Walthers doodlebug

[Anonymous]

Who's got one? What do you think of it? Is it a good runner? Better than the Spectrum gas electric?

Roger

[Anonymous]

I have one, don't think I've actually operated it yet as I do my modeling on modules and haven't had them set up with our club for a while. It's totally different than the Spectrum model (got one of those too!), being shorter. I paintd mine for CN, and removing the windows to paint was a pain, especially trying to get them back in again!

The front truck is powered, a rubber drive band from a flywheel goes down to the front wheelset. It's the same power arrangement as on their rotary plow.

Bob Boudreau

[nedthomas]

The Spectrum model I had developed broken axle gears after about 18 months. The axle is press fit to the gears and a crack developes at the root of a tooth and the gear slips on the axle. The Walthers is driven by both axles on the front truck. The rubber band (really an "O" ring) drives a shaft geared to both wheel sets.