K-line Plymouth Switcher

[Anonymous]

Has anyone read or purchased one of the new K-line Plymouth Switchers? I am looking for an inexpensive switcher to shuffle cars around in my work siding and ran across this at a train show. My main concern is how it runs over 0-Gauge switches. Any feedback would be appreciated.

[bigwally]

Great little locos. Good pullers and they smoke like chimneys. The class lights are really sharp too. I've had no trouble going over switches.

Might also suggest an RMT Beep, as they are cheaper with more road names, but they do occasionally have some trouble on some switches. For reference, the pickups on the Plymouth are roughly 1/2" to 3/4" farther apart, which seems to keep the Plymouth rolling over switches better than the Beep.

Hope this helps!

bigwally

[Anonymous]

THE LIL' PLYMOUTHS ARE GREAT AND THEY TAKE OFF,MIGHT SUGGEST THAT THE LIONEL 0-6-0 DOCKSIDE IS ALSO GOOD TO OWN BUT BE CAREFUL THEY ROCKET DOWN THE TRACKS AND ARE RECKLESS.

[tmcc man]

I plan on buying 2 or 3. one in reading, prr,and strasburg. i believe there was a review, and i thnk it got a good review. I am mainly saving for my garden railway, and i am broke because of the sound i just put in my new large scale RS3

[Anonymous]

I have half a dozen K-Line Plymouths and think they are great! Ditto for the couple of Lionel 0-6-0 Docksides that I have, and my large assortment of RMT BEEPs. Any of these affordable and very nice locomotives will do the job for you, although I'm particularly fond of the Plymouth.

I use Atlas track and switches, and have no problems with either of those locomotives on that track system.

I also have no problem whatsoever operating them at realistically slow speeds (the ONLY way I run my trains), so am not sure about what problem alexbutner may be experiencing.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know if there's a limit to the number of cars that a Plymouth Switcher can pull? I have the Reading one, with 6 ore cars, and I want to get more ore cars and run a longer train. Can it pull 12 of those cars?
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[Anonymous]

I have no idea what the train length/number of cars limit might be. I suppose it depends on the type of cars and their weight. I have several of the K-Line ore car sets, and although I've never tried it, my guess is that the Plymouth could probably handle 10 or more of those very small and free-rolling cars without any problem (on level track). Give it a try yourself. If the locomotive's wheels tend to slip and spin when you're just starting out, you probably have reached the limit.

[SPFan]

We just did some testing on our club layout which uses Gargraves track and Ross switches. The Plymouth will stall over a conventional switch unless both outside rails are connected. If you use one rail disconnected to actuate signals or accessories you might have problems. Also it will stall (as will many larger locos) over the Ross double slip switches unless they are wired with the advanced relay option (read $$$$$$) .
As for pulling power I have pulled 12 modern 6464 cars around an 031 oval no problem. It may pull more on straight track.

Pete

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Also it will stall (as will many larger locos) over the Ross double slip switches unless they are wired with the advanced relay option (read $$$$$$) .

SPFan says that the advanced relay option for the Ross switches is "(read $$$$$$)" Huh? What do you mean?

The Z Stuff DZ-1008 Relay Module is only $10.65 As the web site says,
"A fast and easy way to simplify electrical hook-ups. Unit plugs directly into DZ-1000 to control track power and provides a Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT) relay output capable of handling up to 10 amps. Relay changes automatically when switch machine is thrown manually or by remote control. Can also be used with DZ-1011 Block Signal Detectors to run all types of accessories."

http://www.z-stuff.net/DZ-1008.htm

$10.65 is not "$$$$$$"

[SPFan]

That mod does alone does not switch the power on the common rails within the switch. The relays required to switch those 4 rails using Ross's suggested relays are $40 per switch. Their function is to switch the outside rail that is being crossed over from common to hot. Given the intial cost of the switch plus switch motors and relays to transfer block power it amounts to $$$$$. Plus the DZ2500s may not have sufficient drive current to drive these additional relays so current amplifiers (OK a few transistors) may have to be added.

Pete

[webenda]

Both of my K-line Plymouth Switchers have trouble with one of four O-22 switches. They go through the points into the curve without slowing down, but slow down moving through the curve towards the points. I cannot see any difference between that switch and the other three. My other locomotives do not slow down moving through the switch. Maybe the switch needs a flange oiler.

[Anonymous]

I use a DZ-1008 relay ($10.65) for my Ross double cross over to allow the rails to alternate between being powered and ground. It works well. Ir is easy to hook up and it allows the engines to float through the switch without trouble. The center diamond is also powered but it is not controlled by the relay (it does not need to be).