If you bought some Z-scale brass locomotives, please tell what there performances are! Make some comparisions, without getting too much negative on the bader material. - For example: Märklin F7 loco pulls ± 7 cars; Micro-Trains-Line F7 pulls ± 50 cars (without derailing!). - Are they worth their price for real use on a layout, or just beauties for some showcase?
Most of the brass units are built on Marklin hardware which means they will run about the same as the Marklin units they are based on. One execption is the F.R. yard switcher which is custom hardware. Ztrack reviewed this switcher in the most recent issue and found it to be superb. One thing about that switcher that puzzles me is why it never has any couplers on it in any of the photos I've seen?
About those Marklin versus Micro-Trains F7. Marklin uses a 3 pole motor in their F7s which has good top end speed but lousy torque. Micro-Trains uses a 5 pole motor which sacrifices some speed for much better torque, particularly at low RPM. Hence the greater pulling power. I saw an article once on replacing the armature in the Marklins with a 5 pole one, I think it was on the Z220 site. ------------------
You need to be specific. I don't think I can give a blank advice. FR never made a American brass loco. He did make a injection molded F40 that's very good. Huet makes a very good switcher, but his business practices are questionable. AZL brass are a hit or miss. I have couple that runs well, but I return couple of dogs.
And AZL made several brass Steam and Diesel locos. Most only pulled 10-20 or so cars. The later era brass E8's *do* pull quite well but sorta in the 20-30 cars (metal wheel freight or passengers). MTL's plastic wheels with limit you about 30% or so due to friction. In other words, MTL metal wheel conversions will give you about 30% or more train. Being that there are NO (0) spare parts, most do not run them, except for maybe an important event.
Moo I think you just set a record. I've never seen 17 years between posts. I have seen someone get in an argument with a dead guy, but never 17 years between posts.
Interesting to see that the original question is still (somewhat) relevant after 17 years, although there seemed to be some fixation or implied connection between a brass loco and pulling power. As I remember years ago (matching the date of the question ) brass locos in HO scale were usually nice and heavy and had the opportunity to turn that into pulling power. In Z, there are a lot of places to get excessive friction that can make a huge difference. Also, boy the number of people commenting on the front truck of a challenger not moving, clearly that friction affects pulling power. Greg
Somehow, I went to the very first post on this forum. The next oldest post is in 2002. What I would like to know is the FR switcher. I never seen or heard one existed.
Very true Greg. Perfect example is the first release of the SD70M. They could barely run 20smph. The fix is to remove two bearings to lessen the friction. Doug, shhhh
