What was your latest purchase?

Primavw Feb 4, 2012

  1. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    That is an excellent price for that!
     
  2. Run8Racing

    Run8Racing TrainBoard Member

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    Rock Island sleepers are San Jacinto, Buffalo Bayou, and Rampart Range. RPO to be ordered soon !!!
     
    Hardcoaler, Pfunk, BNSF FAN and 2 others like this.
  3. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yep... those were released a few months ago. San Jacinto and Buffalo Bayou together... then Rampart Range more recently.

    I'm guessing you got the first two coaches Mistletoe and Waterloo about a year ago.

    BTW... it seems you got caught up in the same logistical foul up that happened to me in early 2022. Lowell had to verify what was sent or not... I ended up getting 9 cars under one shipment. It was like Christmas in February... LOL.
     
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2022
    BNSF FAN and MetraMan01 like this.
  4. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    Sure wish those were DCC compatible!
     
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  5. Massey

    Massey TrainBoard Member

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    So do I.
     
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  6. jwaldo

    jwaldo TrainBoard Member

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    As a fan of obscure motive power and a glutton for punishment, I couldn't resist picking up an old Minitrix FM H-12-44. If it's anything like the Minitrix F-units, it'll be worth the pain of bringing up to modern spec.
     
  7. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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  8. Pfunk

    Pfunk TrainBoard Member

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    can a decoder not be hardwired into these? I have several and was my plan...
     
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  9. freddy_fo

    freddy_fo TrainBoard Member

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    As long as you have the room which wouldn't require much if using something like a lokpilot micro, Lenz LE077XF or Zimo mx616.

    I've wired up locos that make those relatively spacious with regards to room for a decoder. Would be a quick job. Could even add interior lighting and why not with everything apart?
     
    DeaconKC likes this.
  10. Massey

    Massey TrainBoard Member

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    Because of the coreless motor they use in them, it’s not recommended.
     
  11. Massey

    Massey TrainBoard Member

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    Unfortunately those do not come powered… fortunately they are easy to add power.
     
  12. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    See https://dccwiki.com/Coreless_Motor

    This subject is controversial, but the link provides some useful information and guidance.

    Among them are that the decoder's motor output PWM frequency should be > 20KHz, and you should NOT use DCC zero-stretching mode (via address zero) to drive these as DC locos from DCC.

    The bulk of the problem with using these motors with DCC is that since there is no feromagnetic core for the windings, they have very little inductance. This means that a zero voltage PWM output (still with lots of AC voltage) will cause excessive current and overheating, melting the core winding insulation and bricking the motor. There are some PWM waveforms that do not emit AC at zero DC voltage exist, but it is less efficient, and small decoders are unlikely to use them. Even then, operating the locomotives at very low speed (so the armature cannot generate enough airflow to cool itself) is not advised.

    Fortunately, some modern, miniature DCC decoders operate at high PWM frequencies, and may be suitable for use with coreless motors in locomotives.

    Note, some DC power packs may use unfiltered PWM at fairly low frequencies, and may not be suitable for these locos as well. Adding capacitive and/or inductive filtering on the output would help.

    If I were going to try these, I would probably buy one, install a high frequency PWM decoder, and try it out, before I invested in a fleet of them.

    Standard disclaimers apply: Your Mileage May Vary; Closed Course, Professional Driver; Objects In Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear; Consult Your Physician Before Use; Yada, Yada, Yada.
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2022
  13. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    I forgot to mention that the articulated power chassis was ordered along with some parts to make it diesel powered.

    There several shells for this so you can get different looks.
     
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  14. freddy_fo

    freddy_fo TrainBoard Member

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    Great information there. Thanks! I know the V5 lokpilots allow for up to 50Khz and even have a "coreless-small diameter" motor pre-set if you use their lokprogrammer and software.
     
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  15. french_guy

    french_guy TrainBoard Member

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    Deluxe Innovations Gunderson twin stack. Looks like I need to buy containers now...............any recommendation by the way?
    Train #1.jpg Train #2.jpg
     
  16. nscalestation

    nscalestation TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes it is. I got a set like that several years ago at a show for $60.00 and was really happy with that price. It's also a great running set.
     
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  17. nscalestation

    nscalestation TrainBoard Supporter

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    Found some deals today at the South Bay Historical Railroad Society open house.

    TBWYLP06Nov22.jpg
     
  18. nscalestation

    nscalestation TrainBoard Supporter

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    Congrats ! Any of the brands of containers will work with that set. Containers are so over priced these days so shop carefully. Saw lots of bargains today at a club open house but did not buy any as I had filled my need for containers from their previous open houses.
     
    MetraMan01 likes this.
  19. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    Is that even possible, to "fill one's need" for containers?! How did you do that?!
     
  20. Massey

    Massey TrainBoard Member

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    I just print my own, they are too expensive to buy commercially made.
     
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