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Dampflok
Joined: 04 Oct 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Inner Hebrides, Scotland, UK
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Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:30 pm Post subject: Very disappointing first impression. |
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My train arrived a few days ago and the track this morning. I immediately set it up, inserted batteries and applied power.
The power car was extremely noisy and ran intermittently around the track, eventually managing to run consistently at high speed. Adding one end car was fine but as soon as added the second end car the train would only run on the straight sections and just spun its wheels on the curves.
Has anyone else had this experience? Apart from track cleaning, how did you resolve it? I would very much like to run at least 3 cars at next month's exhibition.
All the best,
Chris. _________________ Chris from off the west coast of Scotland
http://trains.manvell.org.uk/ |
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trainspotter-usa
Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 315 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:42 pm Post subject: |
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You'll probably find that the wheelspin will reduce as the units get run in. I had similar issues with mine.
Here's an example with the Sobu line unit I just received. I'd set up part of the track layout of Hitsu which incorporates a 1 curve section in a length of straight track. Would the unit navigate that one curve section straight out of the box? Would it hellaslike...
But after a while it now runs fine. All 4 cars together.
I have to admit it does look pretty good to see the train run along a long straight negotiate this bend... (and then jerk to a stop in the station)
Ian _________________ I CAN see how cool this stuff is!!!
http://more-t-please.blogspot.com/ |
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michael
Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 47 Location: Cambridge, Ontario Canada
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Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:46 pm Post subject: Re: Very disappointing first impression. |
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Dampflok wrote: | The power car was extremely noisy and ran intermittently around the track, eventually managing to run consistently at high speed. Adding one end car was fine but as soon as added the second end car the train would only run on the straight sections and just spun its wheels on the curves. |
It seems I lucked out with my purchase, as I've had little/no issues. That being said, I did find the wheels and track needed a cleaning as well as i let the trains run for 20 minutes and it seemed to break them in nicely.
I've wondered if the rails could use a little more tooth - perhaps a little roughing-up with some sandpaper. _________________ Michael
www.tgauge.ca
www.modelrailroader.ca |
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trainspotter-usa
Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 315 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:47 pm Post subject: Re: Very disappointing first impression. |
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michael wrote: |
It seems I lucked out with my purchase, as I've had little/no issues. That being said, I did find the wheels and track needed a cleaning as well as i let the trains run for 20 minutes and it seemed to break them in nicely.
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Yours did sound super smooth in the video
Ian _________________ I CAN see how cool this stuff is!!!
http://more-t-please.blogspot.com/ |
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DanMacK
Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 127 Location: London, Ontario, Canada
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Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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The impression I get from T Gauge trains from watching videos is that they are indeed a little noisy. That should reduce as they're run in. Still waiting to order mine.
The size of the equipment is pretty much given to having a 1:1 ratio of powered vs unpowered equipment (1 unpowered car per one power car), but should get better as time goes on. _________________ Regards,
Dan MacKellar |
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JohnDMJ
Joined: 21 Sep 2008 Posts: 34 Location: Hampshire - UK
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:20 am Post subject: |
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As has been discussed elsewhere on this forum, the motor coaches are not overly powerful and, individually, are only really capable of running with one non-powered car.
Your basic set comprises two power cars and two driving trailers, as is easily demonstrated when the central coupling disengages!
I agree that the trains do run better when run-in and it pays to clean the track frequently.
Another tip for exhibiting: by all means, have a spare set of batteries to hand but also have a volt meter. If the train starts to misbehave, check the track voltage (4.25V typical). If that's OK, clean the track rather than change the batteries!
HTH
J |
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Dampflok
Joined: 04 Oct 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Inner Hebrides, Scotland, UK
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:44 am Post subject: |
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Thank you everyone for your helpful replies.
I had wondered whether they needed running in. Also, I had not realised that the two middle cars were both powered (how do they do it at the price?) so will try running a complete set for an hour or so and see how I get on. I am sure I saw some instructions in English a while back; I really must find them again and take note. Now I must find a board to mount it all on.
What do people make of the railer - I found it rather flaky, but I guess that a stronger pair of glasses and some practice might help there!
Once again, thank you. It has helped put my mind at rest.
Best wishes to you all,
Chris. _________________ Chris from off the west coast of Scotland
http://trains.manvell.org.uk/ |
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JohnDMJ
Joined: 21 Sep 2008 Posts: 34 Location: Hampshire - UK
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:58 am Post subject: |
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Dampflok wrote: | Thank you everyone for your helpful replies.
What do people make of the railer - I found it rather flaky, but I guess that a stronger pair of glasses and some practice might help there!
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I found the rerailer to be a total waste of time. I find that just by holding the coaches near the track you can feel the pull of the magnets. Normally, the wheels 'just end up on the rails'!!
J |
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Dampflok
Joined: 04 Oct 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Inner Hebrides, Scotland, UK
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:32 am Post subject: |
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Sounds good. I am working in Z scale at the moment and, though I can put some things on without the re-railer, locos definitely need one. I was surprised, then , that the T scale stuff seemed a lot easier to put on the track.I hadn't thought that the magnets would make it that easy!
Chris. _________________ Chris from off the west coast of Scotland
http://trains.manvell.org.uk/ |
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JohnDMJ
Joined: 21 Sep 2008 Posts: 34 Location: Hampshire - UK
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:52 am Post subject: |
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Coincidences! I'm also modelling in Z and find the same!
At the exhibition a couple of weeks ago, I had the Kato equivalent N gauge Class 103 unit beside the T gauge; the most frequently asked question was 'Is that Z?' So on Day 2, I took some Z along as well, if only to say, 'No, that is!!'
J |
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Dampflok
Joined: 04 Oct 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Inner Hebrides, Scotland, UK
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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Last month I exhibited my Z scale layout along with a static display of N and Z models. I was surprised that most of the kids at the exhibition knew immediately what the scale of the layout was in spite of the lack of any clues on the exhibit itself.
Chris. _________________ Chris from off the west coast of Scotland
http://trains.manvell.org.uk/ |
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JohnDMJ
Joined: 21 Sep 2008 Posts: 34 Location: Hampshire - UK
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:25 pm Post subject: |
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Dampflok wrote: | I was surprised that most of the kids at the exhibition knew immediately what the scale of the layout was in spite of the lack of any clues on the exhibit itself.
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My questions were generally from 'the older sector' but yes, your findings surprise mee too!
J |
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Dampflok
Joined: 04 Oct 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Inner Hebrides, Scotland, UK
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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Anyway, the T scale stuff should really confuse the audience!!!! I must also see if I can find my ZZ scale as well.
Chris. _________________ Chris from off the west coast of Scotland
http://trains.manvell.org.uk/ |
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TBA
Joined: 08 Sep 2008 Posts: 120 Location: Massachusetts
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 5:12 am Post subject: |
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Any thoughts of running an exhibition layout with the track suspended upside-down like in one of the video clips posted?
That would freak out the public. |
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Dampflok
Joined: 04 Oct 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Inner Hebrides, Scotland, UK
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 6:26 am Post subject: |
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Brilliant idea! However, I've enough going on to freak me out (55 dpdt switches and 20 push buttons to wire up, for a start) on my Z scale layout without having to sort out getting some glass and doing that as well. I might consider it next time round though.
All the best,
Chris. _________________ Chris from off the west coast of Scotland
http://trains.manvell.org.uk/ |
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