GEC's Layout Progress

[Green_Elite_Cab]

Hi

........ You're the only one out there i know of that's doing electric stuff like this.

really??

No, i would agree, because i only know a few other people who have any real MU car fleets. Most people i know who own MUs either have a handful of Metroliners or bits and pieces of brass they've picked up. To me, i can't see how you'd model ANY New Jersey Electrified line without an MU car of some kind (except for a small branch from Monmouth Junction to South Amboy that was used by coal and freight on an irregular basis).

indeed, there is no spot on the NEC that doesn't see daily runs of Electric Multiple Units. You almost need a fleet of these just for the scene to be complete. Unfortunately, the high price and small productions make it difficult to obtain any large numbers of these cars, and the supply is just short of the demand every time. When i talk to Mike from IHP (IHP makes all the MU models posted above), he tells me that most people just buy one or two kits of the trains they ride, or operated as engineers, or see by their house. Making extras would be bad because if he can't sell them, then he looses out.

I have long discussions with both manufacturer of NJ Transit and other commuter equipment ( i think, you know the companies).

My problem is, that the system, how to power such equipment is not good enough for me and the kind, how to use.
Any magic beatle drive system has an thermical problem after more than one hour run, guess what will happen, if the equipment have to run one the under "exebitions" stress ( means up to 9h runtime). Older magic beatles ( thenshodo...) have the problem, that they are realy difficult to convert them in dcc opperation ( the pick ups, go directly to the motor, most molded together...)
Now, let`s see, what happens with the new nwsl stanton drive....
The older equipment (GEM metroliners--anyone need some?), need los of work to re-power, same as Bachmann Metroliners. A good compromise was the idea, to use an rdc driving system, some models are prepared for it....
Our priority in the past was building a layout, then spend time for the equipment.
When our "new" commuter station with surrounding city area will be finished ( 2 tracks, each 1,5meters length for trains-premiere will be on the convention in Germany in October), the we can use some of the models.
Also in autumn ( perhaps) the con-cor mp54 will delivered, we will see, how they will work.
I ( we) have lots of "building sites" ( engines fittet with sound and prototypical ligths, cab interiours etc..), some engine kits...lost of work.

First up, i have a video about the various available MU car drives. You can see the various MUs on the run. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMVshsDY9hQ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMVshsDY9hQ</a><!-- m -->

I agree, the drive problems for these things are ridiculous. Very few of these things go fast enough to satisfy me, especially if you want to run a metroliner at scale speeds. for some of the other Commuter cars, its not such a big deal.

My Silverliner III has a Stanton drive in it, and it seems to work alright. However, those Silverliner III models are featherweights compared to the Arrow III and Silverliner IV kits. I'm concerned that after a powered trucks won't be able to handle the heavier models. I might break down and buy IHP drive frames if he offers them separately.