Temp

[two tone]

Hi folks I would value your comments on,   What is the max tempreture that you would run a loco in?  My locos are all bachmann the reason for this is that thier service dept is only 45 mins from me should I need to get one serviced.

[FJ and G]

I don't run my trains when it's over about 80 degrees as I hate the heat. I do run them in blizzard conditions and rain, however, as I enjoy both.

But I think you're getting at overheating the engines. I think it has to do with the amount of time you run them and the load. My advice would be to run the heck out of the trains while they're still in warranty so you know the limit (within reason of course).

[Curmudgeon]

Service them yourself, or be prepared for failure.

You did not specify models, but most come with comprehensive lubrication instructions.

I have never failed to run, even at over 100F.

An acquaintance stores his in Phoenix in a plastic shed at 116F.

The batteries did not like it (recovered just fine when cool), but the loco ran fine.

Plastics and heat, over long periods of time, do not play well together.

Watch the roofs on some of your buildings to confirm.

 

TOC

[EMPIRE II LINE]

 

Seldom, but every once in a great while, I'll run'em in 90 deg. plus, and at times I leave them out on display in that same heat and direct sun, have noticed some of the cars fading though, but I guess that adds to the realism, to some extent. I'm in Hurricane Alley central Florida....

Byron    

[altterrain]

Its never too hot, especially when you have a nice shady spot with a big four speed fan to watch your trains run.

 

Its routinely in the 90's here mid summer and I have not had a problem.

 -Brian 

[pimanjc]

Two years ago, the local Garden Tour day had temperatures of 105F!  Although my layout fortunately is heavily shaded, it was miserable.  After one of my Aristo 27mhz trackside TEs, mounted inside a tender [with the batteries] overheated and shut down for about 15min., I cut back the number of cars I was pulling behind the Mikado to 16 cars.   Thereafter, no more train problems. I became nearly heat exhausted and dehydrated.    Two days later, I was still feeling the effects.

JimC.

[cacole]

There was a message posted here a couple of years ago by some people in Phoenix, Arizona who wrote that their rail gets so hot it can melt plastic wheels, so they are evidentally running their trains in 100 degree plus temperatures with no adverse effects on the engines.

Overloading a motor by trying to pull a long train is going to be more harmful to a motor than ambient air temperature.

[rpc7271]

I run in the heat (115 degrees) in Mesa, Az. all the time when necessary. I use battery and Airwire but all my engines have fans installed in them to move the air across the receivers. I don't leave the engines out in the heat when not running just in case. (To help keep battery life longer) I haven't noticed much difference in run time between the hot and cool weather, but then I only run in the heat an hour or 2. I unually try to run in the morning when it is only 95. I don't know about plastic wheels "melting" They will soften a bit and it does seem that the rails get dirtier than usual. I do run roller bearing trucks with metal wheels because they run better with less resistance so I can pull more cars. I am very careful about picking up something metal after it has been in the sun for a while. Always get a hot shower in the summer whether you want it or not!

[Anonymous]

I am drafting plans and testing for water cooled system for several of my trains.

Noticed one said melted the "plastic" wheels off......bet the got steel ones.

[FJ and G]

It's ridiculously hot outside here in N. Va.. 111 heat index and 101. BB the beagle caught and ate a rabbit in the backyard, despite heat

 

 

[Anonymous]

It's ridiculously hot outside here in N. Va.. 111 heat index and 101. BB the beagle caught and ate a rabbit in the backyard, despite heat

 

 

Now for BB Da Beagle on 94.5 the Buzz - Bush, Everything Zen off there Sixteen Stone CD

Pushing 105 - 109 here in Houston, Tx. Myself I would service them, unless you don't know how.

[TheJoat]

It's ridiculously hot outside here in N. Va.. 111 heat index and 101. BB the beagle caught and ate a rabbit in the backyard, despite heat

Sounds like BB could be due for a visit from the barf fairy... Peanut the beagle can't be trusted outside - everything looks too much like food to her.

[FJ and G]

Bruce,

 

Southern dogs eat grits