N Scale T-Trak

billmtx Oct 28, 2010

  1. tracktoo

    tracktoo TrainBoard Member

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    Have you tested the PCC on a 4" radius? I only have experience with Bachmann's PCC but on mine (several years ago) it wouldn't turn a 4" radius. I'm not sure what the tightest radius it would run is as I was trying for 3 1/2" or tighter and do recall that I could not get even close to that. I seem to think it was around 7" but couldn't swear to that. Might be worth a test if not already done. :cool:
     
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2019
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  2. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Base wiring complete. I left some slack and spot hot glued in case something does get snagged at some point.

    Red connectors are track power takeoffs for servo pilot and light hub and one spare in case she needs something else.

    5B07F0B1-B892-4423-A007-54B28C8952F0.jpeg

    Still looking for a connector to fit the switch pilot servo input pins for the kid friendly controller and need to build the linkage from the turnout to the servo but it’s ready now for scenicking as soon as her tomix 103mm get here.

    Tracktoo, was yours a black or white geared PCC? Every thing I’ve seen including traction sites and videos, indicate PCC can run on tomix 103, (about 8.8 diameter) but it’s the Peter Witt that can’t go below 5.5 radius.
     
  3. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    A lot of people repower them with a Tomix chassis, they run better, sit better, and will make a 4 inch radius. My interurbans are powered with those chassis and I have a pair of PCC cars that will use them too
     
  4. randgust

    randgust TrainBoard Member

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    Beware that Tomytec/Tomix has been messing with their designs. The original truck designs had an offset gear tower so that the universal joint for the driveshaft ended up right above the truck bolster. Great design, incredibly tight radius potential and no binding.
    The "R" series (Revised??), (you'll see an "R" after the chassis number) has a centered gear tower and the universal joint is inboard, so the driveshaft is shorter and also has to swing, increasing the potential binding factor.
    The other thing is that the 12MM truck wheelbases generally have INBOARD pickups, and the 14mm truck wheelbases have end-axle pickups. I think those work better.
    If you are looking at a chassis and can't figure it out on these details, Plaza Japan has the dimensioned drawings of anything they have in stock at the time (which varies) but it's as good an information source as any.
    I love the designs because with the plastic frame, end-axles, and either one or two truck drive you can shorten or lengthen the frames to fit the situation, and the driveshaft lengths can be extended or shortened by using brass tubing as splice material. I've been using their components on my Whitcomb switcher kit and powered boxcar kit for over 10 years now.
    The motors have also been revised, they've gone from a Bachmann-style can motor to a smaller Kato-style can motor. The Bachmann style were a lot more susceptible to brush failures in my opinion, not a problem on that change.
     
  5. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Since my last post here I have completed the servo install for the turnout, and went the extra $1 and made a working switchstand for it also.



    Ballasting done, and now the first test run done.

     
  6. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    You might want to swap out the streetcar chassis with a Tomix chassis, or at least trim the top off of the PCC to lower it...
     
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  7. tracktoo

    tracktoo TrainBoard Member

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    And for a height estimate, the axle C/L should be about even with the body lower edge. Not lower than the edge but about even. They are pretty high as made and that lowering improves their prototypical look immensely. It would require the body tab to be removed too. A new lower one can be fudged in along the bottom edge if it is desired to have that positive lock.

    I also like the switch stand idea. Care to elaborate on how that function was accomplished? :cool:
     
  8. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    I know, but it is brand new and not mine, so I won’t be swapping the working chassis out at this time.

    Check my build thread in my sig. I have a link to the you tube video showing the underside of the module so you can see the linkages. Servo positioning is a bit fiddley as it has to be very near the switch stand and farther from the turnout to get the right amount of rotation for each, but... VERY inexpensive. It’s basically scrap tubing and music wire.
     
  9. engineer bill

    engineer bill TrainBoard Supporter

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    I get so confused...... what part number chassis works best replacing the bachman PCC I have no tight turns just want a good runner
     
  10. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    From the research I have done the TOMYTEC-TM-TR04 seems to be the best option as far as open wheel, wheelbase and chassis length are concerned. I’m sure others will chime in.
    I’ve considered buying a seconds shell and that chassis to play around with some fiber optics as the trolley pole so I can make it spark occasionally, and for the headlight.
     
  11. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    They don't have lights in these chassis
     
  12. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Nope but they have tons of room above the second truck.
     
  13. engineer bill

    engineer bill TrainBoard Supporter

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    thank you, now I can get one ordered and fitted soon, and if it works O-BOY! I will have a sweet running PCC finally
     
  14. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    No worries, I just bought another PCC for $10 just to get the shell off it. I’m about to order the powered chassis from Japan to play with also. This one is going to get lights and windows, but probably stay DC.
     
  15. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    They had a T-track layout running at the Union Depot in St. Paul with the 4014 on display. There was a Lionel too and multiple distributors of goodies. PIC_0076.JPG PIC_0077.JPG PIC_0079.JPG PIC_0080.JPG
     
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  16. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    I would like to report the stock Bachmann PCC trolley handles tomix 103mm radius curves just fine.
    I need another pack or two of tomix 140 straights and a couple packs more of 103s, but I have two ovals set up, one per module with turnouts to link one oval to the other.
    I also bought a white geared one with a dead motor to cannabalize for spares and for the shell for a future project.

    My daughter has no issue driving the PCC with our little eBay PWM motor controller and at 5 ish volts it can’t go fast enough at WOT to derail. I might try cranking it up to 9v however.
     
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  17. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    I got the tomix chassis for my birthday (the 27th) and after extending the wheelbase to the second position and installing the LL (longest) rear frame extension... Enjoy the comparo shot.

    BB8D98F9-7427-4735-8D9E-841A4319E751.jpeg
     
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  18. Massey

    Massey TrainBoard Member

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    Ok, I have decided on what I want for my modules and I need some modern businesses. I know Kato used to make a Denny’s restaurant, which is hard but not impossible to find, but I’m also looking for things like Arco (or other modern similar) gas station, McDonald’s, Taco Bell etc. I’m going to do something like Gallup NM where Route 66 runs in between the track and businesses on the other side of the road. I don’t care if it is 100% accurate or not, i just want it to be where people will recognize the modern American South West.

    So... anyone know where I can get building kits to make this work. I would rather not scratch build everything but I can if needed.
     
  19. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    I would look at Summit Customcuts
     
  20. engineer bill

    engineer bill TrainBoard Supporter

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    nice job I got mine on my birthday the 25th...now to build out the frame to fit inside the shell, thanks for the info on your setup.
     
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