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Operating Cars - Track compatability

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  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Operating Cars - Track compatability
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 28, 2004 7:33 PM
Can I use Lionel/K-line operating cars on Realtrax. Also how does an operating car work.
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Hunt Valley, Maryland
  • 194 posts
Posted by Craignor on Sunday, March 28, 2004 7:53 PM
Bob,

I use Realtrax and the Realtrax operating track, and have had complete sucess with MTH and Lionel operating cars and couplers. I don't have any K-Line operating cars, but I have never heard of any problems.

The operating track has two ways of activating an operating car:

There is an electromagnet in the center track of the operating track that when activated reacts with the operating car. The car may have a steel plunger that gets pulled down triggering the dump mechanism, or coupler, or such.

Then there is the 4th and 5th rails on the operating track that activate other type cars. Pickup shoes on the car hit the 4th and 5th rails creating a circuit. A button activates the circuit which may launch a helicopter or another trick.

I use a seperate transformer to power this accessory track, this gives full power all the time for snappy operation, no matter where the track power is set.
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Jelloway Creek, OH - Elv. 1100
  • 7,578 posts
Posted by Buckeye Riveter on Sunday, March 28, 2004 9:03 PM
I know your are talking about the operating cars that use the special track to make them work, but does anybody have an idea how to make the Lionel Giraffe car operate on RealTrax? If you do know how, write an article and send in to CTT. The slide that attaches to the track will not connect to RealTrax and I don't think it will connect to Lionel's new track system. The Giraffe car is the blue car in the photo below in the background.



Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum. Smile, Wink & Grin

Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..

Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR

TCA 09-64284

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