The Walthers flyer arrived today (yay), and among other things indicated the HO Scale BLI Trackmobile is back in stock (guess a container-full turned up at the docks or something).Since I missed these the first time, and I guess they've been around for 4 years now, who around here has one and what do you think about it? Especially indicate any issues (since it looks nice, I need to know what goes wrong) - I do understand it has limited hauling capacity, but then again so does the prototype (I'd plan 2 modern cars max).
They actually run quite good - However, like anything '4 wheel' the electrucal pickup is 'iffy' through switches. If you plan to use one to switch that elevator or dock area, make sure you switches have powered frogs and that your track is 'clean'!
They will pull maybe 3-4 grain hoppers at most.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I don't actually own one of these myself [they didn't exist in 1971] but I found an excellent review on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq5YSStrQ18
-Ken in Maryland (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)
CSX_road_slug I don't actually own one of these myself [they didn't exist in 1971]
I don't actually own one of these myself [they didn't exist in 1971]
Yup, Trackmobiles have been around for a long time. But they have changed greatly over the years to the modern design represented by the BLI model. Even the critter fanatics I think would have a hard time making an operating model of one of the early prototypes.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I have had one that my wife gave me, when BLI first brought them out. Still runs steady, though it will never win a speed contest with a Heisler. Very good on tight radius curves, and looks good doing work that a full size switcher might be too much machine. Usually let the switch engine bring the cars to be spotted to the nearest switch lead, then use the track mobile for the delivery/pickup work. If one fits your scheme and budget, go a ahead and get one.
Don H.
"Even the critter fanatics I think would have a hard time making an operating model of one of the early prototypes."
I don't know Randy - you might get Darth Santa Fe's juices flowing when you make a statement like that!
You are right. It would be a challenge!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Still waiting for the sound version!!!!!!!
Regards Colin Cambridge U.K.
CPPedler Still waiting for the sound version!!!!!!! Regards Colin Cambridge U.K.
At first, I wanted one, but.......I can buy a Kato for the same price, and sometimes even cheaper. Than I heard first hand from a couple of guys that have them, and how crappy they run in a yard situation, over lots of switches. I could have bought his for $45. I've changed my mind......don't need one of those $80 to $110 track mobile 4 wheeled whatever.
Good luck!
Mike.
My You Tube
hon30critter "Even the critter fanatics I think would have a hard time making an operating model of one of the early prototypes." I don't know Randy - you might get Darth Santa Fe's juices flowing when you make a statement like that! You are right. It would be a challenge! Dave
shhh! Don't give away my tactics.
Thanks for the input so far. I understand the usual limitations.
mbinsewiAt first, I wanted one, but.......I can buy a Kato for the same price, and sometimes even cheaper. Than I heard first hand from a couple of guys that have them, and how crappy they run in a yard situation, over lots of switches.
Old school (1960s) Rail Car movers look like beefed up modified farm tractors with cabs to me (they probably were) - for some reason I thought that Lionel had made such a model in O gauge.
cacole CPPedler Still waiting for the sound version!!!!!!! Regards Colin Cambridge U.K. Is that your way of saying you'll never buy one -- a sound version would probably be out of the question because there's no room anywhere for a speaker.
Well actually I do have one and it runs quite well, over powered frogs not so clever on dead frogs but that is to be expected, however regarding the sound remark, I can remember my suppler here in U.K. saying that I would not get a speaker into a Proto 2K SW 9 back in 2002 but I did and not long after BLI was producing switchers with sound.
I'm not suggesting that it would be easy or anytime soon but I think it will be done nothing is impossible, there is already sound for N gauge.
Regards Colin Cambridge U.K
chutton01Also, not sure what you mean by Kato? A SW class switcher?
Kato is a manufacturer of excellent quality locos. I could buy a new, DCC equiped, Kato GP or SD, or a switcher, for what a BLI Trackmobile would cost, and compared to a Trackmobile, as I know them, a Kato loco would run flawlessly, and I would get more use out of it.
I've seen the older car movers, and yes, they look like farm tractors. I've also seen car movers that look like the units that trucking companies use as "yard trailer movers" only equiped with small "roadrailer" type wheels for use on the tracks. I've also seen car movers that were basically big rubber tired front end loaders. Years ago, the local co-op used to use a front end loader to move hoppers that had fertilizer in them. Nothing fancy, they chained the car to the bucket for pulling, and tipped the bucket a little for pushing against the coupler, with the chain still attached so it wouldn't get away from them, even though they were on flat level tracks. The tracks were also surrounded by pavement, so it was easier to get around.
My experience around industries that have enough cars that need constant moving, such as the paper industry or scrap metal yards, all I've seen is old EMD's and Alco's. I'm sure there are plenty of big industries that use trackmobiles. I have seen the front end loader method at one scrap dealer.
If your switches are powered correctly, and it's a trackmobile you want or need, than trackmobile it is! Maybe you could check out the electrical pick-up on the trackmobile, see how it's configured, and do the old Athearn trick of soldering a small bronze wire to the truck pick-up area, that rubs against the back of the wheels, just for extra contact. You can do this to an Athearn switcher, and it will crawl across anything, as long as at least one wheel on each side is making contact to the track. I did this to my Athearn GP9, and will crawl over any of the old used brass #4 switches that I used in my yard and transloading area.
So, good luck with the trackmobile! For me personally, I would spend the money on a quality road loco.
Mine had too much oil on the wheels and contacts to run correctly of the box. Did some cleaning and runs much better. I have a DCC model and had to set CV29 to 4 so it would run both DCC and DC. The prototypes suffer from the same lightweight problem as the model. The prototypes have couplers mounted on hydraulic pistons that lift the coupled car slightly. This shifts some of the car weight to the trackmobile and gives it much better traction. I use the fixed coupler on the "front" end and set a weighted car on it, lifting it slightly. Like the prototype it pulls much better. Five to six cars is not a problem. Like others have said powered frogs are needed.
Hi CPPedler.
I had three modified by a profesiomal guy in Perth they worked a treat. Albeit 4 wheels to the track connection is a drana. Unfortueately he has moved back to the States!