Really cool and out of the ordinary ( switching with clockwork and auto stop ) so I thought I'd share what I found..what a collection.
watch?v=cABdBJfFBI&feature=g all a&list=PL2065298A4C5452A4&context=G2f6f0cdFAAAAAAAAGAA
Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has.
I've got one word to describe your contribution to this site!
Awesome!
Ray
Bayville, NJ
Life is what happens to youWhile you're busy making other plans - John Lennon
AF53 I've got one word to describe your contribution to this site! Awesome! Ray
Ray,
I had no idea that there were so many operating clockwork accessories, that to my surprise are running on clockwork themselves. The reversible clockwork engines..I have heard that Marx made a reversible clockwork engine ( perhaps just a rumor)..if so, I have yet to find it. All of this is contrary to ordinary.
Bruce
That is awesome! Isn't 1 gauge close to standard gauge?
wallyworld The reversible clockwork engines..I have heard that Marx made a reversible clockwork engine ( perhaps just a rumor)..if so, I have yet to find it. All of this is contrary to ordinary. Bruce
The reversible clockwork engines..I have heard that Marx made a reversible clockwork engine ( perhaps just a rumor)..if so, I have yet to find it. All of this is contrary to ordinary.
Marx reversible clockworks do exist... but they are somewhat hard to come by. I have a reversible Commodore Vanderbilt that can be seen at the end of this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKbxjH-kFmY
Marx also made reversible clockwork M10005's and Mercury's. The first year I see Marx reversible windups advertised is 1937, and I don't see them advertised when production resumed post-war.
But... as much as I like my Marx clockworks, they aren't up to the level of sophistication of this equipment. I've seen this video before, but I always like watching it again!
- James
I like that vid, have watched it before actually. It is very cool.
The same guy has another very cool layout in his garage that is O gauge electric of European trains from probably 1900-1930 or so. Both are very nice layouts with good track plans and some very nice old stations!
Extremely great set up. I agree with others I was not aware that there were so many clockwork accessories
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Bruce,
I have many American Flyer clockwork steamers and I don't believe they ever made any that went in reverse. I've also scanned the through the catalogs and don't recall ever reading about any. But that set, along with their accessories and boxes is amazing.
Ps.... I just read through Greenberg's Guide to American Flyer Prewar O Gauge. The chapter dealing with clockwork's do not mention anything about reverse Loco's. Bing made some fantastic trains.
Good evening all,
Way too cool! That is the best post of the year so far! Totally neat!
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
AF53 Bruce, I have many American Flyer clockwork steamers and I don't believe they ever made any that went in reverse. I've also scanned the through the catalogs and don't recall ever reading about any. But that set, along with their accessories and boxes is amazing. Ps.... I just read through Greenberg's Guide to American Flyer Prewar O Gauge. The chapter dealing with clockwork's do not mention anything about reverse Loco's. Bing made some fantastic trains. Ray
I guess Marx made the only U.S reversible clockwork engine, but I did see a long ago article in the original Garden Railroad magazine ( prior to Kalmbach's ownership) concerning some later U.K clockwork engines having a speed governor which always sounded intriguing..they (GR) had also an amazing feature on large outdoor wind up roads, built up like live steam layouts on large, elevated tracks and platforms. Some really amazing stuff..If there are any folks who know about these large layouts or the speed governor equipped locos Id love to hear more about them.
Bruce, were those clockwork governors adjustable? The Marx clockworks have a governor in them, but it isn't adjustable. Most of my clockworks run so fast that they won't stay on an O27 curve, at least not without a long train coupled behind them. I have disassembled motors that had actual problems with the governor, but it isn't something I do except as a last resort. I think it would be neat to have an adjustable governor that could be used as a throttle to vary the speed of the locomotive.
I would like to see that issue of GR... I've discussed the possibility of building an outdoor railroad for the clockworks with one of my friends. We were thinking about a dual gauge line for G & O gauges. I have a small clockwork layout in the house, but I'm limited to 4x8 with O42 curves. An outdoor railroad would really let the windups stretch their springs!
WOW, very nice video, really fun to watch. Thanks for sharing.
Bill T.
I remember that issue - I think the railroad was called the "Crewchester" or something like that. What I thought was cool was how the stations were set in a slight depression so as they coasted in they would come to stop in a bit of a bowl and it would be a smooth stop. When rewound and set off again the loco would have to pull the consist up a slight grade making the departure smooth also. And yes they were governed. That article was from back in the mid 90's I think. I'll see if I can find it.
-Geoff
JamesP Bruce, were those clockwork governors adjustable? The Marx clockworks have a governor in them, but it isn't adjustable. Most of my clockworks run so fast that they won't stay on an O27 curve, at least not without a long train coupled behind them. I have disassembled motors that had actual problems with the governor, but it isn't something I do except as a last resort. I think it would be neat to have an adjustable governor that could be used as a throttle to vary the speed of the locomotive. I would like to see that issue of GR... I've discussed the possibility of building an outdoor railroad for the clockworks with one of my friends. We were thinking about a dual gauge line for G & O gauges. I have a small clockwork layout in the house, but I'm limited to 4x8 with O42 curves. An outdoor railroad would really let the windups stretch their springs! - James
James
The article was published long ago but Marc H who was ( is?) the editor of the magazine is into this as well on his own outdoor layout in the U.S . The only reference I could find was this:
"The legendary Walker-Fenn "controlled clockwork" loco (England 1920s). This firm bought 6-coupled O gauge mechanisms from Märklin and fitted them with the speed governor from a clockwork gramophone, resulting in a locomotive that can crawl along very slowly." I'll just have to keep looking..
Here is a video of one of them..and the low speed combined with some very impressive pulling power is a revelation to me as much as the mount of accessories for wind ups.
watch?v=C3QjRFmYSGk&feature=youtu.be
Also Marc's annual clockworks in the garden event.
watch?v=xVFMzofUQ&feature=related
I love clockwork or wind-up trains - and an outside version too - wow! Thanks for posting these videos.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Thanks for the information and the additional videos. Those clockworks do seem to run slower - and more dignified if you will - than the Marx versions. The appeal of an outside clockwork layout (for me) is the space, and the sweeping curves will allow the trains to run longer on a windup, too.
The Marx locomotives may be a bit speedy, but I don't have any complaints about their pulling power. This video shows a double-header with two clockwork Commodore Vanderbilts pulling a freight around my outside O42 loop, with an older CV pulling two passenger cars around the O27 loop:
watch?v=KsKg5mv0 nc
I get a kick out of the clockworks, no matter who makes them!
After watching the "Garden Event" video, the first thing I thought was "Imagine, grown men playing with toys! When will they grow up?"
I wonder how many wives really think that?
That is an awesome video inasmuch as it never occurred to me to double-head CV's..I know that compared to the Hafner windups I do have, I agree that the Marx CV has the most pulling power but I think Marx made a plastic bodied loco late into their production and I have been looking for one thinking that the lighter body might provide a longer run. Maybe. I saw that windup's are not quite dead yet as Hornby jis selling a windup version of Thomas The Tank. I would love to get a Hornby but the rate of exchange stinks. Your layout is great, I assume the track has additional tiesadded (?)
I go the U.K version of Ebay now and then and have yet to find a Walker Fenn...
AF53 After watching the "Garden Event" video, the first thing I thought was "Imagine, grown men playing with toys! When will they grow up?" I wonder how many wives really think that? Ray
In one conversation, my wife made the comment that without knowing the history of whatever, there's no way to appreciate collecting and operating and what drives us to play with toys..Sort of like the hunter gatherer thing of rarities..she knows it is a acquired taste.
The only thing I enjoy as much is taking out the fat tired, white walled Schwinn out for a spin. In retirement, we get to indulge in non practical matters and when you get to be my age, you know enough not to give a @@@ about what others may think..a 360 degree turn from being a working stiff since the age of 16..
If anything, it's good to set aside the cares of the world. I call it healthy and I am fortunate enough ( don't deserve it ) to have a wife who "gets it" I think most wives know that our predilections as males could be a whole lot worse..lol.
wallyworld AF53: After watching the "Garden Event" video, the first thing I thought was "Imagine, grown men playing with toys! When will they grow up?" I wonder how many wives really think that? Ray Ray, In one conversation, my wife made the comment that without knowing the history of whatever, there's no way to appreciate collecting and operating and what drives us to play with toys..Sort of like the hunter gatherer thing of rarities..she knows it is a acquired taste. The only thing I enjoy as much is taking out the fat tired, white walled Schwinn out for a spin. In retirement, we get to indulge in non practical matters and when you get to be my age, you know enough not to give a @@@ about what others may think..a 360 degree turn from being a working stiff since the age of 16.. If anything, it's good to set aside the cares of the world. I call it healthy and I am fortunate enough ( don't deserve it ) to have a wife who "gets it" I think most wives know that our predilections as males could be a whole lot worse..lol.
AF53: After watching the "Garden Event" video, the first thing I thought was "Imagine, grown men playing with toys! When will they grow up?" I wonder how many wives really think that? Ray
Wally I may not be your age yet as have not retired or ready to yet but reading your comment above made me think that I'm lucky enough to have a wife that has my attitude about what others think. "This is my house and if you don't like it don't let the door hit you in the @$$ on the way out. " and thats goes for the thread that I didn't comment in about what others were teasing a guy about modeling trains ( notice I said modeling not playing with) as to me thats what it is.
rtraincollector wallyworld: AF53: After watching the "Garden Event" video, the first thing I thought was "Imagine, grown men playing with toys! When will they grow up?" I wonder how many wives really think that? Ray Ray, In one conversation, my wife made the comment that without knowing the history of whatever, there's no way to appreciate collecting and operating and what drives us to play with toys..Sort of like the hunter gatherer thing of rarities..she knows it is a acquired taste. The only thing I enjoy as much is taking out the fat tired, white walled Schwinn out for a spin. In retirement, we get to indulge in non practical matters and when you get to be my age, you know enough not to give a @@@ about what others may think..a 360 degree turn from being a working stiff since the age of 16.. If anything, it's good to set aside the cares of the world. I call it healthy and I am fortunate enough ( don't deserve it ) to have a wife who "gets it" I think most wives know that our predilections as males could be a whole lot worse..lol. Wally I may not be your age yet as have not retired or ready to yet but reading your comment above made me think that I'm lucky enough to have a wife that has my attitude about what others think. "This is my house and if you don't like it don't let the door hit you in the @$$ on the way out. " and thats goes for the thread that I didn't comment in about what others were teasing a guy about modeling trains ( notice I said modeling not playing with) as to me thats what it is.
wallyworld: AF53: After watching the "Garden Event" video, the first thing I thought was "Imagine, grown men playing with toys! When will they grow up?" I wonder how many wives really think that? Ray Ray, In one conversation, my wife made the comment that without knowing the history of whatever, there's no way to appreciate collecting and operating and what drives us to play with toys..Sort of like the hunter gatherer thing of rarities..she knows it is a acquired taste. The only thing I enjoy as much is taking out the fat tired, white walled Schwinn out for a spin. In retirement, we get to indulge in non practical matters and when you get to be my age, you know enough not to give a @@@ about what others may think..a 360 degree turn from being a working stiff since the age of 16.. If anything, it's good to set aside the cares of the world. I call it healthy and I am fortunate enough ( don't deserve it ) to have a wife who "gets it" I think most wives know that our predilections as males could be a whole lot worse..lol.
I absolutely agree with you. I have read my share of guys hiding their purchases, or having to listen to prattle from "theoretical" grownups whose toys might be that new car or flat screen t.v and justify their own gadgets with "being a responsible adult." The whole issue strikes me as supercilious. Without knowing the support of my wife , I probably would still have no need to be defensive about what I enjoy just as much as someone who collects salt and pepper shakers or china..My wife ( while not completely understanding the lure of the hobby,) accepts it as much as we kid each other about her interests which I cannot fathom, and at best , I am ambivalent about. I think husbands and wives dont need to share all interests, but rather appreciate that what they are is a part of us allows us to "be ourselves." ..I would rather have a vintage train than an I-Phone. I see no difference and any difference some self opinionated knucklehead would espouse is just yada..yada..
I have found that guys or gals who do not have any interest in hobbies, do not fare so well in retirement. My neighbor cuts his grass every other day and I suspect it just gets him out of the house.
Bruce and Rt - you guys make me laugh, I mean literally. You are so right about the wives need to be "on-board" with what we do with our "hobby". I know I have some of my purchases delivered to my sisters house but believe me, my wife knows what I get and I have yet to let it disturb my ability to pay the bills.
Bruce - on the careing what others think about you as you get older, I'm 54 and I've noticed that a little more with each passing year and it feels ok!
wallyworld James That is an awesome video inasmuch as it never occurred to me to double-head CV's..I know that compared to the Hafner windups I do have, I agree that the Marx CV has the most pulling power but I think Marx made a plastic bodied loco late into their production and I have been looking for one thinking that the lighter body might provide a longer run. Maybe. I saw that windup's are not quite dead yet as Hornby jis selling a windup version of Thomas The Tank. I would love to get a Hornby but the rate of exchange stinks. Your layout is great, I assume the track has additional tiesadded (?) I go the U.K version of Ebay now and then and have yet to find a Walker Fenn...
I know my early CV's weigh half again what my only Hafner does, so it's no wonder they pull more. Plus, the earliest CV's have those die-cast drivers that seem to get better traction than the later stamped steel drivers. Marx made at least 3 different plastic bodied clockworks, the 198, 400 & 401. The 401 is the most plentiful, but I do prefer the looks of the 198 & 400 better. However, I think you will find that the performance (in regards to length of run) is comparable to the older, tin body Marx windups. The newer plastic body locos don't have the pulling power of the older tin body locos due to their lighter weight - traction is a problem. There are basically two different types of Marx clockwork motors; but performance of the two motors is pretty similar. The newer plastic windups seem to be governed slower, in general.
Concerning my layout's track, the outside loop is Lionel O42 with the center rail removed (it is a clockwork / onboard battery powered layout only) with extra ties cut from pine and painted flat black. The inside loop is original Marx clockwork O27 track with the same extra ties added. Switches are all Marx manual 3 rail units.
Except for the lonely Hafner, all my clockworks are Marx... so I'm intrigued by the European brands. They just seem to be another level of sophistication above my stuff! However, the prices tend to reflect that extra refinement, so I'm content with the Marx windups for now. I am curious about the performance of the European brands... length of run, pulling power, etc. Most of my Marx locos will run about 120' without any cars, with run length decreasing as cars are added. Seeing how the Marx locos were built as toys, I would think that the spring would need to be easier to wind (weaker) than a higher priced, more refined clockwork that was marketed to adults. Just wondering how strong their springs are, and how far they can run on a winding... they sure are nice locomotives!
JamesP wallyworld: James That is an awesome video inasmuch as it never occurred to me to double-head CV's..I know that compared to the Hafner windups I do have, I agree that the Marx CV has the most pulling power but I think Marx made a plastic bodied loco late into their production and I have been looking for one thinking that the lighter body might provide a longer run. Maybe. I saw that windup's are not quite dead yet as Hornby jis selling a windup version of Thomas The Tank. I would love to get a Hornby but the rate of exchange stinks. Your layout is great, I assume the track has additional tiesadded (?) I go the U.K version of Ebay now and then and have yet to find a Walker Fenn... I know my early CV's weigh half again what my only Hafner does, so it's no wonder they pull more. Plus, the earliest CV's have those die-cast drivers that seem to get better traction than the later stamped steel drivers. Marx made at least 3 different plastic bodied clockworks, the 198, 400 & 401. The 401 is the most plentiful, but I do prefer the looks of the 198 & 400 better. However, I think you will find that the performance (in regards to length of run) is comparable to the older, tin body Marx windups. The newer plastic body locos don't have the pulling power of the older tin body locos due to their lighter weight - traction is a problem. There are basically two different types of Marx clockwork motors; but performance of the two motors is pretty similar. The newer plastic windups seem to be governed slower, in general. Concerning my layout's track, the outside loop is Lionel O42 with the center rail removed (it is a clockwork / onboard battery powered layout only) with extra ties cut from pine and painted flat black. The inside loop is original Marx clockwork O27 track with the same extra ties added. Switches are all Marx manual 3 rail units. Except for the lonely Hafner, all my clockworks are Marx... so I'm intrigued by the European brands. They just seem to be another level of sophistication above my stuff! However, the prices tend to reflect that extra refinement, so I'm content with the Marx windups for now. I am curious about the performance of the European brands... length of run, pulling power, etc. Most of my Marx locos will run about 120' without any cars, with run length decreasing as cars are added. Seeing how the Marx locos were built as toys, I would think that the spring would need to be easier to wind (weaker) than a higher priced, more refined clockwork that was marketed to adults. Just wondering how strong their springs are, and how far they can run on a winding... they sure are nice locomotives! - James
wallyworld: James That is an awesome video inasmuch as it never occurred to me to double-head CV's..I know that compared to the Hafner windups I do have, I agree that the Marx CV has the most pulling power but I think Marx made a plastic bodied loco late into their production and I have been looking for one thinking that the lighter body might provide a longer run. Maybe. I saw that windup's are not quite dead yet as Hornby jis selling a windup version of Thomas The Tank. I would love to get a Hornby but the rate of exchange stinks. Your layout is great, I assume the track has additional tiesadded (?) I go the U.K version of Ebay now and then and have yet to find a Walker Fenn...
Check out the Hornby run and the heavy consist.They are over my "practical" budget as well..( sigh) It's interesting that when I checked out the spring regulators used in early gramophones that were put into the Marklin locos they are much like the regulators used on early reciprocating steam engines, consisting of three small spheres that are attached to a shaft that is geared to the spring that counteract free wheeling.
Thanks for the Marx information and that use of three rail track..I would have never thought of it.
watch?v=3YqpcCOF2PQ&feature=related
Guitargeoff I remember that issue - I think the railroad was called the "Crewchester" or something like that. What I thought was cool was how the stations were set in a slight depression so as they coasted in they would come to stop in a bit of a bowl and it would be a smooth stop. When rewound and set off again the loco would have to pull the consist up a slight grade making the departure smooth also. And yes they were governed. That article was from back in the mid 90's I think. I'll see if I can find it. -Geoff
Man, do you have a great memory or what? I hope you find it..I thought for a time, I had imagined it.
Balidas asked whether number-1 gauge is close to standard gauge. It is 1 3/4 inches and is now widely used, as "G" gauge. Standard gauge is 2 1/8 inches, just 1/8-inch more than number-2 gauge. There is a story that Lionel intended to match Maerklin's number-2-gauge trains but misunderstood that company's practice of measuring gauge between the centers of the railheads, which then as now were about 1/8-inch wide.
Bob Nelson
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