I would love to see several folks come together and do a special issue dedicated to clockwork trains. Heck, it might stir some new interest in trains that require no electricty to operate. Call the issue/article "All Wound Up!" I only have a single clockwork model, but even it has an interesting back store being part of a cigarette companies gift scheme back in the late 20's and early 30's. There have been a few small articles but they barely scratched the surface of the topic. It would be something totally different than what I have seen in CTT lately. With the times we are in right now, might be a good time to revist the fun of wind up trains. Just my 2 cents, I dont know enough to do an indepth article, but have plenty of interest in the topic. Mikie
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
Hi Mikie,
Thanks for your interesting and thoughtful post. I would like to talk with you about your idea, especially the story behind your clockwork train. I can see the potential of such an article, particularly if we draw on other sources.
Please contact me at the magazine at your convenience to share what you have in mind.
Sincerely,
Roger Carp
Senior editor
Classic Toy Trains
262-796-8776 ext. 253
I sent you a message Rodger. Not a big phone chatter as I am autistic, but I can message all day long. Mike
Here is the DoY pulling my Corination Scot train(Darstaed consist-1st coach/12 wheel diner/3rd coach). Then the next pic is my live steam Mogul on the same train. My live steam Enterprise can be seen parked infront of the Marx freight house, its original box up on my shelves. The article could cover both forms of non electical powered O gauge. Mike the Aspie
emdmike I sent you a message Rodger. Not a big phone chatter as I am autistic, but I can message all day long. Mike
Hi Mike,
Instead of a message, I suggest you send Roger an email: rcarp@classictoytrains.com
Rene Schweitzer
Classic Toy Trains/Garden Railways/Model Railroader
Thanks Rene, I did just that! Mike the Aspie
An article or two on clockwork trains is a fantastic idea ! Would love to see it!
Paul
Me too! Me too! I think clockwork trains are fun!
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
alright, late (ish) to the party but count me in! I'm no expert, nor a serious collector, but I absolutely love clockwork trains, and if I wasn't so busy dealing with other things, I might attempt to learn some machining skills in order to repair some of the windups I own- I've discovered that Marx rachet motors seem to have one particular brass gear that loves to fail, I have around 3 motors that would have been fine if not for the damaged gear rendering them shot! Windups are deeply underrated, and I would be delighted to see CTT do a feature on them. I wonder if James P would be interested in doing an article, he's quite the windup-wizard!
"Unless bought from a known and trusted dealer who can vouch otherwise, assume every train for sale requires servicing before use"
Are there any machine shops in your area? If so, you could take the damaged gears to them and have some new ones made. A good machinist can do anything with metals.
Mind you, it probably wouldn't be cheap.
Do those brass gears mate up with steel ones? If that's the case I'm not surprised they've worn out, mating gears should be of analogous materials or sure as shootin' one's going to eat the other one up sooner or later.
If you like windup trains outdoors, check out the Spring Windup, held at Garden Railways' founding editor Marc Horovitz's house. Watch until the end to see some bloopers!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWrm_7lcMEc
Wow! Thanks for the link!
I vote "yea" for a clockwork trains article. There were some pretty amazing clockwork mechanisms that could run a train around a loop several times before the power gave out!
Regards, Roy
Good afternoon all,
I think this idea might be worth a few write-ups as well. Back in the day when not every home had electricity or when not every one could afford an electric train set (which judging by the current prices (so to speak) could happen again), clock work trains were practical options. While operating possibilties are decidely more limited, the same landscaping and scenic potential is still there. Besides with clockwork , there is no 2 rail/ 3 rail discussion! I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
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