More Questions Regarding German Models

[Genetk44]

Besides Reynaulds and DM-Toys, are there any other good sources for European prototype engines that will ship to the US.  I am hunting for a nice steam engine to pull the Kato Orient Express set.  I was advised that a Minitrix BR18 is an appropriate loco, so now the question is where to search....

Also some of these stores mention "digital interface in tender".  Does this translate to "Easy to put a 6-pin DCC decoder in the tender"?

There is Eurorail Hobbies in British Columbia. I've had very good service from them, they ship to the US and they have a currency converter button on their page so you can see what their price is in US or Canadian dollars.  Here is their website. http://www.eurorailhobbies.com/index.asp

[peteski]

I also dealt with http://www.tee-usa.com/index.html in New York few times, but the website and ordering/back-order system is not the most friendly.

[strummer]

More cool sites, thanks.

There sure is a lot out there I don't know about...

Mark in Oregon

[Doug G.]

To revive this most useful thread with related information, The 2510 was the Deutsch 2-8-2 with smoke. The almost identical 2512 did not have smoke, although all you had to do was drop in a smoke generator to add smoke. The contacts and switch were already there.

And, researching parts diagrams for parts I need to restore the one I just bought, I see the "switch" for the smoke generator is just a slide that moves one of the contacts (ground?) away from the generator or it moves the contact into the generator for operation.. It protrudes, very unobtrusively, on the left side of the loco at the level of the running board.

BTW, I discovered I need 9 parts to make my BR41 complete, although I can get it running with only a couple.

Doug

[strummer]

Interesting, as my example is a "2511"...








In any case, these are pretty good models... 

Mark in Oregon

[Doug G.]

Yes, the one I have is a 2511, too. There must be a minor difference they made along the way. The lettering is the same. I know Arnold made some changes in this style motor, not necessarily used in this locomotive. The earliest ones were silver with the black plastic end cap and there were no openings in them. Then they had the same thing only black. Then they put openings in the black cap. And finally, they put openings in the the cap and the metal body. I believe they are all the same basic motor but Arnold gave them different part numbers. They all have the same physical outline.

Whether using a different motor version was reason enough to change the model number, I don't know.

I see they technically used the wrong illustration on the box for a 2510/11. It is actually for the 2512 which has different smoke deflectors.

And, finally, I have just ordered another one, complete, so I can see one running/smoking before I get the other one restored (who knows how long it will take).

Doug

[strummer]

And, finally, I have just ordered another one, complete, so I can see one running/smoking before I get the other one restored (who knows how long it will take).
Doug

Cool beans. You'll have to share your thoughts on it when it arrives... 

Mark in Oregon

[Point353]

And, finally, I have just ordered another one, complete, so I can see one running/smoking before I get the other one restored (who knows how long it will take).

My experience with an Arnold steam loco with smoke generator was that it had to be run at a rather high speed/voltage to get a decent smoke output - see the following videos - plus an oil slick was deposited along the top of the loco.

[peteski]

If these are converted and used on DCC, the smoke generator will have plenty of voltage to go "full-steam".
But to me N scale smoke is just a silly and messy gimmick.  It looks nothiing liek a smoke from a 1:1 loco, and it'll create oily mess on the locomotive and on the surrounding scenery.

The only realistic smoke I have seen was on in a video of a German layout (don't recall if it was H0 or 0), where the smoke was generated with a puffing action, synchronized with the chuffing sound (and the drivers of course).  That looked really cool (but I'm sure it is still messy).

[Doug G.]

I have a Tyco HO 2-8-0 smoker and I know models have to be going at a pretty good clip to smoke and I know it's not terribly realistic and I know about the oil on the top of the loco (never had any form on anything else) but, I still think they are cool. The Tyco has a piston in it to make the smoke puff.

I also like the smell. BTW, I know Arnold always said to use ONLY Seuthe 101 smoke fluid in them but has anybody ever used any other kind? I have a bunch from that vendor on eBay.

Doug

[strummer]

I tend to agree with Peteski on the question of smoke in N scale. The physics just aren't there...yet. But you never know.

In O scale/gauge, we all remember those post-war Lionel smoke pellets (and the smell); those, as you recall, had simple mechanical lever-type pistons for syncing the "puffs". Similar systems in the Gilbert American Flyer steamers...

Now with the newer motor-driven smoke units, (the motors in those are probably larger than what drives our N scale locos) those things really put out the clouds of white stuff, regardless of train speed.  It's not something I'd personally want, but it is impressive to see.

Mark in Oregon

[peteski]

I found it - this is the most realistic depiction of smoke and steam in (an electric powered) steam loco model.  Unfortunately is is a bit larger than N scale (Gauge 1, or 1:32 scale).    Check out the cylinder cocks releasign steam, and also "steam" emanating from under the back of the cab - just like in real steam locos.

[Doug G.]

That's very good. Now, if they could just make a fluid/pill to emit black smoke, we could really make those Alco diesels come alive.



Doug

[strummer]

That's very good. Now, if they could just make a fluid/pill to emit black smoke, we could really make those Alco diesels come alive.



Doug

Yes...I can just imagine what wives would think about that  ... divorce lawyers would have a field day. 

And I agree Peteski: I saw that clip a year or two ago and thought the same thing. Impressive!

Mark in Oregon

[strummer]

Speaking of smoke: here's a shot taken from an O Gauge (mostly 3-rail) site:




I think you can tell by the vertical smoke plume that this engine does not need to be moving very quickly in order to produce that kind of volume...

Just FYI... 

Mark in Oregon