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Now This Is Cool

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  • Member since
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  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
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Now This Is Cool
Posted by BATMAN on Monday, November 16, 2020 4:20 PM

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by Southgate 2 on Monday, November 16, 2020 4:57 PM

That is very cool. Pretty smooth action.

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Posted by gmpullman on Monday, November 16, 2020 6:52 PM

I'm looking forward to having a New Haven > Penn Central EP-5 on my layout. When I read that production was suffering delays due to the pantograph raising mechanism I thought — give it up, I can live without moving pantographs.

I wouldn't run with them in the up position anyway as the overpasses and signal bridges wouldn't treat them very nicely. Watching them go up and down is a feature I would tire of after, say, five minutes?

Just give me a motor and decoder that won't fry after a half-hour Whistling

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, November 16, 2020 9:42 PM

That is a pretty spiffy feature.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, November 16, 2020 9:50 PM

gmpullman

I'm looking forward to having a New Haven > Penn Central EP-5 on my layout. When I read that production was suffering delays due to the pantograph raising mechanism I thought — give it up, I can live without moving pantographs.

I wouldn't run with them in the up position anyway as the overpasses and signal bridges wouldn't treat them very nicely. Watching them go up and down is a feature I would tire of after, say, five minutes?

Just give me a motor and decoder that won't fry after a half-hour Whistling

Cheers, Ed

 

My sentiments exactly.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, November 16, 2020 9:52 PM

I was thinking these were for people using live catenary.

If they are for two rail DCC, that is kind of pointless.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 12:01 AM

SeeYou190
I was thinking these were for people using live catenary.

There's a PRR modeler who has captured the details of the electrified main line, called the N.E. Corridor today, and even he states that he doesn't run with the pantographs up. Too much risk of damage to the wire or the pantograph.

I recall an article once where he described a "break-away" pan he was working on but I really don't know if he got anywhere.

I'll occasionally display some of my electric "motors" with the pans up but only for a photo-shoot. The locomotives I have from Overland, BLI, Bachmann, Walthers and Atlas that have pantographs can be "unlatched" and raised but for everyday running I keep them lowered for fear of snagging an overhead obstruction.

 PRR_under-wire_2k by Edmund, on Flickr

Sometimes the real ones got damaged from ice or bad wire. The GG1s usually ran with the rear pan up so that if it got damaged the engineer could still raise the front one and be able to continue.

I file these kind of "features" in the gimmic category, depleting coal loads, "smoke" from the whistle, smoking diesels (or steam for that matter) pushbutton uncoupling (MTH) or opening cab doors like Proto 2000 had some years ago. No thanks, not needed.

Cheers, Ed

Regards, Ed

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Posted by Southgate 2 on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 2:18 AM

This is a feature for a rather narrow group of buyers. The majority of us don't feature overhead power, or other all electric powered locomotives. For those who do, and want this cool option, here it is. Gimmicky? Many here like their sound equipped steam or diesels, and other features that set them apart from the lesser feature packed locos. I kinda see that raising pan like that.  it's not for me,(along with sound), But for whom it is for, it's cool. Dan

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 6:18 AM

Southgate 2

This is a feature for a rather narrow group of buyers. The majority of us don't feature overhead power, or other all electric powered locomotives. For those who do, and want this cool option, here it is. Gimmicky? Many here like their sound equipped steam or diesels, and other features that set them apart from the lesser feature packed locos. I kinda see that raising pan like that.  it's not for me,(along with sound), But for whom it is for, it's cool. Dan

Ditto.  Cool factor but very limited appeal for buyers.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by Doughless on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 8:01 AM

Sigh.  Sadly its the sign of the times.

In the digital age, manufacturers of all kinds of products seem to think that the consumer wants more features.  I don't. 

I would still prefer to have 25 cable channels in analog, and drop my film off at a drugstore to get real pictures back that I can put into a real scrapbook. 

I'm not a dinosaur, stuff simply made more sense for their intended purpose.

#FeaturesDon'tMatter

- Douglas

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 9:18 AM

Doughless
I would still prefer to have 25 cable channels in analog

Since I dumped cable TV, I only get about 20 channels over the air.

The picture and sound quality is better, and I actually enjoy the TV more now that there are fewer choices.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 9:34 AM

I agree with Ed and Doughless.

Mike.

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Posted by kasskaboose on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 2:38 PM

Way cool!

 

 

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