What makes a gimmick?

Oh I agree with you there. (although 46247 for me limited edition)

My mate's Auntie got promotion at Binns Rd from 3-rail to 2-rail and we all got a bottle of lemonade and a packet of crisps in celebration.

I wonder what would have happened these days if she could speak Chinese?

I like the giraffe wagon - if only I could think of a retraction system that didn't involve laying a center rail of code 125 steel rail in the middle of my hand-laid code 70 track :-(

Marklin had that on it's DR class 64 and 86 way back in 1950.

Greg.P.

Hey Greg, don't complicate matters, Class 86s are leccies over here and don't have smokebox doors, but I suspect the DR Class 64s were something like the MeHano thingies with red plasticky chassis that used to turn up in toy markets in Liverpool from time to time sold for next to nothing.

I did write "DR" and I always complicate matters! ;-)

Greg.P.

Nobody seems to talk about modelling that brown line down the centre of the track, with tiny bits of paper strewn around.

Does that still happen on the prototype, as per the "not while the train is standing in the station" signs?

Or do coaches now have, ahem, "waste water" tanks that need pumping out periodically?

Most of the things such as rocket firing cars, giraffe cars, shunting elephants etc are really items in the 'toy' field, and were provided to increase the 'play value' of the train set. Gimmicks that represent items of the real railway and that work automatically or by remote control are probably worth while. Gimmicks such as opening smokebox doors, which require a giant hand from outer space to operate them are just 'gimmicks' and after all, how many locos with their smokebox doors open could one have around one's layout. The point about the roof fans is interesting. When I observe from above, our local (V/Line) diesels standing at a platform with the engine idling, the roof fans are often only just rotating, they only kick in when power is applied, so perhaps the non-rotation when stopped in the various models mentioned isn't too far off real life. For another example of rotating fans that could be modelled, how about the condenser cooling fans on roof mounted a.c units on passenger cars? No, let's stop right now! Regards, Bill.

"John Turner" wrote in message news:cvev7g$9v8$ snipped-for-privacy@newsreaderg1.core.theplanet.net...

Both, depending on the type of train. HSTs still flush onto the track. More modern things like Adelantes have "waste water" tanks.

PhilD

Sorry, Fellas, having sent off my previous blurb, something else on gimmicks occured to me.A gimmick that as far as I know has never been made in OO or HO gauge on steam loco models is an arrangement on the Walschaerts valve gear so that the radius rod moves up or down in the expansion link to the correct position for forward or reverse running. Probably very difficult to do, but who knows with modern micro technology. Most model steam locos operate with the radius rod in mid-gear position, obviously the easiest arrangement to make. Regards,

Bill.

words:

kind-of-spaceship-on-wheels

...and while lying in bed last night I remembered the Exploding Wagon.

Andy

I recall seeing in Model Railroader, many years ago, an 'O' gauge (I think it was) steam loco with valve gear that did just that.

-- Cheers Roger T.

Home of the Great Eastern Railway

"PhilD" wrote

I think they're called *retention tanks*.

John.

Two powerful magnets opposing each other might work if you only want a momentary action...

I'll get my coat ! :~)

Well, in the case of the BR class 55's they would be turning all the time the engine unit(s) are running as the drive is mechanical off the engine, I strongly suspect that most fans would be running all the engine(s) are as it's the only way to get air through the various engine cooling radiators.

Also, please don't top post.

Bill,

It was done years ago by the late John Noble on his S scale 2-6-2 Ivatt tank. He installed a small secondary motor on the locomotive which was across the track voltage and which drove the radius rod and also a multi-pole switch. This switch, along with four diodes, applied power to the main traction motor when the radius rod was had moved to forward or reverse gear, and also cut off the secondary motor.

It was featured in the July 1964 MRN - no modern micro technology :-)

Jim.

No, That's what track maintenance staff wish passengers bowels would be. ;-)

Reminds me of the time we were waiting on the platform and a member of railway staff got off a train on the other platform and began a conversation on his mobile. We could overhear enough to tell that he was phoning ahead to the terminal at the end of the line to report a problem. Something about a large stool causing an obstruction. I thought someone had left an item of furniture on board until I realised he was discussing the toilets!

Like the time some inconsiderate prat flushed whilst the train was standing in the station, train move off leaving a pile of soggy paper and a stool standing proud in the middle of the track !