Magnetic Drivers

[Anonymous]

It seems that most of the manufacturers use traction tires on their steam locomotives to increase the tractive force. This is all right, unless the tires wear out, in which case, you have to replace them. Some steam locomotives, especially in N-scale do not have enough room under the shell to add extra weight and just putting a lead weight anywhere on the outside of the shell is ridiculous. If there were detailing parts available that were made of lead, they might add to the weight, but not significantly and I don't believe they'd look all that good anyway. Lead's too soft.

When I got my first Lionel train set, the model came in two configurations. The model 2018, which is what I got, and the model 2037, which had magnetic driver wheels. Lionel's contention was that the magnetic force would add to the traction. In fact, they called it Magnetraction and charged ten bucks more for the set. That was the only difference between the 2018 and the 2037.

Is it feasible for steam locomotives to have magnetic drivers? I don't think it would cause a problem with the operation of the engine, and certainly shouldn't be a problem with the motor. Perhaps the magnetic force isn't great enough to make that much of a difference?

Just wondering, I can't put traction tires on my MP 4-6-2 Pacific, it's not designed for them. I wonder if maybe the manufacturers have considered magnets. All the power in the motor doesn't make a difference if you can't grip the rails to use that power.

[Anonymous]

Tri-ang also used magnetic drivers - they called it "Magnadhesion". Unfortunately, modern rails are made from nickel-silver, which isn't magnetic, therefore magnetic drivers wouldn't work. In the old days, steel track was used, which worked with magnetic drivers but had two problems, a tendency to get dirty very quickly and also an inclination to rusting!

[ndbprr]

steel track was used, which worked with magnetic drivers but had two problems, a tendency to get dirty very quickly and also an inclination to rusting!

That's what the real railroads say after it rains. Womder if they would be interested in trying magnetraction! :-)

[Anonymous]

[:I] Silly me! I know that rails are made of nickel-silver. I should have realized that they aren't necessarily magnetic. Funny thing, alnico magnets (an alloy of aluminum, nickel, and cobalt) seem to be very powerful.

I always thought nickel had magnetic properties, but only if it was in certain alloys. Unfortunately, nickel-silver isn't one of those alloys.

Thanks!

[bcammack]

I suppose it might be possible, with considerable effort, to lay a thin, narrow sheet of steel directly under the ties and ballast everywhere (or at least on grades where it would matter the most) and then install some small, extremely powerful neodynium magnets like www.allelectronics.com sells mid-point of the drivers. This would give the locomotive "virtual weight" and improve its traction coefficient.

Just a "blue sky" idea.

[ndbprr]

And run the train past your hard drive too :-)

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by joekc6nlx

......alnico magnets (an alloy of aluminum, nickel, and cobalt) seem to be very powerful.......

They are nothing compared with SmCo or NdFeB.........