Dummy Locomotives

[BluPete]

Thanks Crummy!, for the hassle I guess it is just as well to have extra pulling power of several engines. only thing would be if i found some dead used locos then it would make sense. I will be back with more questions as i ddevelop my plan of attack, and submit  plans to the Checkbook Holder. Thanks , Pete

[Curmudgeon]

This question comes up periodically.

Long ago, I questioned one of the major manufacturers (diseasemals was specific) as to why no dummies.

He explained, in great detail, the cost to do so.

Make a run of everything without motors....model, road names, different road numbers...boxes....dealers would have to order and stock/store twice as much...and the cost  (when one PRC manufacturer was paying 23 cents for Mabuchi motors) would be....46 cents saving for a double motor unit.

Since arrrggghhhhisto isn't around, buy USA, and if 4-wheel blocks, simply pull the motors and retain.

6-wheel blocks a bit more difficult, but do-able.

TOC

[BluPete]

thanks Tom, i guess it makes more sense to have any engines powered in this scale. As I am new and still in the far planning stages I am looking to forums like this one to answer a lot of questions. Maybe next spring when the local club holds their open house I can get some more of these burning newbie questions answered.

[ttrigg]

I cannot speak for the deisel-electric guys, but as a steamer when i have a consist long enough to want a second engine it needs to be a powered unit. On the flip side Large Scale lends itself eaisly to scratch building dummy B-Units. Many of the local train shows have a few vendors selling used or damaged equipment. An execelent source for kit-bashing. One of the biggest drawing cards for Large Scale is the "I built this" attitude of many of us.

[BluPete]

since I am new to this hobby and this may have been covered, why there are no dummy locomotives? in smaller scale you could always get them, and if they made them in G scale I have not seen any. I would be a less expensive way to make your GRR look "bigger" without having the expense. Also if you had 2 locos you could use the dummy as a battery carrier(if you use it) and with the lack of electric motors inside the shell, you could add larger better sounding speakers for a thumping bass, well maybe a little more deeper sound. Thanks, Pete.