Besides, I've got too many locomotives....I can't afford to RC them all. :(
That is why a power car is such a neat idea!
#6

Power cars are fine for those that only run in circles…mainline modeling. But to me, a switching locomotive, or local freight that always has the same car in the same place looks kind of dumb. Most likely I’ll be one of those that will eventually have both battery and track power locomotives.

#7

The KVRwy has battery powered - r/c equipped engines with a power jack for recharging the batteries. Spare power can be coupled on from a battery car to continue and complete the run or to get the engine back to the engine house. Setups like this are obtainable from NWRCS/Dave Goodson. I’m sure he can help you out if you want to extend running time or are just converting to battery power.

#8

Warren, Steve,
If space permits inside them or their tenders, all lokies will have a smaller on-board battery to help them get around by themselves.
Then for long time running, all lokies will be able to accept a power car. These will be box, refer, baggage, gondolas, etc. It won’t be the same car!
Everything will be modular. The packs can be transferred from one car to another. I can have six or seven different power cars equipped with batteries if I want. Even a tank or flat car can have a wire lead running under it, so the battery car is a few cars back. You have to think “out side the box” :slight_smile: :slight_smile:
I have already conversed with an expert installer on one of the brands I am considering about this.
He said it is very do-able and actually the best way to go.
I’m getting pumped!!!:slight_smile: :slight_smile:

Now I am re-designing the layout a little to see if I can incorporate a reverse loop or Wye to turn the train. No more wiring problems to worry about.

Warren,
My indoor layout will always be track powered. Like yours, I have no problems with that one.
You gotta have somewhere to test out new pre-converted lokies! :slight_smile: :slight_smile:
And I prolly won’t convert my e-loks, except maybe to catenary.

jb

#9
Warren Mumpower said:
Power cars are fine for those that only run in circles...mainline modeling. But to me, a switching locomotive, or local freight that always has the same car in the same place looks kind of dumb. Most likely I'll be one of those that will eventually have both battery and track power locomotives.
Warren,

You have hit the nail squarely on the head.

I run indoors, track power (code 215 Llagas creek nickel-silver) and have too many locos to even think about DCC.

Two of my locos are now equipped with self contained RCS battery power. The locos are equipped with operating couplers with lift bars. The incredible slow speed operation and accuracy of the controls make these two locos the kind of switchers most track power modelers only dream about.

Not to mention, the expanded operational capability & complexity of having a track powered RC controlled loco and two independently controlled Bat/RC switchers roaming about.

BAT/RC control in combination with track power adds a whole new layer of operational enjoyment.

#10

You won’t look back!