williams 2-8-4 berkshire's pulling power

[bluerose lady]

hello phillyreading...
I guess mine is the latest sd-45 (made in 2007) with the traction tires and last axle (blind) is plastic, the cab # 5622 santa fe.  it is good idea to wire  2 engines together for doubleheading. did i read you correct that the older ones have metal blind wheel on the last axle ?
the woman who loves toy trains
Tiffany

[3rail]

Tiffany,

We did use metal blind wheels on this truck in the early production runs.  We found that we had some problems with them shorting on some switch tracks, so we changed to plastic to solve this problem.

Regards,

3rail

[bluerose lady]

Hello 3rail...

you are right, the metal blind wheels DOES short out on the lionel fastrack switches. i had lionel trainmaster that had metal blind wheels and it shorts out on the switches.  then i bought a williams sd-45 and it has the plastic blind wheels and its no longer a problem, i am glad they put plastic ones this time (smart move) I run my sd-45 on lionel fastrack switches no problems at all.  SMILE.   its too bad that you dont have a williams santa fe caboose as i been trying to find one and i gave up and bought a MTH railking santa fe caboose.  whats new for williams 2011?
the woman who loves toy trains
Tiffany

[phillyreading]

Tiffany,

We did use metal blind wheels on this truck in the early production runs.  We found that we had some problems with them shorting on some switch tracks, so we changed to platsic to solve this problem.

Regards,

3rail

I have not had any problems with the three metal axles on my SD-45 and I am thinking of changing my newer SD-45's over to metal axles if I can get them or cut down some old F-7 wheels.
Apperantly Fastrac must be the only system to have a problem with the metal wheels.


Lee F.

[bluerose lady]

hello Phillyreading......

that is interesting, but with my fixed income i am stuck with fastrack.  what other trackage did you use that didnt have a problem with metal blind wheels shorting out ?  i was thinking of using tube type williams track and run the trains on the carpet as my husband and i live in 850 sq apt.

the woman who loves toy trains
Tiffany

[phillyreading]

Tiffany,

I am using tubalar Lionel and Gargraves switches, mainly 042 with some 027 track for the upper level.
I tried using Fastrac but it got too expensive and it also got dirty too quick on the tops of the rails for me. Never had Fastrac switches, so I can't comment except to say the switches are super($100.00 a piece, $200.00 a pair) expensive!

Lee F.

[3rail]

Tiffany,

We made the change long before Fasttrak was on the market. I don't recall the specific reason.  With the expansion of the O Gauge track systems, many styles of turnouts have been made over the years.

For 2011, we will have our catalog out in February, so you will just have to wait and see.

Regards,

3rail

[Joe Satnik]

Tiff,

Don't be afraid to change track systems.  You'll recoup a lot of your money auctioning off your Fastrack on-line.   

I think Gargraves flex-track and switches are gorgeous, though they would have to be used in a more permanent setting/layout.

(Flex-track shaped to a curve needs to be attached to a surface to hold that curve.)

Hmm,... "Necessity is the mother of invention"..., Flex-track carpet anchors...., yeah, that's it,... it'll make me millions.....

Again, I have O-27 and O-gauge (O-31) Lionel (and competitors copies) tubular tinplate track.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

   

[bluerose lady]

Hello Phillyreading......
I agree the fastrack switches the remote control ones are super expensive so i use the manuals which they are like 39 dollars a pop and still bit expensive.

the woman who loves toy trains
Tiffany

[bluerose lady]

hello Joe Satnik.........

doesn't the tube type track wear grooves on the wheels of engines, ? i have seen some heavy wears on locomotive's wheels on evil-bay as they look like pulleys !!!!!  lol
the woman who loves toy trains
Tiffany

[Joe Satnik]

Tiff,

Are you sure you're not looking at the grooves that the traction tires settle into?

(Broken/missing traction tire?)

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

[bluerose lady]

Hello Joe Satnik....

no, i dont think so because the engine was a postwar lionel 2321 FM, didnt use any traction tires back then i think.......
the woman who loves toy trains
Tiffany

[Joe Satnik]

Dear Tiffany,

I've heard of 3rd rail pickup rollers having a groove wore in them, even cutting the rollers in half, but I didn't realize you could wear out the wheels.   

That Trainmaster must have had some big mileage with heavy loads put on it. 

I pretty sure the wheels can be replaced, though I'm not sure of the cost.   

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik 

[bluerose lady]

Hello Joe Satnik......
i guess so.......... i had grooves on the roller pick ups on my lionel 2383 back in 1974.......LOL. I wish i still had it.

the woman who loves toy trains
Tiffany

[r0gruth]

hello Joe Satnik.........

doesn't the tube type track wear grooves on the wheels of engines, ? i have seen some heavy wears on locomotive's wheels on evil-bay as they look like pulleys !!!!!  lol
the woman who loves toy trains
Tiffany

I think this is a story started by the makers of T-rail.

I have three Lionel locos from 1946-47 and none have grooves worn in the wheels.

There were some reports of Lionel Super O track with the very narrow center rail wearing into the pick-up rollers and slides.I have seen it on slides.