Trolley Guidance

[traindaddy1]

I've been viewing Trolley's being listed on E-Bay.  (Non-Holiday) What information should I be looking for and would you have any model/mfg. suggestions?   As always, many thanks.

[challenger3980]

Hi Traindaddy,

   I myself really like Atlas O's Industrial Rail Trolley, one big advantage it has is that it not only works in "Bump-N-Go" automatic reversing mode, but it also has a traditional e-unit so it can be reversed in the conventional manner with the transformer. Lionel and MTH's trolleys are Bump reversing only, no e-unit. The Industrial Rail trolley is also a 2 TRUCK design, rather than a rigid 2 AXLE design, which is just a matter of personal preference, but I like them. The green and red paint scheme of the New Orleans version, is very attractive to my eye, and other than the street name doesn't have a city name on it, making it very versitile on any layout. Unfortunately, You are a month late in shopping for them as Walther's had them on sale for $69.99 ending December 31, that price put them within pennies of the Lionel annd MTH trolleys.

                     Doug

[cnw1995]

Ah, welcome to the wonderful world of traction. I also recommend taking a peek at Western Hobbycraft. See http://westernhobbycraft.com They have a wonderful series of trolleys - some with sound - at a great price.  Another overlooked manufacturer of 'solid' trolleys similar to Atlas' is Bowser. They also sell a nice drop-in motor for Corgi Birneys. All these are three-rail powered- not by overhead. Then there are the MTH and Lionel trolleys mentioned by challenger - and MTH's PCCs.

[goodness]

Doug is right. Those Western Hobbycraft trolleys are absolutely beautiful. I own several and love them. The sound systems are somewhat expensive in my opinion but I am "cheap". The details and paint jobs are outstanding. Wonderful "early" trolleys starting @ $135.00! And they are nice people to do business with.

He also mentioned the MTH PCC Streetcars. Trainworld has two on "closeout" @ $149.99 each which I think is a very good price. #30-2560-1 San Francisco and #30-2570-1 Brooklyn both have Protosound 2.0 and were in the MTH 2005 volume 2 catalog. Or you can see them on the MTH web sight. Phone [phone] to order or call 1-718-436-7072 for information. Train World is a CTT advertiser who supports our magazine.

You might also consider the K-Line by Lionel SuperStreets roadway for your city streets.

Have fun, Paul Goodness

[traindaddy1]

Thanks "Pros".   I can always count on the experts.

[marmelmm]

goodness

Trainworld has two on "closeout" @ $149.99 each which I think is a very good price. #30-2560-1 San Francisco and #30-2570-1 Brooklyn both have Protosound 2.0 and were in the MTH 2005 volume 2 catalog.

 

 Ooo! I've been wanting a Brooklyn PCC.  I'll hafta check that out.  Thankee! 

VTY,

-MMM-

 

[marmelmm]

I had a lengthy reply, but the computer ate it.  XP

Quick and dirty:

 Atlas:  Good cars, main problem is that the E-unit can't be switched off.  A tad undersized for scale.

MTH:  Very well made product.  I'm not fond of the LocoSound PCCs (certain -0 models), but the DCRS (other -0 models) and Protosound 2.0 PCCs are good, as is the DCRS double truck Brill.  Their Bump-and Go single truckers are very sturdy and a good buy.  The Protosound PCCs may have compatibility issues with the Lionel CW-80 transformer, as its whistle button stays on, triggering the  station stop function.

Lionel:  The old Birneys are classic, but have that goofy swinging trolley pole.  The newer Birneys look and run great, but the short wheelbase causes stalls on crossings and switches.  The K-Line interurbans are quite nice, apart from goofy trolley poles.  Earlier K-line interurbans are longer, no interiors, no sound.

Bowser:  Well built, basic stuff.  No E-units in their Birneys.

Corgi:  Excellent castings and paint.  The drop-in 3-rail units work well, but you wind up losing the interior.  Also a tad undersized.  

Hope this helps!

VTY,

-MMM-
 

[traindaddy1]

WOW!!!!!   How did you know I was still interested.  (My post is @ 1 year old) Just goes to show that threads never end.   Thanks for your reply.

[marmelmm]

traindaddy1

WOW!!!!!   How did you know I was still interested.  (My post is @ 1 year old) Just goes to show that threads never end.   Thanks for your reply.

 

 Well, I was looking up something else, came across the thread and figured I'd put my $.02 in. ;) 

 Glad I could help!  :)

 -MMM-

 

[mcattardo]

Since this was brought back up. Anyone know if all the above will run on superstreets' tight curves?

I thought I had read somewhere beeps will, but no such luck for me. At the moment I only have a Linonel holiday trolley to experiment with, but wanted to go with a 2 truck model.   

[marmelmm]

 

mcattardo

Since this was brought back up. Anyone know if all the above will run on superstreets' tight curves?

I thought I had read somewhere beeps will, but no such luck for me. At the moment I only have a Linonel holiday trolley to experiment with, but wanted to go with a 2 truck model.   

As a general rule of thumb, O-27 curves (13.5" radius) are as tight as the double-truck models are wont to go.  Now, if you don't mind a bit of tinkering, I do know that the Atlas/IR Brills have limiting screws that keep the trucks from fully swiveling.  If you were to remove them, SuperStreets might work.  :)

 Good luck!

 -MMM-

 

[lionelsoni]

Twenty-seven inches diameter (to the ends of the ties).  Twelve and one-half inches radius to the center rail.

[marmelmm]

lionelsoni

Twenty-seven inches diameter (to the ends of the ties).  Twelve and one-half inches radius to the center rail.

Really?  And all these years, I thought it was 13.5 inches center to center.  One learns something new every day!  :)

 -MMM-