Milwaukee Deer Lodge electric switcher build

[nkalanaga]

When you said "Deer Lodge Switcher" I was thinking one of the big center-cab ES-series.  And, yes, you really need to model the extension cord.

[danoh]

Oh..... My... !!!

[Cajonpassfan]

These are ready made from Iowa Scaled Engineering called Run-N-Smooth.
It’s a simple two wire connection to the decoder. The blue + common and add a - from the decoder to the other pad on the powerkeeper.

The dimensions are .410” x .365” x .192” thick.

They do just what they say…smooth out the engine. They aren’t a crutch for poor running locomotives or unclean track, however they do make a noticeable difference in small switchers especially with sound. I use ESU decoders exclusively and they play very well together. I have no experience with other makes of decoders though.
This little critter wouldn’t begin to run well without this powerkeeper or on straight DC. What Max, Ron and Chris do with their marvelously intricate gear reductions, I’m forcing motor control electronically through the decoder and powerkeeper.

Thanks for the info, Jim, I'll try one.
Otto

[Jim Starbuck]

Here’s a very short video of the engine running. It’s an early test and more weight will be added and should help smooth it out a bit.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I feel like I say this often about your wizardy, but GTFO with this, lol.

Simply amazing.

[keeper]

That's a real belter!

[Mark5]

Here’s a very short video of the engine running. It’s an early test and more weight will be added and should help smooth it out a bit.

Justin Sane! 

How are the starts & stops? (not expecting much due to the micro micro size  ).

[Jim Starbuck]

Justin Sane! 

How are the starts & stops? (not expecting much due to the micro micro size  ).

I’ve got some acceleration and deceleration programmed in so it doesn’t just bolt off at the start. Those little motors are plenty quirky. As a vibrator motor they’re meant to have two speeds…off or 40,000 rpm.
Having them paralleled helps.
I’m going to start detailing and painting the shell because some of the tungsten powder in the cab roof will extend slightly below the window line. Windows will be clear .005” styrene painted a graphite color on the inside so they need to be in before adding the weight. Hopefully it will settle out a bit.

[garethashenden]

I know it doesn't have couplers yet, but have you tried pushing a string of cars?

[Jim Starbuck]

I know it doesn't have couplers yet, but have you tried pushing a string of cars?

Not a string of cars but it did push a 33’ hopper around the loop.
That was actually more than I expected.

[skytop35]

I know it doesn't have couplers yet, but have you tried pushing a string of cars?

Actually it wasn't used to switch cars. Because there was no catenary into the roundhouse, it was used to switch the electric mainline engines in and out of there for service.

[sd45elect2000]

Actually it wasn't used to switch cars. Because there was no catenary into the roundhouse, it was used to switch the electric mainline engines in and out of there for service.

Correct, it ran from the turntable into the roundhouse.  It’s only power source was the “stinger” extension cord. I don’t think it ran on 3000 volt trolley potential I think that would be way too dangerous but I don’t know for sure.

Randy

[John]

These are ready made from Iowa Scaled Engineering called Run-N-Smooth.
It’s a simple two wire connection to the decoder. The blue + common and add a - from the decoder to the other pad on the powerkeeper.

The dimensions are .410” x .365” x .192” thick.

(Attachment Link)

They do just what they say…smooth out the engine. They aren’t a crutch for poor running locomotives or unclean track, however they do make a noticeable difference in small switchers especially with sound. I use ESU decoders exclusively and they play very well together. I have no experience with other makes of decoders though.
This little critter wouldn’t begin to run well without this powerkeeper or on straight DC. What Max, Ron and Chris do with their marvelously intricate gear reductions, I’m forcing motor control electronically through the decoder and powerkeeper.

I've used one of these -- I could see the improvement

[garethashenden]

Actually it wasn't used to switch cars. Because there was no catenary into the roundhouse, it was used to switch the electric mainline engines in and out of there for service.

Oh I know what the prototype was used for. I was just curious about the model's abilities.

[nkalanaga]

I have read, but can't swear, that this ran on 440V DC.  It certainly didn't use 3000V+ trolley voltage.