Do you Caboose? If you do, why? If you don't, why not? I still run them because I like them and on an N-trak Layout, If you don't have a FRED, you don't readily know if your train has come appart. This can lead to a MAJOR derailment and pile-up. Although the crowd may find this "cool" to see, it can lead to dammage to the Rolling Stock and Motive Power. Besides, the Atlas extended vision is one of the coolest Cabeese around. ------------------ BNSF RAILFAN-TO-THE-MAX! Brent Tidaback, Member #234 and a N-Scaler to boot!
I'm with you on the caboose(s) Brent! But I only run them on my AW trains, they just would not look right on BNSF stack trains Must get some freds for those! ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
I run a caboose on all trains as then it is easy for me to tell if I have dropped a car anyplace. No caboose .... well somewhere is a missing car.
Nope, I don't run a caboose, cause it's not prototypical anymore (stack trains as mentioned above). However, I do in HO scale cause they used them all the time in the '50s. ------------------ Corey Lynch Pres - Rensselaer Model RR Society NEB&W RR http://www.rpi.edu/~lynchc/Railfanning/railfanning.htm - My Site http://www.union.rpi.edu/railroad/ - NEB&W
I do and don't, depending on the train. On my "unit" coal train, I have a working FRED I picked up, which is both prototypical for more modern times and just plain looks cool flashing on down the rails. I also have a pair of cabooses/cabeese/whatever for merchandise trains, intermodals or whatever else. It might not exactly be "right," but then again neither is my MoPac SD60M, so sue me! ------------------ Jenks - the REAL Big Blue
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Maxwell Plant: If you don't have a FRED, you don't readily know if your train has come appart<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Maybe this deserves a post in the DCC forum, but I was thinking it'd be cool to have a decoder-compatible device in the last car of a train, be it a FRED equipped car or a caboose. The point is that the device would have the same address as the locomotive and have a motion sensor. If the device's speed did not match the speed of the loco (indicating a seperation) then it could either signal the operator or provide some other feedback to signal the break. Of course there would need to be a few second delay to accomidate coupler slack on start-ups. Just thinking/wishing... Ed Harrison ------------------ Ed's Mental Cab Ride
For me it would depend on what it is and when it ran. I prefer to have a caboose on back and modelling up to 95 in two periods - '75-'85 and '85-'95 - allows me to run them on on anything before '85 and locals post '85(though maybe stretching the truth a little after the early 90's ). Soo (CP) still runs the Hastings Patrol with a hack! I agree with Eagle. Do as you wish. Ed - interesting idea. Gary.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gats: Soo (CP) still runs the Hastings Patrol with a hack!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Here in Sunny, 100 degree Southern California , BNSF still has a caboose for the Corona/Porphry Local. Up until last month it was on the train, but during the last few weeks, it's stayed at the siding where they keep the locos overnight. I'm planning on keeping a rundown, extended vision caboose on a siding on my N-Scale version of the scene. Ed Harrison ------------------ Ed's Mental Cab Ride
Use caboose on most of my trains due to 1950 vintage. PRR had many types and even one it ran on a passenger train to hold a special crew. Kitbashed a transfer caboose and a MOW caboose, both look good and different on the layout. Installed running marker lights on one caboose with power from battery and small under frame slide switch. The running lights are dual colored, green/red facing front/back. Idea was published in a train mag some years ago. The lights look as neat as FRED's. Have several FRED's I use for stack trains. ...Eddie ------------------ Eddie Delozier PRR N-scale www.deloziers.com eddelozier@yahoo.com
Everytime I decide to get a FRED, I end up buying another Caboose! I don't know why, it's just what happens. Sometime soon I'll get some FREDS, I'll need them for the Roadrailers behind my new KATO Amtrak equipment! ------------------ BNSF RAILFAN-TO-THE-MAX! Brent Tidaback, Member #234 and a N-Scaler to boot!
I usually run with a caboose but would like to know where I can get a FRED from? ------------------ Paul Cassar-# Member number 50 ICQ 61198217 http://users.bigpond.net.au/railroad2000 [This message has been edited by Colonel (edited 20 September 2000).]
I dont use cabooses on my stack trains but i do on my merchendice or local trains. Up here in WA most of the locals I have seen on the BN/BNSF all have cabooses. Kevin
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ten87: Maybe this deserves a post in the DCC forum, but I was thinking it'd be cool to have a decoder-compatible device in the last car of a train, be it a FRED equipped car or a caboose. The point is that the device would have the same address as the locomotive and have a motion sensor. If the device's speed did not match the speed of the loco (indicating a seperation) then it could either signal the operator or provide some other feedback to signal the break. Of course there would need to be a few second delay to accomidate coupler slack on start-ups. Just thinking/wishing... Ed Harrison <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Ed, the problem with this is that DCC does not register the speed of the locomotive, just the power draw. You hear things like 128 speed step, etc., well this refers to the voltage steps that the motor is drawing. So unfortunately this system woulnd't work. However, if you signalled your layout, and had occupancy detectors in your track, the block wouldn't re-open if the last car (also with a sensor) doesn't cross into the next block. Just another way to do it. ------------------ Corey Lynch Pres - Rensselaer Model RR Society NEB&W RR http://www.rpi.edu/~lynchc/Railfanning/railfanning.htm - My Site http://www.union.rpi.edu/railroad/ - NEB&W
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Harron: Ed, the problem with this is that DCC does not register the speed of the locomotive, just the power draw<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Well, in the case of the train, doesn't power draw = movement? Couldn't a moving wheel be sensed and compared with the signal to the address? The first generation of automobile cruise controls were a magnet on the drive shaft that tripped a relay switch on the frame of the car. Each revolution of the shaft caused an electronic signal to a processor. A magnet on the train truck would cause too many related problems, but, how about painting half the diameter of an axle with reflective material and placing an IR emiter and detector next to the truck. Rolling the car would cause the IR signal to pulse, which could be compared to the signal to the decoder for movement. Since it uses an optical device, there would be no friction, and a decoder would easily fit inside a caboose or other car. Ed Harrison ------------------ Ed's Mental Cab Ride
You could always get a semi-scale sized FRED for the end of the train! Dane N. ------------------ BCRailKing@Canada.com Teen Association of Model Railroaders- for information, contact Dane N. at Dane_Nicholson@tamr.org http://www.tamr.org
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BC Rail King: You could always get a semi-scale sized FRED for the end of the train!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Too easy! Ed Harrison ------------------ Ed's Mental Cab Ride
best thing to do with a caboose is kick it in the clear, ride a brake and hang the "bug light" fred. just kidding i run em on my mopac trains but when i do the dreaded ns thing it is all freddies. ------------------ fly with route of the eagles.rock n roll all night and railroad everyday!
I was born 40 years late. In my world, every train has a caboose! Charlie ------------------ Ship It On The FRISCO! | IAMOKA.com
Couple more problems Ed. What if you stop the train to make a switching move? When you uncouple the end car/caboose, it stops and the engine is moving, effectively shutting down the system as you suggested. And about the power vs speed. I have locos that start on a speed step of 2 on a 128 scale. This is done by adjusting starting voltage. If loco A has a starting voltage of 10 and loco B has a starting voltage of 6 but they both move roughly the same speed at step 2 (due to different motor types, etc.), then how do you measure this? That is what I mean by speed steps are an increase in voltage. Will you have to program the end car each time a new loco couples on? (More buttons to push?? ) I think the idea is a very good one, but there are a lot of considerations that have to be looked at before it can be accomplished. (The IR thing is good, but there is no way to measure the speed of the loco based on the voltage it is drawing, it all depends on the motor). ------------------ Corey Lynch Pres - Rensselaer Model RR Society NEB&W RR http://www.rpi.edu/~lynchc/Railfanning/railfanning.htm - My Site http://www.union.rpi.edu/railroad/ - NEB&W
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Harron: What if you stop the train to make a switching move? When you uncouple the end car/caboose, it stops and the engine is moving, effectively shutting down the system as you suggested.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I agree that the switching activities will defeat the purpose. My thinking is based upon the huge modular layouts at GATS and other meets. It is fun, albeit a little embarrasing, when people are yelling across a dozen modules "Stop! Stop! STOP!" at a seperation. Ed Harrison ------------------ Ed's Mental Cab Ride
