The Scientific Toys turnouts are marketed under the EZTec Trade name. You get 6 curved, one 90 degree crossover and 2 right/2 left turnouts. Found the box at Publix just before Christmas.....and am now seeing the stuff on eBay. At Publix it retailed for $9.99......1/2 or less after Christmas.
Also.......if you need extra Scientific/EZTec track you can purchase it from eToys.com. A box of 6 curved, 6 straight and a 90 degree crossover cost $9.99. It's listed in their catalog under G Gauge Expansion Track for Coastal Express Train Set.
Hope this helps,
MOOSIE
This is the final piece of my Walter E. Disney engine, nothing more will be done to it as I have done all the kitbashing I could possibly do. I think it is a good example for anyone who wishes to kitbash a Scientific Toys engine.
Before, the typical Scientific prototype:
Now:
If you remove the bars and switches it is basically a straight track with a rail guide and your trains should go on without trouble. Now that you see the real Walter and the Scientific toys one you can see and compare all the differences. If the box has a picture of the real Walter then yes, the whole set is made by Scientific Toys, it's just that Scientific Toys doesn't put their name on the boxes, New Bright does though. And at the bottom of the locomotive and cars it says Scientific Toys. There was a Walt Disney World Walter set made by New Bright in 1988. When I change Scientific cars to put New Bright trucks wheels I do have to remove the pieces on each side because if you don't, the NB trucks won't turn and it doesn't look right. The NB trucks will couple okay with cars that have Scientific trucks and couplers but note that the NB truck has to have its hook to couple with the Scientific loop. I don't know much about the Echo trains since I have never even held any of them before, but aren't the Scientific trucks similar to the Echo ones? My tip is that if you want to use Echo cars with Scientific cars; you can take the Echo wheels and trucks off and screw on Scientific trucks and wheels on the Echo cars. That way they won't derail at crossovers and switches.
Rei.
I see what you mean about the ST cowcatchers. I had not ever run an ST engine on NB track before tonight. If you removed the bars and switches on the stop switches, they are essentially just straight track now, right?
It's ironic that we're discussing the Disney engine, because I just received one today that I got on ebay just before Christmas. So now I can see the model engine as well as the original (there is a photo on the box). Mine was made by ST, or at least it says so on the bottom of the track, which does look like the rest of my ST track, so I assume the rest of the set was made by ST as well. Although they managed to leave the mfr name off of the box.
Although there are some obvious differences between the ST set and the real engine, I don't think I'll bother rebuilding mine to original design.
When you put NB trucks on the ST cars, you have to cut off a piece on each side of the car to make the truck fit, right? Aside from that, are the cars at the proper elevation for the couplers to mate properly with non-modified cars?
I call it a 'crossover' but I think it's also called a 'crossing track'. No post or lever with the ST crossover, just a straight pass-through going each way. I have not figured out how to post pictures yet. I'll add it as soon as I figure out how.
The flange on ST and NB is tapered, and in addition the thickness of the flange is much smaller than the Echo. The Echo flange is so thick that it will not pass through the NB stop switch, and virtually derails when passing over the NB rerailer. Since I tested the rerailer by hand, I suspect that if I was actually running an Echo car on a running train it probably would derail occasionally.
I have pictures of the Echo wheels and flanges, but again I have not yet figured out how to upload them.
Guy
Thanks for posting back.
It could be that Scientific Toys has just recently made the turn out switches since I honestly have never seen them and this is the first time I hear of them. My layout is all NB track and I have two turn out track switches, one right and one left (NB turn-outs), so that I can back up the trains into two bays that lead to the mainline; the rest of the trains are stored in bays that are not connected to the main line, so the trains are rotated from bay to bay every so often. You know, back in 1989 the New Bright turn-out switches could only be bought with a super deluxe set called the Rolling Thunder. It seems since you talked with ST they will be doing something similar. The modifications that my Walter E. Disney received were to make it look as close as possible to the real Water E. Disney from the Walt Disney World Railroad by using the Scientific Toys prototype set they sell at Disney World. Some things could not be changed like the wheel arrangement and the sand dome/bell arrangement. Today, it looks nothing like how it was out of the box. I will post before/after pictures to show you. I removed the bars and switches on all my New Bright foward/stop/reverse tracks because my two Scientific engines would get traped with their cowcatchers. I began the modification on Walter in April of last year. The smoke stack was changed into a "ballon stack", the drive and pilot wheels were given a more accurate paint scheme, the cylinders were painted with brass bands, the top part of the cowcatcher was painted black, class lamps were added to the somkebox, some brass colored filigrees were added to the headlamp, bars from the smokebox to the top part of the cowcatcher were added, a cross head pump was added, green colored flags common to the Disney engines were added on top of the cowcatcher, brass colored bands were added to the boiler, a brass colored whistle was added to the steam dome, a brake pump was added, realistic gauges and a typical New Bright "furnance" were added to the backhead, the cab interior was painted seafoam green, the cab roof was painted pastel pink, the "coal" was removed from the tender (the real Walter is an oil burner), the 2-axle trucks under the tender were removed and 4-axle New Bright trucks and wheels were added. Is a crossover a crossing track? New Bright made a crossing track that has a post and lever with their Rolling Thunder set. When you say that the Echo cars' wheels aren't tapered, do you mean that they aren't flanged?
They are definitely ST (Scientific Toys) turnouts. In fact, I have been searching eBay daily for any NB (New Bright) stuff and have never seen any turnout switches for NB. I have actually been in contact with ST's corporate office in Hong Kong and they sent me pictures of a "Super Deluxe Track Set" that includes two RH and two LH turnout switches, 6 curves and a crossover. But I have had very limited luck locating them from a dealer and ST has not referred me to anyone (probably a language barrier problem).
I recently got an Echo circus set, but have not checked it out extensively yet. I don't care for their cars, as I mentioned before the wheels are not tapered at the edges, but flat, and the trucks are very cheap. Not interchangeable with anything that I know of. In fact, you have to disassemble the chassis to remove the trucks. Heck, it's a stretch to even call them "trucks". I'll post some pictures soon.
What sort of modifications did you do to the #1 Walter E. Disney?
I agree that the NB engines are more detailed, and yet somehow they seem more like toys to me that the ST. Don't ask me why that is, I can't explain it.
Thanks for pointing out how the smoke works on the NB. I rebuilt one recently and found a tube that was open (it was apparently cut and I did not know it). Now I have an idea where to start looking to reconnect it.
My problem with NB switches is mostly that they seem to be worn out. I like the idea of being able to stop them with the track switch, but the locos tend to be intermittent from bad contacts on the switch board in the loco.
I'm glad that you have found this wonderful activity; I'm sure you will have fun!
Now, as for the track, Are you sure that you are talking about the New Bright tracks? Scientific Toys did not make left and right switchout tracks, just straight and curve. And yes, I urge you to see for yourself that the New Bright tracks are much better. They join better, are more detailed, are compatible with the Scientific trains, and have a more track variety. But let me warn you that finding the New Bright switch out tracks is not easy due to the fact that they were made by New Bright in 1989. You have to look it up on ebay and they aren't always listed. If you're having a hard time with the New Bright loco switches that are located at the bottom of the loco (on the frame) my advice is that you can crack them out so they wont have any contact with the rail switches. I haven't done that with my engines but you can do it. I know many prefer the Scientific engines to New Bright engines, but I personally like the New Brights better because they have more detail and the older New Brights that were made in the 80's and 90's are really neat because they have internal, fan-driven air whistle, metal bell, and some of them have smoke units that when the whistle blows, smoke emits from the stack. The force that makes the smoke emit from the stack is the air from the whistle, a tube conected from the smoke unit to the fan opening. The Scientific engines have a kicker that kicks a pouch and "puffs" the smoke out the stack with each kick. I am curious to know how the Echo engines are since I have never owned one. From what I have seen in pictures their overall body design is similar to a Scientific 2-6-0 mogul but the machinery is similar to the old New Bright's "mechanical" type machinery with air whistles. I only have two Scientific engines in my fleet of ten engines, the other eight are New Bright. One of my Scientifics, the #1 Walter E. Disney underwent vast modifications throughout 2007. The other Scientific, #9 Lionel Holiday Special, is about the same as it was out-of-the-box except that I changed the smoke stack and removed the pilot wheels, making it an 0-6-0. The Scientific engines and the New Bright engines are both G scale but notice that the Scientifics are fairly larger than the New Brights and tend to dwarf the New Bright engines.
I look foward to discussing more.
Great discussion!
I recently got into G gauge, both plastic toys and their more expensive cousins. Personally, I find little difference in my ability to enjoy either type. In fact, the plastic toys may be better in that they are less expensive to obtain, and you're not out as much money if one gets broken. When I get one that is broken, I remove the broken parts and throw them away, and I keep the good parts to repair others.
As for the plastic models, I prefer the Scientific Toys engines more than the New Bright. Mostly because the New Bright seem to have a lot of trouble with the switches. But that may also just be a function of the abuse by former owners. I would prefer that they not even have the track-operated switch.
But the Scientific also offer "puffing" smoke in some models, radio control, and sounds. I will buy various units and piece together the options to make a fully-equipped engine.
I do tend to like the New Bright cars better, though. There is a greater selection available, they have better detail, and even have more realistic dual-axles.
As for the track, someone metioned earlier a better variety of New Bright, but I'm finding the opposite. All I have ever seen from NB is curve, straight, and stop switch tracks. Scientific has curve, straight, 90-degree crossover, and left and right turnout switches. Although I have an incredibly difficult time finding the turnouts. I think that is a regional thing though. The turnouts I have found came from the East coast, so perhaps there is a department store out there that carries the Scientific stuff. But I have a virtually unlimited supply of the curves, straights and crossovers, so let me know if you need some.
Someone also mentioned that NB track is sturdier, but I have not observed that either. They are both fairly fragile and need to be treated with care during assembly and disassembly. What I do like better about the NB track the holes in the ties you can use to fasten them down, although if that's really important you can drill holes in the Scientific track.
As for compatibility of being able to use various vendors trains on various track, I have found that all of the plastic "G gauge" trains will run on almost all track. The exception being Echo Toys. Their wheels are not tapered at the edges and are too wide to pass through the New Bright stop switches. They will pass through Scientific crossovers, but are a little extra noisy.
Just before Christmas I shot video of a Scientific train, a New Bright train, and the Lionel Polar Express all running on a figure 8 track of Scientific Toys track (not all at the same time however). All performed fine.
You should be able to find the older New Bright sets on eBay. They used to be avalible at retail stores years ago, I think New Bright has stoped their production of G-scale train sets. The Scientific Toys sets can still be found at stores around the holiday season though. I personally like New Bright better, they're more detailed and pretty than the Scientifics, The two Scientific engines I have are both kitbashed with different smoke stacks and add-on bachmann details that I found from scrap. I just can't stand the way the Scientifics come out of the box, it's like they're lacking.
My two cents
Thanks, I will see what I can find.
Paul
6 C cells in the tender is all thats needed, if it has a radio control unit, 1 9V battery in the RC unit. You can use rechargable C cells no problem, as long as you have the seperate charger for the batteries. Remember these have no throttle, they are 'go' or 'stop' but they are a good introductory for kids.
I would suggest looking for a Scientific set, I think they are better overall and are more avaliable as new or near new sets.
Have fun with your trains
I am not familiar with these New Bright Trains, Sorry, but this looks like something my grandson would really like. What is the type of battery power? Are they rechargable? I have a New Bright Jeep, and it has its own rechargable battery, and will run a long time on one charge. Sorry to not know much about these yet.
Thanks
vsmith wrote: Theres always MY smoke unit:Insert into loco, light fuse, run like &^%, LOTS of smoke gaurenteed!!!
Theres always MY smoke unit:
Insert into loco, light fuse, run like &^%, LOTS of smoke gaurenteed!!!
HAHA! good one, Victor!
No,
I don't too much care for smoke units, but I am sure someone can help you with that.
Cheese
Nick! :)
I saw those sets on e-bay and they are nice indeed but they don't smoke. I wanted to install a smoke unit in one of my New Bright engines. Would you know anything about installing a smoke unit?
Thanks.
Well,
I don't plan on building my Garden Railway battery powered, however, I would like to have a few New Bright engines and convert them to electricity, like maybe a couple 2-6-2s. I also plan on converting my Scientific 2-6-0 and detailing it, alot.
I just saw on e-bay to New Bright elelctric sets I want alot. One is a Pennsy set with what looks like a 2-6-2 or 2-6-0 and a W&A 4-4-0 set. They are going cheap too.
piercedan wrote: I feel that people should run what they like. It is their RR to do with as they please. I have mostly LGB, but I like their saying that states but they are only toys, we build toys!! If you want realism, you must go to the 1 to 1 scale. Walt Kimble did this, so can others.
I feel that people should run what they like. It is their RR to do with as they please.
I have mostly LGB, but I like their saying that states but they are only toys, we build toys!!
If you want realism, you must go to the 1 to 1 scale. Walt Kimble did this, so can others.
That's what I like to hear! By the way, I think you meant Ward Kimball.
HI REI
First tip find and read everything on the scratch building forum about building structures.
Borrow a book on building Fantasy War games buildings from the library, you will be doing much the same only a lot larger, seems odd but should help with the atmosphere side of things as well
Bound to be some very useful tips there I picked up a few ideas from both.
Now would be a good time to start reading the fairy-tales I mean doing the research so you have an idea of what structures you need or want and the sketches ready for when its time to start building.
Making card mock ups is a good way to get a feel for size and will give you an idea of what will fit and to a much lesser degree if you have captured the feel you want.
Can be done at zero or very low cost for the test structures which beats having to throw out the proper and more complete building because they are not as you wanted them to be.
materials will vary a bit depending on indoor or out door location.
More specific help will come from more than just me when you know what questions you need to ask.
regards John
Hi REI
Ah! the essence you will be needing a resident witch or wizard to make that.
Lots of inspiration around the place for all sorts of things that could be included in your dream
Its beginning to sound like quite a fun project that will be hard to stop once you really get going on it
Sounds like I got the light weight scenery part right if you are moving the trick will be getting the balance between light and resilience you are going to need both.
Sounds like you have a good grip on what you want I await further developments with interest
The Disney castle is based on a German one suggest looking at books on German maybe even French castles for inspirations you might even find a watch tower with a pointy roof which will look the part but be a much smaller and manageable proposition
You will then need 1/2 timbered style buildings these are an easy propersistion to make or other buildings of choice that fit together to form the look you want
The buildings even the small ones can be quite large even small ones like the A frame cottage I am working on pictured in the scratch building section
Just in case you are interested Schleich do a nice king figure and some other courtiers which are about the right size to be useful oh" and a rather nice dragon they will not be cheap but can be found in a good toy shop
Well your choice of prototype is not my cup of tea but what ever you enjoy is the way to go.
I do think with the collection of trains you have its time to build a proper layout where you can go mad with your chosen theme.
A medium to large fairy tale castle for your line is going to be an essential scene setting piece you might get away with a small watch tower if space is tight.
You should be able to create something from blue foam it will be a large piece so so will need to be made from lightweight material just so you can move it from the bench to its resting place
I think you would wise not to stick rigidly to the Disney World Railroad but instead use that as your ruling guide thus allowing for freight operations which I would not expect to be present on the real Disney World Railroad.
That's my two cents worth on it.
Other than take your time to do it properly you will get far more enjoyment and a sense of satisfaction that can only come from a job well done.
HAVE FUN that's the most important thing.
Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month