Trackmobile ?

[jbinkley60]

 

Did anyone else order a Trackmobile from Factory Direct ?   They said they arrived last Friday and have started shipping.  I haven't gotten mine yet.  Wondering if anyone else got one yet  and what they thought of it ?

 

[mj5890]

I ordered one using paypal

It was the BNSF DCC which is exactly what I wanted and about the only one in stock.

Except paypal hasnt charged my bank yet and when I check the paypal site it says payment pending and waiting aproval, and it has been 6 days so far and Im starting to worry they will sell out before it will get aproved. 

WHEN... I get my trackmobile I will post a review and pics.

Joe

[lvanhen]

I've had a UP on order for months - was supposed to be in & shipping, but just checked and not on my CC yet.

[jbinkley60]

I've had a UP on order for months - was supposed to be in & shipping, but just checked and not on my CC yet.

I ordered mine with PayPal and my credit card was charged last Friday.

 

[Railphotog]

I ordered one way back last fall, for "January delivery".   Late January I asked them about delivery - "February".   Late February I again asked - "within next two weeks".  It's been at least four weeks now, so I guess they will be delivered "whenever".

You'd think importers would learn by now - don't provide supply dates if you are not in control of the manufacturing process.  Supply less rigid arrival dates - "early 2008", or "2008 sometime, maybe, perhaps, could be", etc.  Seems to me the always moving arrival dates, which I know are probably not their fault, give poor impressions to customers and potential customers.  

I know if they should offer something in the future that I might be interested in, I'll just add 6 months or so to their promised arrival date.  I was hoping to have my Trackmobile for our local annual show held on March 1st.  Maybe for next years' show!

[wgnrr]

I was going to preorder, but just settled with ordering one when when they came out.

Since I jumped up out of my chair when I first saw an ad for the Trackmobiles, I have been patient for them to come out.

I was hoping for an older style, though. But any Trackmobile is good!

And the wait continues...

Phil

[jbinkley60]

I wrote Factory Direct yesterday.  I got a note from them stating that all preorders are shipping this week and thanks for being patient. 

 

[mj5890]

I checked my FDT acount and as of yesturday mourning it says it shipped and my bank was charged, although I havent recived a tracking number yet but im not worried about getting one.

 

Joe

[lvanhen]

My CC was charged on the 12th - didn't get it yet - almost 2 sweeks seems a long time!!  I'll e-mail then to see what's up.

[lvanhen]

E-mailed them last night & got a reply first thjing this AM!!  They were "all" shipped via US Mail 2 days ago - no tracking numbers, but should be ariving in next few days - can't wait!!

[mj5890]

That sounds great, Im so excited

How about the first person to get theirs WINS!!!!

Joe

[Railphotog]

E-mailed them last night & got a reply first thjing this AM!!  They were "all" shipped via US Mail 2 days ago - no tracking numbers, but should be ariving in next few days - can't wait!!

That's interesting and strange.  When I got my order confirmation a long time ago, it indicated they would be shipped by UPS.  Using UPS for stuff coming into Canada can be expensive, they charge $35-50 to collect the tax we have to pay on imported items.  I sent them an e-mail and asked if they would send mine by US Mail; they replied that they would, for the same $19.50 charge.  Kind of steep for such a small model, but I didn't have any choice.  It will be interesting to see what the actual postage is on the package.

Mine won't arrive for probably another week or more because it has to work itself through the two mail and customs systems.  Hurry up and wait I guess!

 

 

[arkansasrailfan]

At least everyone gets their trackmobile. I have to wait for the much longer release date for MSTS 2.
*rant rant curse curse*

[Lillen]

I think that it's quite clear when you read this:  

 

http://029ebf1.netsolstores.com/

 

Magnus

 

 

[lvanhen]

That sounds great, Im so excited

How about the first person to get theirs WINS!!!!

Joe

I WON!!!!  Got it at 12noon (wasn't home)  Looked it over & put it on the layout.  Track not cleaned in a long time & not used since Christmas when the grandson was here.  Ran OK on dirty track - quick rub with a clean cloth & ran much better!  Detail is excellent - has a driver and appears to have all the right details - I'll have to check photos of a real TMB to see.  One thing I found out right away - the railings are made of "engineered" plastic, and when I grabbed it they bent & popped right back where they belong!!  Seems like a "keeper"!!

Edit:  I've been reading the Operator's Manual printed by Factory Direct Trains.  This is a DCC model that has no sound, lights, etc., and this is about the best Manual I have from a loco!!  I have Atlas, BLI, Athern, and Lionel DCC/sound locos, and their manuals are not as good practically speaking.  They give clear instructions for wheel cleaning, gear lubrication, and pick-up spring inspection/replacement.  The programming instructions are the best non electronics geek instructions I've read yet!!  It tells youi in plain English what each CV does and how to adjust it to your likeing!! Another

[lvanhen]

This link will take you to the prototype of the FDT model http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=97833&nseq=15 .  I ordered the UP unit, but the Railpic site shows most UP units white or apparently leased.  I guess if I were to orsder it again i would get the TM model.  I've begun playing with it and found it will pull a Bachmann Spectrum HW diner, with lighting & properly weighted, up a 1/2 to 1% grade!!  Great little unit!!  To give you an idea of how small it is:  1.5" wide, 2.7" coupler face to face, 1.6" high above rail heads!  See my previous post for more "test" info.

[hotrak]

Any more reports on these?  I was looking at these but worried they would work better as a static model only.  So far, sounds good.

Thanks,
--
Rob

[lvanhen]

Just one thing to add - it runs great on reg track, but needs some speed to negotiate Atlas #6 plastic frog switches.  It's OK on a Peco double slip insulfrog switch & metal frog switches.  The wheelbase is only 1.62" (center to center of wheels).  The primary use of this little critter is in a yard/repair facility where switches will be a good portion of the running.  Stay away from plastic frog switches and everything should be just fine!!  My again.

[jbinkley60]

Just got mine.  It seems very sensitive to how clean the track is.  Nice looking unit and looks like it will be great for sidings and such.  It definetly doesn't is not a speed deamon but they aren't designed to go very fast.  I'll do some more testing and report back.  They do come standard with Kadee #5s and alas the lights do not work so no night time operation without outdoor lighting.

Here's a couple of pictures:

 

[mj5890]

I GOT MINE.  It is great! I got the BNSF DCC

It dose have a little trouble going over insulfrogs but not much, the detail is great and it is much heavier than I expected, it also has realy slow gearing, and I had mine pull 3 walther RD4s on level track but when it hit a slight grade the wheels started to slip. I would say the only con to this trackmobile is the silver pickup tab that goes accros to the wheels but a little paint will help mask it.

lvanhen was right the instruction booklet is great, it is very easy to understand. However it raised a few questions for me.

question 1: On page 3 of the manual under features it says it has a user-replaceable pickup system, they also say that over time it might detoriate and that the replacement part is FDT 9..., sold separately.  So my question is, do they mean you can replace it with internal wires or some other upgrade that is not visible and is then an improvment over the silver pickup tabs? or do they mean if it brakes/deteriorate you can replace it yourself?

question 2: on page 5-6 it has decoder details, it says "-All three function outputs have lighting effects generators," they also say "-select from 15 different lighting effects(mars, strobes, beacons, flicker, etc)."  So dose this mean you could put directional lights, beacons, and ditch lights on it and hook it up to the decoder? because that would be so cool!! Here are some pictures I took of it to show the details(sorry for poor quality).

 

 

Joe

[jasperofzeal]

This link will take you to the prototype of the FDT model http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=97833&nseq=15.....

For the record, the FDT model is not based on the 4500 series Trackmobile.  Jbinkley60 has a Trackmobile decorated model, and it's showing a 4850 series reporting mark on its side.  Not a big deal per se, but if you look at the photo of the prototype you provided, there is quite a difference in details.  You can also see the 4500 series reporting mark on the prototype picture.

Also, the model comes with a #58 Kedee scale coupler, not a #5 coupler as jbinkley60 stated.

My findings:  my Trackmobile (TM) doesn't have any trouble running through turnouts, IOW, no stalls or hesitations.  I'm using Bachmann EZ track (on the floor mind you), so other than a very noticeable wobble at the frog (track issue, not TM issue), the TM strolls through without problems.

As others have noted, it's pulling power is very limited.  Mine had wheels slipping but still managed to pull 3 hopper cars which consisted of two Accurails and one Atlas.  The freight cars I used have metal wheels that are very free-rolling and the cars are weighed to NMRA specs.  I really like the model and was impressed with its performance for being so small.

Here's some prototype info for the Trackmobile:  http://www.trackmobile.com/Models/4850.html

[Railphotog]

Joe:

Thanks for the photos, looks like you were too close to the model, or did not use you cameras' close up mode.  Most should have it.

 

 

[mj5890]

close up mode?

I'l try that

 

Joe 

[Bapou]

YOu could have a headlight and ditch lights, but no backup or beacon light. This is because ditch lights take 2 outputs. I assume that you could have the headlight turn off or dim in reverse.

[Peterraev]

Hi there.

I would also like to ad lights to my trackmobile, does anyone know which solderpads to use? I'm thinking beacon, and headlights

 

Peter

[mj5890]

yes, I would also like to know this, also what do you mean by solderpads and where are they and how do you tell the dirfence?

Thanks

Joe

[Peterraev]

Hi there.

if you demount the decoder, and then look very closely, you will see that the are som solder holes in the board, I just figured that they were ment to conect the lights.

Peter

www.goldenspike.dk

[Railphotog]

I took the step and made my Trackmobile look like it is actually in use by weathering it:

 

 

[lvanhen]

Nice weathering job Bob!!  I'm tossed between weathering or leaving it nice & shiny new!!  Maybe I'll toss a coin

[mj5890]

I agree with lvanhen, nice weathering job!!

Do you mind me asking, what technique(s) you used on it?

Thanks,

Joe