Ultrascale Class 31 conversion pack...

Bugger, I should have tested it first.

Try this:-

That makes sense. How long before Hornby follow suit and disconnect the middle axles from the drive train?

(kim)

On 06/04/2005 21:20, kim wrote,

Don't worry - I'm very familiar with the U/S website, although others may not be.

Hmmm... seems so obvious, I'm surprised they didn't do it!

disconnect the

Err, perhaps they have more sense than a load of rivet counters, the main requirement surely is to get as much traction at the wheels as possible, 6 wheels are better than four ?!

On 06/04/2005 21:47, :::Jerry:::: wrote,

At the risk of feeding the troll, if two of those wheels are skidding because they're a different size to the others, they're not contributing to traction. If they're raised slightly to clear the track, they're not contributing to traction. Or maybe you missed the point:- the centre pair of wheels on the prototype and the Hornby model are a different size to the other four, so they rotate at a different speed.

-- Paul Boyd

If they are raised clear of the track, then there should be no appreciable loss of traction as *all* the weight is on powered axles.

Cheers, Mick

skidding

contributing

centre

....assuming that the gearing is the same....

Doh, engineering is obviously not your strong point is it, troll....

"kim" wrote

As they described the loco as a Co-Co on their literature & packaging are you assuming that they realise that the centre axle should not be powered?

John.

"Mick Bryan" wrote

They appear to be constantly in contact with the track on my example.

John.

On 06/04/2005 23:17, :::Jerry:::: wrote,

I am assured that it is.

I am a qualified engineer...and I don't mean something like an NVQ. You?

They rotate at the same speed but the tyres of the inner wheels - being of smaller circumference - drag along the top of the rails. This prevents free running and causes burn out when used with feedback controllers.

(kim)

On 07/04/2005 17:04, kim wrote,

I meant, of course, after the Ultrascale conversion is fitted, as this is the subject of the thread!

...which confirms that the gearing is the same.

On 06/04/2005 23:08, Mick Bryan wrote,

You're right, although my comment was made with reference to Jerry's comment that all 6 wheels would actually provide traction, which on this particular model as bought doesn't appear to be the case. It sounds like the Hornby 31 as bought may have the centre wheels actually reducing the amount of traction available, so by converting to the Ultrascale wheelset with an idler gear on the centre axle (as far as I can tell from their website) you are back to the scenario you suggest - all the weight on powered axles - which is the ideal situation. This is why Ultrascale have the reputation they have, and you don't have to be a rivet-counter to use their products!

counters,

wheels

they're

different

prevents free

Well, in that case Hornby and there Chinese monkeys should stick to making Christmas cracker toys !

Yes, a bog paper engineer by the sounds of it, you obviously know nothing about gearing and gears !

There would be little problem (other than a slight increase in tooling costs) in adjusting the gear ratio on the centre axle to compensate for the smaller diameter of the axle wheel set.

On 07/04/2005 17:55, :::Jerry:::: wrote,

No?? Oh well.

You have a tooling facility and injection moulding machine in your back shed? Wow - you *must* be an engineer! Everyone else has to take what Hornby have already made and upgrade it with high quality alternatives. If you have nothing sensible to contribute to this thread, please leave. Meanwhile, welcome to my kill-file.

Well, unles you are trolling me and this group you most cartainly don't understand simple gearing....

compensate

alternatives.

WTF are you on about, I'm talking about what Hornby and Ultrascale SHOULD do, and could still do.

I would always prefer to have as many wheels as possible driving than be able to boast that "My model have true A1A bogies, does yours, Nanini, naha...".

In other words, "I know that I'm wrong and I don't want to have to see the put down"....

"Paul Boyd" wrote

This is

But you do have to be patient!

John.

":::Jerry::::" wrote

Don't blame the Chinese - they only do what Hornby tell them to do.

John.

On 07/04/2005 19:18, John Turner wrote,

Oh yes!!! Don't you just???