Does anyone have any expierience with this acrylic track inspection car? I have a few trouble spots on my layout that I have not been able to figure out, and was wondering if one of these would actually be helpful.
I have found it very useful in one difficult to diagnose situation.
Sometimes a car will actually derail a few inches before the wheel hits the tie and you hear the noise. This can cause you to be checking the wrong part of the track for the problem. This car makes it easier to see where the wheels actually lift off of the rails.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Unfortunately, many problems are specific to one engine or one piece of rolling stock, so they might not show up on an Acrylic car. The fix might still be in improving the track, but a short car that will easily handle tight curves won't find it.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Hello All,
When it comes to diagnostic tools I say you can never have too many.
There are track situations that just looking from the side or running a set of trucks over a problem spot just won't do.
I have seen similar cars with only two-axle trucks, no level or magnifyer at a cheaper price.
Personally, I would opt for the "deluxe" version.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
Waste of money, never did anything for me and I sure didn't pay that much for mine.
jjdamnitWhen it comes to diagnostic tools I say you can never have too many.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
When I did stained glass I made a couple of cars like this out of cuts of clear glass (with edges rounded on the glass grinder), for a whole lot less than $36. In those days there were not small cameras that could be positioned to look down at high resolution, but I'd bet you'd 'see' better through glass with a modern one than through the pictured acrylic...
rrebell Waste of money, never did anything for me...
Waste of money, never did anything for me...
Alton Junction
I have one that I had purchased at a local shop that has a built in magnifying glass.
It does help some track issues be spotted, but most "problem spots" are either readily apparent without it, or only affect certain locomotives/cars.
While I am not unhappy with the purchase, I did not spend that amount on the car either. But mine had no build in level, and was built/designed by the shop I purchased it through.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.