i found a new system at ram hobbys in chicago for a very decent price and they have a lot of older stuff there. the problem is that the instructions are rather vague and i was wondering from experience if anyone has had resistance from materials or paint as shown on the drive wire. i am running this from the steel mill to whiting arco and the chemical factory in between. thanks in advance jfb.
I've never used one, but I have seen this at shows and talked to the exhibitors.
The cars track along a simple steel wire which can be buried in plaster pavement. The wire does not carry power. The cars have rechargable batteries.
They have lots of gadgets for stopping the cars at traffic lights and railroad crossings, or park-and-delay circuits.
The vehicles are expensive and tend to look more European than American.
Miniature Wonderland makes extensive use of this. You may be able to see it in action online.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
jfb i found a new system at ram hobbys in chicago for a very decent price and they have a lot of older stuff there. the problem is that the instructions are rather vague and i was wondering from experience if anyone has had resistance from materials or paint as shown on the drive wire. i am running this from the steel mill to whiting arco and the chemical factory in between. thanks in advance jfb.
Slightly off topic, but when were you last in Rams? I've never been there and tried to visit one day last year during business hours but it appeared to be closed.
Nothing to offer on the Faller vehicle system other than the examples I've seen videos of look splendid. Something tells me however, that HO RC is -or will shortly- be a better option. The selection isn't as big as Faller, but the price is similar when compared to the cost of the layout infrastruture.
However, if you've found a good deal and have a specific use for the Faller system, it is a proven solution.
Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad for Chicago Trainspotting and Budget Model Railroading.
i was there 3 weeks ago on a saturday.
There is another system out that has a plastic chain under the road that moves. Strong magnets on both the track and vehicle make the connection. The vehicles arent powered and only need a magnet. So any vehicle can be used. The chain is powered. I forget who makes it. It has been on a couple videos now. LukeTowan being one
of them
Wolf
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
NVSRR There is another system out that has a plastic chain under the road that moves. Strong magnets on both the track and vehicle make the connection. The vehicles arent powered and only need a magnet. So any vehicle can be used. The chain is powered. I forget who makes it. It has been on a couple videos now. LukeTowan being one
I looked back for the Luke Towan video NVSRR referenced and it appear’s he used the Magnorail system. In the description of Luke’s video was this website, https://www.magnorailoz.com.au/. This appear to be the Australian disrabuter. A google search reveals this as this, https://www.magnorail.com/en, as the company that makes the system. There does not appear to be a US distributer, I think the company is either British or based somewhere in Europe, I can’t tell.
To me this appears to be a better system that the Faller system, as the ”track” is hidden, and the motor is not contained in a vehicle but in the track. However the Faller system may be easier to find in the US, I’m not sure.
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
Magnorail and the Faller Car System are two completely different "beasts" The French Magnorail System is a hidden chain, to which vehicles or even model bicycles are attached via magnets. The vehicles don´t need any drive, so the system can be employed to move boats on a river or a lake. The Faller Car system need self-propelled vehicles, equipped with a drive unit.
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
jfb i was there 3 weeks ago on a saturday.
Thanks for that!
I'll plan a trip to the north side soon. I'm spoiled by the massive supply of NOS kits at Zientek, but I've heard rumors that RAM is a treasure hunters paridise too.
i need a little more info. I have properly sized roof shingles as filler in the track that's just about even with the rail tops.. Index to know will train operations be affected or fallerled vehicle operations.
I believe Faller makes grade crossings. These require smooth surfaces, and you must have that buried steel wire beneath the travel path to guide the vehicles. I don't know if the vehicles can coast across the space between the rails and re-acquire the wire on the other side, or if you need a wire between the rails, too.
They do have electronics to halt vehicles at crossings and wait for trains to pass.
I am using toy train blocks with grooves to cure the warpage issue with the board. I need to know if my filler will stop the trains it is about 3/32above the track. I also need to know how to straight in the guide wire it came wound up.
Tinplate Toddler Magnorail and the Faller Car System are two completely different "beasts" The French Magnorail System is a hidden chain, to which vehicles or even model bicycles are attached via magnets. The vehicles don´t need any drive, so the system can be employed to move boats on a river or a lake. The Faller Car system need self-propelled vehicles, equipped with a drive unit.
Simon