Electric loco fans, that is..... Now that Bachmann has announced the GE E-33/EL-C/EF-4 Rectifiers in HO for Oct 2002 can the N version be far behind.......... ====== 82402 Spectrum Electric GE EL-C Virginian 82403 Spectrum Electric GE EL-C Norfolk & Western 82404 Spectrum Electric GE EF-4 New Haven 82405 Spectrum Electric GE E-33 Penn Central 82406 Spectrum Electric GE E-33 Conrail ========== Proto photo here: http://davesrailpix.railfan.net/hicks/jpg/hicks038.jpg ========== Here is the HO model product description from the Walthers website: ====== This DCC-ready locomotive features a diecast frame, operating pantograph, a five-pole skew-wound motor, dual flywheel and diecast gear box, 12-wheel drive, working headlight, RP-25 metal wheels, and E-Z Mate(R) Mark II Couplers. ====== It would be really neat if they could offer the same features on an N scale version............ e(VG)Njoy [ 22 May 2002, 13:59: Message edited by: dbn160 ]
I think a Milwaukee Bi-Polar and a New Haven E5 would be neat. I tried HO catenary in the early 60's, but the wires wouldn't hold together. I soldered a 26AWG phosphor-bronze contactor to 24AWG copper hangers and messenger, but the solder joints kept popping on the curves as I pulled tension. A 10' straight test segment worked very well. I used the catenary as the common electrical return, with each of the rails controlled from different throttles. Is scale-sized wire catenary in N-Scale physically possible? I would think the contactor would have to be at least 30AWG, if not more like 48AWG to not look oversize ... ? Has soldering technology advanced to where there could be enough joint strength to pull tension on 30AWG? [ 25 May 2002, 14:20: Message edited by: Hank Coolidge ]
Hank- In the early 1980's, NJ International imported an N scale Milw Bipolar (KMT?) that looked quite good. Some of them had problems pulling much of a load. BLW offered a "traction booster" kit that helped some. (Weight and new axles/wheels with traction tires.) The one I acquired was among those that were weak pullers. Even with the kit added. There are a couple of places on the 'Net to check or ask. One is a Yahoo Group "nscaletraction." Small. But there are some very knowledgeable people there. Also, try the NCAT web site for leads and info: www.teamsavage.com/ncat/ncat.htm BoxcabE50
Thanks BoxCabE50. However the ncat link appears to be down for some reason, or at least it wouldn't respond for me.
Here is the working link. (Same as above but it should be html instead of htm) http://www.teamsavage.com/ncat/ncat.html Russ
Ooops!!! Just as Russ has pointed out, I slipped up when I typed, and left off the final "L" in html........ BoxcabE50
GN had a ton of hard-pulling motors working in the Cascades.... Westinghouse motors, the big double-cab streamlined 300+ ton motors... Pulling a summer 'Builder consist up Stevens Pass.... *drools*
