Reading a thread about "no small motors available" in another forum, I remembered that there was a Faulhaber report about the latest Fleischmann steam engine. For those who are interested in what is technically possible, here is the English version: http://www.faulhaber-group.com/n426831/n.html In my very subjective and personal opinion this is the best N-scale engine I ever saw so far. Incredible detail and smooth running characteristics, a real engineering marvel. And it is not more expensive that other steam engines (unless you compute cost per length... :tb-tongue: ) Just in case anyone is interested....
Hmmm - looks like what I've been looking for to pull my few old Prussian coaches. How does it operate over turnouts - will high points in plastic frogs cause the loco to rise up and lose electrical contact (common with 0-4-0s and 0-6-0s)? Tausand Dank, Christoph! Scott
Bitte schön, Scott I don't have any plastic frogs, on Peco Electrofrogs and Minitrix powered metal frogs it runs well. The two driving axles are equalized, plus the front wheels are also picking up power, they are in fact mounted in the frame. Running Prussian coaches with a Bavarian engine might upset some die-hard Bavarians, as "dia Preissn" (the Prussians) are their kind of pet enemies. I know this because I lived four years in Munich, and was "a Preiss", too. I liked this engine so much that I ordered this year's "Deutsche Bundesbahn" version as well.
And they do a version with a built in decoder!:tb-ooh: FLEISCHMANN - die Modellbahn der Profis And I bet, although you pay for it, they don't have problems with dodgey Chinese production and quality control.
I have quite a few Fleischmann steam locos in both DC and DCC. All are supurb performers. They are smooth runners and excellent pullers. A couple of interesting features. All have traction tires. If they have tenders, the drive is in the tender. I don't understand why US manufacturers have not employed these designs. All the complaining about locos not pulling would go away. The downside is they are at least twice as expensive as what we are used to paying for North American prototypes.
David, Cardiff 1021 is a real beaut! Please tell us - what did you start with, and how much modifying did you do to it? Scott
Yes please tell how David....That is AWESOME! I want to make one like that to pull mine carts for an old western scene.
http://www.steamlocomotive.info/F92001.cfm This is what I want for my sugar factory!!! maybe it is a possibility:tb-nerd:
You might see pick-up problems with US 040 and 060's, but not with german manufacture engines. The quality of the product is vastly superior to the products that you see from US companies.
Am I reading right? This thing can also be purchased with a decoder? Where can you buy it? Thanks. ...Tom
EurolokShop will probably have them in pretty soon. I have had alot of luck with them in the past. They will give you an honest assessment of the arrival date. Beware however, Fleischmann products can cause sticker-shock to Americans if you aren't prepared. http://www.tee-usa.com/
Best place for Fleischmann N scale (and most European stuff in general) is luckily right in my neck of the woods - Euro Rail Hobbies & More outside of Vancouver, Canada. See Marklin Roco Trix Brawa Fleischmann and More! - Euro Rail Hobbies and More - talk to Walter the owner if you can. Chris
EurolokShop list them for $213.95 analog/$287.97 DCC. If the Aussie exchange rate wasn't what it is at the moment I'd be tempted. They are expensive, but current Fleischmann and other German made trains leave U.S. Chinese made equipment in the dust. I spent several hours drooling over the display cases in hobby shops in Berlin, Stuttgart, Nuremberg and Munich while I was there in June, most of the items in the stores were similarly priced and similarly impressive.
Yes, VERY tempting! Now that I'm recovering from the sticker shock, I can make a critical decision. After years of waiting for an 0-4-0T or 0-6-0T that could make it across a Peco turnout without stalling (I failed 3 times last year, ebay-buying an Atlas, a Rivarossi and and LifeLike), it looks like Fleischmann is the only way to go. Christoph, by any chance, have you replaced the model's Rapido couplers with MT or similar? If so, what did you use as the replacement? By the way, I'm pleased to report - after closer examination - that my coach stock is 1890s Beyerischen, nicht Preussischen. Scott
Sorry, no MTLs on Fleischmann. I have all my American models converted to knuckle couplers, but all my German models use Rapidos. I just looked at the Fleischmann 70, it is probably not easy to convert. I would also fear that if you look to much at the details, something might break. These headlights have plastic handles which are so fine that you almost can't see them. Someone was talking about "made in Germany" versus "made in China". So far Fleischmann is still produced in Germany, but the company has been sold some months ago and some changes are to be expected. Right now they are having a sale of their older models in stock, it looks like they will convert to batch production like all American manufactureres do. I bought some models that I don't want to miss. All other German models are already produced in China, Trix, Arnold (now Hornby), Brawa, just to name a few. If you follow the discussion in German forums, people there swear that the German manufacturers have given up quality control as well. Not sure whether this is correct, but it is believed by many. Just for your information, because someone mentioned it.
Thank you, Christoph - I just ordered a unit in Bavarian livery. No problem with couplers - I'll plan to use short converter wagons if shunting my US MTLs. Again, thank you for your help. Well, with payment due, guess I'd better go hold up a liquor store. Scott
I am not sure if this helps with conversions to MTLs but Fleischmann is (I think) the only German N scale manufacturer to use a coupler pocket on 'most' of their locos and rolling stock. They offer regular rapidos but also sell what they call a 'profi' coupler with more reliable coupling and a shorter coupling distance. The pocket is a small box with a slot on each side to accept a stubby pin on the coupler shank. If I can dig up my FL n scale catalog I will post the page with all the couplers on it (they also make a variety of adapters to convert other company's stock to the profi coupler). I ordered the DB DCC version of this loco that was announced this year and it hasn't been delivered by Fleischmann yet. The Bavarian version has started to show up in stores in Germany though so the North American stores should have that one delivered soon. And speaking of small, my Trix german KOF shunter (Trix T12439 - Euro Rail Hobbies and More) arrived the other day and it makes the Fleischmann loco look huge!
