Brainstorming New Products

[steamage]

Not mentioning another type of locomotive you would like to see made on this posting, what other new things or ideas would you like to see developed by manufactures.

These are things I'm working on.

For layout Operation: I now use a mini cam that has a track view for the visiting engineer to watch on a TV screen, he takes orders to stop, back or go forward. I do the uncoupling and throw the turnouts. This has been quite popular with visiting engineers. They really like the out of the engine view.

Now.. I would like to take this plan taken to another level, done digitally over the Internet. This would allow friends living too far away to take part in an operating session. The engineer, using his home computer would see the track view and use his computer keyboard for sending commands for operating the power pack voltage. I think this would be a saleable program with a hardware black box to plug into a MRC, Control Master 10, or DCC.


For layout Car Loading: One animation project I'm working on now are gravel hoppers that can be loaded at one end of the layout, run in train and unloaded at the other. Years ago, Tyco had mad a two bay car that worked very well unloading. I've been experimenting with a Tyco hopper and the clam type dump mechanism works very well. I really like the idea of moving open car loads over the layout, this does make for a much more interesting layout. I would like to see more animation from manufatcures.

So what are your ideas, thoughts for new products you would like to see made?

[MisterBeasley]

I've got 11 of those coal hoppers, one of the old track inserts that opens the clamshells and dumps the coal, and a Vollmer building with solenoid-activated loading chutes for filling the cars. I've got a bit more trackwork to do, but the unloading area is percolating up to the top of the project list. I'm hoping the loading chutes will still work - they've been sitting in attics and basements for 40 years. I'm thinking about building a working conveyer, because the loader building only holds about 2 carloads. A commercially-available conveyor belt that could carry "coal" would be a great product I'd like to see for this.

As for the remote TV-controlled system, all the parts are already available. You can take the video output from your camera and feed it into a video board on your computer. I use one from WinTV to view camcorder streams. Then, there are computer interfaces available for the various DCC systems, so you can control things from your computer. I haven't tried any of these, so someone else might help you out on how well they work. Finally, there are products like PC Anywhere which allow remote access to programs and data on your home computer from over the Internet.

[zgardner18]

Mine are a little different. I would like to see more modern accessories for my modeling needs. I know that my generation will be modeling more of the new equipment and we need more modern supplies. I'm talking about things like cars for our layout. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I want modern cars (American and japanese), trucks, suvs, motorhomes, ATVs, motorcyles, boats, toyboxes and 5thwheels. I want someone to make modern stores, houses, gas stations, etc. (Like summit USA). That's what I want as new products.

[TwinZephyr]

I'd like to see a program like Kit-O-Mat developed to its full potential. This means the ability to design either a basic structure or a complex model with details such as rafter tails, fascia boards, porches, steps, etc. It should also include a library of designs that can be modified or copied and pasted together to make something new. To really be successful, the data file format needs to be open, i.e. non-proprietary and users need to be able to share their designs.

[MAbruce]

How about locomotives that run on small fuel cells? They would be run by wireless (RC) control. Imagine no more powered rails or track cleaning!

[myred02]

I would like to see a computer interface for your DCC system that allows you to program locomotives in an easier fashion. Here's how it would work. You put a locomotive on the programming track, which is connected to the DCC throttle or command station, which is connected to a laptop computer. The computer, which would already be running the program, would detect the locomotive. It would tell you things about the locomotive, as well as list the different functions available. You would program the locomotive by selecting different options. For example, if it asked you "Which function button would you like to use to activate the horn?" you would click on "F1" or "F2" from the list of "F" buttons on a toolbar, which is displayed in the same window as the question you are being asked, depending on your preferences. It would be almost like tuning your car using a Hypertech Power Programmer, for those of you who know what that is.

That is what I would like to see, as well as a few things already listed by Zak Gardener.

-Brandon

[Anonymous]

myred02

Am I seeing double??

[Anonymous]

I could be wrong here but your idea is alive now. http://jmri.sourceforge.net/apps/DecoderPro/index.html

QUOTE: Originally posted by myred02

I would like to see a computer interface for your DCC system that allows you to program locomotives in an easier fashion. Here's how it would work. You put a locomotive on the programming track, which is connected to the DCC throttle or command station, which is connected to a laptop computer. The computer, which would already be running the program, would detect the locomotive. It would tell you things about the locomotive, as well as list the different functions available. You would program the locomotive by selecting different options. For example, if it asked you "Which function button would you like to use to activate the horn?" you would click on "F1" or "F2" from the list of "F" buttons on a toolbar, which is displayed in the same window as the question you are being asked, depending on your preferences. It would be almost like tuning your car using a Hypertech Power Programmer, for those of you who know what that is.

That is what I would like to see, as well as a few things already listed by Zak Gardener.

-Brandon

[myred02]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jflessne

I could be wrong here but your idea is alive now. http://jmri.sourceforge.net/apps/DecoderPro/index.html

QUOTE: Originally posted by myred02

I would like to see a computer interface for your DCC system that allows you to program locomotives in an easier fashion. Here's how it would work. You put a locomotive on the programming track, which is connected to the DCC throttle or command station, which is connected to a laptop computer. The computer, which would already be running the program, would detect the locomotive. It would tell you things about the locomotive, as well as list the different functions available. You would program the locomotive by selecting different options. For example, if it asked you "Which function button would you like to use to activate the horn?" you would click on "F1" or "F2" from the list of "F" buttons on a toolbar, which is displayed in the same window as the question you are being asked, depending on your preferences. It would be almost like tuning your car using a Hypertech Power Programmer, for those of you who know what that is.

That is what I would like to see, as well as a few things already listed by Zak Gardener.

-Brandon

Wow, that's awesome. I had no idea!

[steamage]

It's hard to find Tyco operating hoppers nowadays, they must be in high demand. I'm impressed with the simple design for unloading the car.

Think a state-of-the-art (well detailed) operating hopper car would be a real hit for modelers with long coal trains. For my needs, gravel for a concrete mixing plant could be loaded at the pit mine and unloaded in a realistic fashion. Sure a lot better than using those stupid hopper load inserts, that's really prototype isn't it!

Like the idea of a rechargeable battery locomotive that would have to set at the fuel rack for a while to be charged. Maybe run on several 9 volt rechargeable batteries.

[jrbernier]

I am not sure how well those TYCO hoppers worked. I had a pair of them, and the clamshell doors always 'leaked' the load as the train moved. They were not very realistic gates for a coal hopper - maybe closer to some ballast door arrangements.

Jim

[MisterBeasley]

As I remember, the cars did work reasonably well. They made it even more important to avoid derailments, though. When I was a teenager, I didn't have ballasted track, so I think I would have noticed coal lying in my tracks if they had been leaking. Still, 40 years ago is a long time.

No, the underside of the cars isn't particularly prototypical, but if the clamshell doors are painted flat black, you'll hardly notice. For those who've never seen one of these, here's a shot. The clamshell door is at the bottom on the left.

[Anonymous]

yeah.and think how realistic your layout will look when six loaded hoppers are dumped all over during a derailment..............................

[Anonymous]

Somewhere back in the '60s there was an article in MR - correct me if I'm wrong, please - in which the author advocated a standard body design (read: shell) for EMD F-units with the ability to install different details allowing you to "design-your-own" locomotive. By configuring different roof and side details you could come up with anything from an F3 to an F9. If you didn't want a steam generator, for instance, there was a plate to cover that opening: if you did want one then there was an insert for that.

The article was an interesting one with an interesting concept. Sometime later someone picked it up and ran with it - at least there was a plethora of advertising (using the author's drawings, by the way) indicating an interest in it. It unfortunately was always in the vapor world hanging just over the horizon - you know, scheduled for August release, coming in February, etc. It then died a natural lingering death. But it was sure a good idea and I wish someone else would run with it again.

[steamage]

This is a view of the TV using the Mini Cam for switching. The picture is a little fuzzy because of trying to remove the TV lines off the picture. I would like to add the engine speed as seen with yellow lettering, so I'm working on that problem . Also made a webpage about how I loaded an Athearn 50 foot box car with the camera equipment.
http://www.geocities.com/oldlahistory/tvcam.html

[tsgtbob]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rtpoteet

Sometime later someone picked it up and ran with it - at least there was a plethora of advertising (using the author's drawings, by the way) indicating an interest in it. It unfortunately was always in the vopor world hanging just over the horizon - you know, scheduled for August release, coming in February, etc. It then died a natural lingering death. But it was sure a good idea and I wish someone else would run with it again.

Yeah, Highliners was the company that, for the better part of 15 years advertised "A units available soon."
You can finally buy those Highliners Fs.
They are now Atheran Genesis.
Now.
What I want is simple.
Common cars from the late 1960s to the mid 80s. In O scale.
I can get almost every musclecar ever made, but, I can't find an approprate sedan, station wagon, police car, or other "family" body style at all!
Another item I would like to see, is more homes!
In all scales.

[Anonymous]

I agree Myred...GUI interfaces and mouse-click programming. I'm surprised someone hasn't already done it...