44 tonners

[Nato]

  Recived my two from BLW today, yellow undec,and red with yellow end stripes. They are the nicest N gauge critters I have seen,and not quite as small as the old Rapido German KOLF locomotive. The handrails are absolutely scale size in my book, and usuing the three foot viewing rule I can live with the slightly wide hoods.I'am amazed that they were able to get the motor and an onboard decoder in the loco,yes I know decoder technology has resulted in smaller boards,still very impressive. There is a little instruction sheet that mentions the possibility of the loco stopping do to motor overheat and mentioning waiting for things to cool back down and it will restart. I will test drive mine tomorrow on DC don't use DCC and see how the run both singly and paired. I will also hook cars on and see how many cars one will pull up my branchline grade. Headlight lenses and light hood with number boards are a seperate item to install on the undecorated locos.Nate Goodman (Nato).

[up1950s]

Wow , the yellows are already out !

[Mark5]

If this doesn't work just give it time:

/>The trucks to that funky shift when changing direction like some older models. But overall it runs good. I don't think it ran any better or worse with the circuit board. I don't do DCC so I can't comment on that.

Much better vid! ;D Is it the vid or is the loco actually stuttering at points?

[Chris333]

Stupid Youtube. It doesn't show when I play the original on my computer.

[Mark5]

Thanks. Seems to run better than I thought it would. Might pick one up for $25 in a year or two.

[SirTainly]

Anyone know what decoders are in these puppies? The guys on the JMRI list are trying to find out.

[ñiao]

Nate, the KÖF is meanwhile also available from MiniTrix ... with open cab!

http://www.fleischmann.com/products/Trix/12439.aspx


There was some jumping in the video when the engine started up. Does this also happen when the shell is on?

[Chris333]

A slight jump yes. I was holding a lamp in one hand and turning the power pack dial with the other all while filming. It is possible to get a little bit better. It does seam like a smooth start to me, I'm happy. This thing is like a MT 33' hopper car, but powered!

[ñiao]

Thanks, Chris.

That reminded me on my Märklin engines from lore. Whenever you changed direction these things nearly jumped out of the track. The relays for the direction change must have been too oversized.

[Bob Bufkin]

So here I was getting ready to test my new unit and wouldn't you know, Mr. Butterfingers (meaning me) drops it unto a table underneath the layout and it bounces unto the floor.  One of the trucks flies off who knows where.  After 15 minutes checking around the floor I find the truck fit it back unto the unit and damn if it didn't run perfectly.  Pulled 7 assorted freight cars and 1 old Atlas heavyweight will respectful slow speed.  Gotta admit after the fall it took, it's a tough little unit.

[wm3798]

Bob, that's the trick with Bachmann engines..  They always work better after dropping to the floor (or being flung against a wall... which is the more typical approach... ;D)

Lee

[Chris333]

The trucks do pop off easy. Don't try to pull the frame out by pulling them.

[3rdrail]

Never heard of  "00", but do recall "0X", better known as "the Ox" on the Shaker Heights Rapid Transit. It was a former interurban freight motor used to pull its work train. Unless it was steam, the first numeral on New Haven power was "0", virtually until steam was gone.

Denver had two narrow gauge trolley systems. The 3' gauge one's cars were decimals, like ".003". The 42" gauge main system used regular numbers.

[up1950s]

Navy planes use the last 3 digits of their serial number so an " all balls " is possible . The same might happen if that type of numbering system was used by a railroad .

This is one of many I actually painted the nose number and the " Barbers Point " on the tail  . You can see the serial number and nose number match .
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_aKjYmQBQOVM/SJyNDbkfNuI/AAAAAAAABVU/0rwQgvizeCE/0325%2520S2%2520BPNAS%25207-26-70%2520small.jpg

[Bob Bufkin]

The New Haven used 0 as a first number on some of their units.  Don't remember is it was the electrics or diesel or both they used it on.