Ogaugeoverlord wrote:As I mentioned on another thread on this topic, we have one of the WM Challengers in the workshop and the drawbar is of supreme interest. While anything is possible in a crash, I'm not sure I can envision the drawbar hitting a center rail, but most derailments are unique. I'll try to stage some creative derailments to see what happens ...
Bob, does this mean you are going to take a propane blow torch and heat the draw-bar until it melts and drags on the center rail, then run the engine off of the end of the track onto the concrete floor a dozen times, and then evaluate the performance of the draw-bar while it is submerged in dry ice and the engine is running backwards on out-of-gauge track through a tunnel in a room with a temperature of 150 degrees pulling 500 overloaded hopper cars with bent wheels?
Anything less, and I will be unable to accept your findings due to your lack of testing experience of toy trains.
In all seriousness, I believe if the part is even slightly prone to breakage, it would be great to know the availability and cost of a replacement part. I also think it is a neat idea and I foresee that this connection will over time look more and more like the water line, coal auger and draw bar connection as the practise is refined.
In fact, an add on industry may be developing here. Just think if every car had an electronic connection concelled as an air hose. This would mean that each car could have electronic couplers. A special command control with computer on board car could be in the consist that sends special signals to other operating cars in the consist.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
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
That engine should be sent to CSXT30s Extensive Advanced Technological Testing Services Unincorporated, right here in Conneaut, Ohio !! Oh, & send a new CTT delivery truck also for testing !!
Thanks, John
Bob Keller
MITCH,
I have the one that Lionel made and it is sweet. Lionmaster that runs on 0-31.
laz57
LAZ
That Western Maryland Challenger really makes my heart go thumpity thump. I know it takes larger than 0-31 to run so sadly it will not grace my layout.
Mitch
Bob Mitchell Gettysburg, PA TCA # 98-47956 LCCA# RM22839
GIZ,
I got this update from my hobby guy, have to wait till YORK to ask MIKE?
I just got one at the hooby shop I work at. It is a great piece, hooks up real easy and looks great with out the wire. Engine has an awsome sound and new cab chatter, they actually have a conversation, it's a beautiful piece. So naturally I had to take one for myself. What's one more engine and like the old saying "You can never have enough trains."
Ralph, Trains and Lanes Hobbies
Don U. TCA 73-5735
Looking at the picture how can this composite fiberglass bend like this ?
I would like to see one in person!
I'm an MTH fan, but, what will happen in a derailment, if the electrical contacts on the bottom of the "Draw Bar" should hit the center third rail with 18 volts AC on it. Should that area be protected? Can the "Conducting type Draw Bar" bend 90% in ALL directions?
I wonder why the Wire Teather faces up, when, if it faced down it would look like a water line.
Extensive testing was done on the design prior to market introduction. Never once did the drawbar break during these tests.
Were any tests run on the material after it starts to age harden? Were there any changes to the material physical property following repeated heat up/cool down cycles? How easy is it to repalce the drawar when it does fail (which it will)?
Thought YUZ GIZ would be interested in this....
March 7, 2007 - M.T.H. Electric Trains has begun shipping the first of its Premier Line O Gauge series of Union Pacific Heritage Diesel Sets celebrating the history of the Union Pacific Railroad. Comprised of the six primary heritage railroads consumed by Union Pacific over the past 100 years as well as a U.P. themed set, the series was announced late last summer and scheduled to begin shipping in late January 2007.
The first of the seven roadname series, Union Pacific, will begin arriving at your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer in the next few days. Each set includes a Premier Line SD70ACe diesel locomotive, a 50' Hi-Cube Box Car and an Extended Vision caboose each in matching livery.
In addition to the long list of standard features found on M.T.H.'s Premier Line diesel locomotives and rolling stock, each of the Heritage Series locomotives will benefit from the following:
Item No. 20-2774-1 Union Pacific MSRP: $499.95 Delivery: IN-STOCK
Following the Union Pacific set consumers can expect the other six schemes to appear over the next four months:
Item No. 20-2771-1 Missouri Pacific MSRP: $499.95 Delivery: April 2007
Item No. 20-2775-1 Western Pacific MSRP: $499.95 Delivery: April 2007
Item No. 20-2772-1 Katy MSRP: $499.95 Delivery: May 2007
Item No. 20-2770-1 Denver Rio Grande Western MSRP: $499.95 Delivery: May 2007
Item No. 20-2769-1 Chicago NorthWestern MSRP: $499.95 Delivery: June 2007
Item No. 20-2773-1 Southern Pacific MSRP: $499.95 Delivery: July 2007
Scale wheel, 2-rail fans can also order the locomotives by themselves without box cars and caboose. Delivery of the scale wheeled versions will follow later this Spring.
Scale Wheeled, 2-Rail Models
Item No. 20-2774-2 Union Pacific MSRP: $449.95
Item No. 20-2771-2 Missouri Pacific MSRP: $449.95
Item No. 20-2775-2 Western Pacific MSRP: $449.95
Item No. 20-2772-2 Katy MSRP: $449.95
Item No. 20-2770-2 Denver Rio Grande Western MSRP: $449.95
Item No. 20-2769-2 Chicago NorthWestern MSRP: $449.95
Item No. 20-2773-2 Southern Pacific MSRP: $449.95
Don't miss out on these exciting sets as they're sure to sell out quickly. Orders should be placed with your local or favorite M.T.H. Authorized Retailer. You can find your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer by CLICKING HERE.
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Premier Line Wireless Drawbar FAQ's
March 7, 2007 - Since being introduced on the Premier Line O Gauge Western Maryland 4-6-6-4 Challenger last month, we've noticed a number of postings on various chat boards regarding the drawbar's material, design and durability. While new innovations will always elicit comments from users, we thought it might be helpful to address the subjects with a short list of frequently asked questions and answers:
What material is the drawbar made from?
Why is the drawbar constructed from fiberglass instead of metal?
Will the stress of hauling a tender and a 25+ load of trailing cars cause the drawbar to break?
Is the wireless drawbar easier to attach than the 10-pin wire harness?
Which locomotives will come equipped with the new wireless drawbar?
More about the Premier Line Western Maryland Challenger
Available in two cab numbers in Western Maryland livery, the M-2 has also been released in Baltimore & Ohio livery as well as Southern livery. Like most M.T.H. Premier Line steam engines, each version is outfitted with Proto-Sound 2.0, featuring synchronized puffing smoke and locomotive speed control for Unprecedented low-speed operation.
NORFOLK & WESTERN
Item No. 20-3241-1 Norfolk & Western 4-6-6-4 M-2 Challenger Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 2.0 (Hi-Rail Wheels)
Item No. 20-3242-1 Norfolk & Western 4-6-6-4 M-2 Challenger Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 2.0 (Hi-Rail Wheels)
BALTIMORE & OHIO
Item No. 20-3243-1 Baltimore & Ohio 4-6-6-4 M-2 Challenger Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 2.0 (Hi-Rail Wheels)
SOUTHERN
Item No. 20-3244-1 Southern 4-6-6-4 M-2 Challenger Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 2.0 (Hi-Rail Wheels)
Don't miss out on these limited edition locomotives by waiting too long. Each is in-stock now and can be ordered from any local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.
M.T.H. Show Schedule For Week of March 11, 2007
March 7, 2007 - M.T.H. Electric Trains will be attending the World's Greatest Hobby Show in Fort Worth, Texas next weekend, March 17 & 18 at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
Show attendees in the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area can listen and ask M.T.H. executives questions about the M.T.H. product line, company direction and future plans as well as see product demonstrations. You can find all the details about the show by CLICKING HERE.
You can find a list of all the M.T.H. shows we will be attending over the next few months by CLICKING HERE.
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