DONNEYBROOK!!!!!! Wow!!! I really love these threads that develope into real donneybrooks! You really get a good overview of things and learn things in the process. There are so many sources for 9 3/4' radius track that I can't see it disapperaing regardless of the "elite" choice.:tb-biggrin: I mean I can't see Kato or Toix stopping the manufacture of the very tight radii that they produce as their prime market is probably Japan where tight radii are requried for the small ares modellers there seem to have to work with. I'm working on a micro where the smallest radius is 5 1/2". I am surprised that most locos and 40 ft cars with truck mounted couplers take it with ease.:tb-rolleyes: Even the body mounted couplered British outline that I have take it with ease. My appreciation and love of the truck mounted couplerscomes from my asociation with O 3 rail. I've been in HO with body mounts on a switching layout and never had any problems. I think (IMHO) that the lack of weight in N rolling stock may cause a lot of the back up problems with truck mounted couplers. I've never had any problems. I remember back in the early days of N if you didn't use Peco switches you were in for a bad time and even then you had problems. Those days are gone mostly now.:mbiggrin: Anyway, its been a real interesting thread and very informative.
Atlas Still makes 15" radius snap track in HO. So I don't think it will ever go away. That of course doesn't mean it should be considered for regular use just as 9 3/4 should be avoided when possible too.
Thanks for the welcome. They are traction layouts. One is 1x2 foot, the other is 2x4. Most of the equipment I run on the layouts are Chicago Surface Line streetcars made from Bachmann Brills and PCCs. I have gotten my Athearn FP45 around the 5.5 in curves while I was testing my MRC 2K. It couldn't pull anything though. Being a fan of the C&NW I dislike the evil UP so I will never buy any of those Freaks they had built. For you all of you rivet counters out there your curves are still to tight. So don't bash our tight curves your not doing it right either. And I bet none of you run a proper 39 foot rail.
Ditto! Here's an other analogy: All of you here use computers, right? (Otherwise you wouldn't even be here, duh!) How many times have you seen a software product that read, "For Windows XP and later" or "For Mac OSX and later?" What about people who use Windows 98? What about people who use OS 9? What about those with only 4 gigabytes of RAM? What about those with an older processor? Some of them might whine, but eventually they shut up, upgrade and enjoy life just like everyone else. That's just a fact of life. Deal with it, people!
I just bet you where one of the people responsible for Windoze Vista...because you figured it was time for Windoze XP to "evolve". And we all know what kind of joke Vista turned out to be. Or are you one of them "I am a PC...and Windoze 7 was my idea!" And we all know "7" is NOT a lucky number. :tb-tongue::tb-tongue: *BTW... I am running a 2 gig processor...2 gig of ram...on an original 2001 copy of XP. EVERYTHING on here still works great. Here is one for ya.... "If it ain't broke...don't fix it!" :tb-tongue: .
Anyone that would use Windows XP over windows 7 is crazy. Vista...Well, it was better than WindowsME was. I use Vista at home and love it, but it sure took a while to get there, but XP, XP is dead. Don't be a luddite, move to Win7. I've been using it at work for 7 months and you can take it from my cold dead hands.
LMAO....too funny. THE Wife has '7' on her new laptop. She hates it...I hate it. Millions of Windoze users hate it. It's burdensome at best. I suppose we should get back on TRAINS...as computers and trains are apples and oranges. Just an FYI...I dont fear change. I just think some changes arent worth the trouble and/or aggravation... BTW..XP is NOT dead...thats a fallacy. JMO...YMMV .
Yes, let's stay on track here. (pun intended) George, I remember you said you actually convert TO body mount couplers, so dont you think that this change will actually save you trouble and aggravation by allowing you to spend time modeling elsewhere instead of doing nothing but coupler conversions? I'm frankly tired of the "curves" argument. Bottom line, if someone wants X radius curve, they are completely allowed to build X radius curve. However, by saying that I can not have body mount couplers because John Doe wants to run Autoracks on impossibly tight radius curves is completely out of line. I built my own layout to accommodate my own needs, and I will not press those needs on to others. Similarly, I would not appreciate others pressing their needs on me. I did my homework and chose a radius to accommodate body mounted couplers, so when it comes down to it, I'll choose body mount over truck mount any day of the week. Seriously, even on Thursdays!
Hey Mark...taking a break from the "Purple Foam"...lol. Like I said before. I buy stuff with body mounts. BUT...I have no problem body mounting couplers if need be. I think there is still a need for truck mounted couplers. Tight radii...I dont have any. Some modelers do some dont. To each their own. I suppose I really dont have a dog in this fight. But if someone wants to stress their point that 9 3/4 radii and truck mounted couplers should be outlawed...hoping that the debate will end there....sorry...not gonna happen :tb-wink::tb-cool: .
I have used W7 on several computers, including a business application. Bleh. I'm sticking with XP for now. If MS wants me to run W7, they can give me a full version copy, for free. Back to trains now. Boxcab E50
All you XP people, were you this ornery with NT or Win2k? eh, it's off topic, I'll take it to the cattle car.
Absolutely, although I do enjoy the satisfaction of getting the job done. Closer coupling and fewer derailments are the bonus. For me the test is backing up with a lot of cars on board. Truck mounts are a problem but body mounts have little to none. And when there is a problem it is generally a sign your trackwork is not up to scratch. With truck mounted couplers I am never sure what the problem is as it is so inconsistent..........George.:tb-rolleyes:
My computer doesn't recognize track designs with tight radius curves...outlawing 9 3/4" radius curves. Switch is the only word allowed, when it comes to describing a "Turnout" and I had to by pass my security just to write it in quotes. Body mounted couplers is the only option it will recognize for installing couplers. How about that?tongue: Actually I like XP Professional, but that's for another thread and another time.
KEWL !!!! :tb-cool::tb-biggrin: See...your are entitled to run your layout the way you want...as anyone else is entilted to run theirs their way. Its what makes it a great hobby. When one group of people start to dictate how everyone has to do things...and everyone follows...that makes everyone 'sheeple'. And I dont Baaaaaa...grow wool...or graze in pastures...LOL :tb-wink:. .
I can't believe it we agree on something, we actually agree on something. How about that. As Jim157 says in his signature, "It's your railroad, you make the rules, first and foremost have fun". From the Grumpy Old Men, go have some fun.wink:
Ultimately though, we're not discussing how people enjoying the hobby should enjoy it, but rather we're discussing what manufacturers should use as their default product. It is a given that manufacturers CANNOT provide all things to all people. The question is, is 2010 the time to shift from truck mounted couplers to body mounted couplers being the norm. It seems that manufacturers thing it is that time. And of course, the people who are moving from the normal to the special category are fighting it, but such is life. Things change and sometimes people are no longer hip and with it. Soon truck mounted couplers is going to be like listening to the oldies station. Out of touch, for old fogies.
I'd love to see body mounts on everything, but until then I will make my own modifications. It's part of the hobby.
Not a NMRA member but still a Ninja Type. Ditto. I don't think there is anything to worry about. More then likely MTL will continue to make truck mounted couplers. It's been there mainstay and I don't think they will be ready to give it up anytime soon. In the meantime we Ninja types will take the lead to demand better quality and prototypical equipment. Who said I belonged to NMRA? Grin!
