@Hudson J1e posted:1) How are the pickups fabricated and mounted?
There are several ways to do this. I like the way John Sethian does it. You can read about it in his thread about his PRR Baldwin Sharks here:
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...el-legacy-prr-sharks
2) Can 2 rail lighted rolling stock run on 2 rail AC-powered track. If not, what would have to be done?
I believe some can and some can't. I think newer 2 rail lighted rolling stock (such as the Atlas CZ cars) can run on AC or DC. Older stuff may be DC only. For the ones that are DC only a simple rectifier circuit is all that is needed.
Steam conversions will be very expensive if you are machining drivers. A cheaper way would be to see if Pat (Harmon Yards) can find a 2 rail chassis to mount underneath your 3 rail boiler. He is a 3 railer who has done this in reverse many times. I think it would most likely be cheaper to buy a factory 2 rail locomotive and install the Legacy electronics in it rather than convert a 3 rail Legacy steam locomotive. There are other factors involved such as if the locomotive is available in 2 rail but rest assured there is a lot more available in 2 rail than most people think. It's up to you to decide which way is the best for you.
As for diesels if you have MTH diesels with the 2/3 trucks converting is a piece of cake and the cost is minimal. If you don't have the 2/3 trucks then it can still be done but it is more difficult. There are several ways to do it but the easiest way is (in my opinion) to change the truck to a 2 rail truck if possible. If not possible perhaps someone like Pat can convert it but again it would most likely be cheaper to buy the 2 rail diesel and install your electronics in it.
All opinion. I could be wrong on any or all of this!
Thanks for that thread. Is there a way to tell which cars can run on ac/dc and which are dc only?
