I finally got a decoder installed in my Walthers doodlebug and I am quite happy with how it runs. I intended to equip it with a sound decoder but couldn't find a space for the speaker that wouldn't be visible throught the windows so I went with a basic Digitrax DH126. I intend to run it with a trailer coach which is a Rivarossi 60'. Both have been lettered for my shortline. I was going to add a diaphraghm to the rear of the doodlebug but when I looked at it, it doesn't appear to be the kind of door that would take a diaphragm. In fact I'm not even sure it is a door at all. Since these doodlebugs often ran stand alone, would they normally have a rear door and if so, would it be prototypical to have a diaphragm?
My other question has to do with speed. Even at full throttle, it runs at what I would call a leisurely pace. That's just fine for my shortline which runs up grade and then down to its terminus with lots of turns. It did get me wondering as to what the top speed of a gas electric doodlebug would be. When I tried to google for the answer, all my hits were for a doodlebug mini-bike.
I just looked through my copy of Edmund Keilty's "Doodlebug Country". Combining that with Great Northern diagrams for their gas-electrics, I'll say:
Yes, there was a door.
For the one shot I found showing the connection between the passenger sections of a C&O gas electric and its trailer, there were diaphragms.
I suspect that diaphragms were removed or never placed when a particular gas electric that had a passenger section DID NOT haul a passenger trailer.
Pretty generally, there were diaphragms placed wherever passengers went between cars. If they did not, or it was not allowed, there was no need.
For your top speed question, I did some calculations based on data from the GN diagrams. The top speed for a gas-electric very much like the Walthers was 65 MPH.
I will add that GN's gas-electrics mostly ran through prairie country. Not a lot of curves or hills. The gearing might be different for a car that ran through hilly country. For that, I can imagine using gearing that might top out at about 50 MPH. I don't think they could get gearing that would go much slower.
Ed
Diaphragms on doodlebugs may not be necessary. Yes, some railroads may have chosen to install them, but most simply used a spring loaded buffer plate to provide footing and, three or four safety chains on each side of the passageway between cars.
My reasoning comes from having ridden Budd RDCs on the Boston and Maine, New York Central, and New Haven. None had diaphragms and were used in high density commuter service. Until the coming of the RDC, the B&M was still using open end, wooden cars in commuter service. No diaphragms, into the 1950s. Over on the NYC they used steel commuter coaches with enclosed vestibules, but no diaphragms-just safety chains and buffer plates, in the Boston area.
In the greater New York City area the New Haven, New York Central, Long Island, the mighty Pennsylvania and the Erie-Lackawanna, all ran MU cars that didn't have diaphragms. The Erie-Lackawanna even had some former Lackawanna steel coaches that were open vestibule. No doors, no diaphragms-just you and the breeze, as in western movies. These were commuter cars as well, known as "Boontons" or "Wyatt Earps". Many were acquired by museums and tourist train operators, for obvious reasons.
All of this to say, the diaphragm was a maintenance headache that could be dispensed with on trains where there was no incentive for passengers to roam the consist while the train was in motion. No diner, no bar, no dome. Nothing. You took a seat and remained in it until your stop came. These were not tourist trains that were considered part of the entertainment, they were just a way to get from here to there.
In hostile climes up north, a diaphragm might be a wise decision. I believe NP may have used them in the Dakotas and, in the winter time, its obvious, why.
Based on the two replies, it seems adding a diaphragm is optional. I know the "it's your railroad" adage but I don't like to fall back on that unless what I do is prototypical. If it might have been done on the prototype, that's good enough for me.
Do you know which sound decoder you want to use? I have a couple doodlebugs I want to equip with sound, but don't know which decoder to use.
These should be gas electric, not diesel electric.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Mark,
I chose the "Dual Whitcomb" from the Soundtraxx "Baldwin and others" decoder. I think it would be pretty close to the twin gas engines that were in my GN gas-electric.
ESU-Loksound has a Galloping Goose sound that might work for a single gasoline engine.
You can "test drive" these various sounds and see which you like. One other nice thing about the ESU is that you can change to a different sound later, if a better one comes up.
I'll mention that a majority of GN's motorcars were diesel powered, by 1952 anyway. So, if one is freelancing, the choices are pretty wide. Also, there were single engines and dual engines.
Pruitt Do you know which sound decoder you want to use? I have a couple doodlebugs I want to equip with sound, but don't know which decoder to use. These should be gas electric, not diesel electric.
I attempt to install a Digitrax DGTSDH166D HO 8 Bit Sound Decoder, Motor 6-Functions 1A which comes with a prewired speaker. It has a CV that allows you to select from a generic steam or generic diesel sound. I mainly wanted a bell and a horn and since I don't really know what a doodlebug sounds like, a generic diesel sound would have worked for me.
If you want an authentic doodlebug sound, you might check with Tony's Train Exchange. They sell LokSound decoders with authentic sounds pre-programmed for a wide variety of locos. I don't know if they offer a doodlebug programmed decoder. TCS might do the same for the WOW Sound decoder.
I installed my decoder in the baggage/express compartment and frosted the windows using Scotch tape but that left the passenger compartment for the speaker and wires so I opted to just go with a basic non-sound decoder. After installing it, I got the idea that I might have been able to attach the speaker and wire to the underside of the roof. I might revisit that someday but for now I'm happy with my non-sound doodlebug.
The usual gas (and distillate) engines put in these cars would have a distinctive exhaust note with plenty of variation, probably including some rich backfiring on trailing throttle. There are some of these cars running with original engines, and sound clips either from those cars or from preserved engines might be used.
Keilty has a pretty good list of replacement Diesel engines, from which you could look around for preserved examples.
I know I'm going to have fun finding sound clips for a large Superior diesel, which is what Ingalls was planning to use in their 2000hp high-speed passenger locomotive...