Model Railroading > Coach Yard Powered Truck?

I asked about a manufacturer awhile back as was wondering what was available. And someone pointed me in the right direction.

I'm thinking ahead as have other projects I'm working on, but has anyone used this product?

 (My plastic passenger cars utilize six-wheel trucks.) At one time I was considering powering both trucks on my RPO cars but at 130 each I may have to settle for one each car. I'm wondering how much pulling power one of these gadgets has. My layout has broad curves but 2% grades, and my steam-powered six to eight car Wabash passenger trains will have brass Wabash 4-6-2s for power. (One is Nickel Plate Products and the other a Westside.)

I suppose I could go on the cheap and modify a powered, six-axle diesel loco frame with passenger truck sideframes but the axle spacing might not match.

Yes, DCC will help to speed match the loco and powered passenger car.

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com

 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/18 17:31 by wabash2800.

Could you power the tenders instead? Looks like these engines have Commonwealth drop equalizer tender trucks, maybe 7 foot wheelbase? Maybe something from Northwest Short Line would work?

I may try that on a 4-8-2 freight loco that has a longer tender and six wheel trucks, but I don't think the tenders for the 4-6-2 with the four-wheel trucks are big enough.

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com

CPR_4000 Wrote:
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> Could you power the tenders instead? Looks like
> these engines have Commonwealth drop equalizer
> tender trucks, maybe 7 foot wheelbase? Maybe
> something from Northwest Short Line would work?

The TCY  3 axle  Power truck will pull  4 brass cars on the level - They developed this drive for the SF "Valley Flyer" train. - This was a pacific class locomotive with 8 cars in tow.
The powered truck (one) made it work !

do it right !

original

Thanks for the replies folks. That is on my list.

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com

Vic, why don't you re-weight your engines and make sure your cars have free rolling trucks.  Sounds easier to me.

tomstp Wrote:
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> Vic, why don't you re-weight your engines and make
> sure your cars have free rolling trucks.  Sounds
> easier to me.

Maybe his engine doesn't have any more space available to add more weight.

Why not just add a helper locomotive at the rear of the train at the bottom of the grade and take it off at the top?  It would add a lot of operating interest to do so.

John Acosta
Palm Springs, CA

They have weights in tbe boilers. Typical of brass engines from the 70s, they can't pull that much up a 2% grade (my helicies).

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com

tomstp Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Vic, why don't you re-weight your engines and make
> sure your cars have free rolling trucks.  Sounds
> easier to me.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/09/18 11:18 by wabash2800.