This is something I would like to try for my conventional engines. We have an Atlas ALP-44 that would be extremely challenging to upgrade to PS3. There is just not enough room since there is a large sideways motor.
Since this NJ Transit engine will most likely only pull NJ Transit passenger cars, it would be really easy to put a very large battery in the passenger car with a tether. If charging is an issue, simply have 2 battery tender cars. One on the charger and one on the track.
I was thinking, for operators, you might also be able to put a battery in the engine and the exact same battery in a tender car and have them tethered in parallel. This would enable the engine to run by itself or create a much longer run time if the batteries are wired in parallel.
Many folks wire their layouts to run multiple ways, i.e. Conventional, DCS, Legacy, TMCC. While some might want to jump into the pool and convert 100%, I just see this as another alternative to running trains on my layout.
If you visited the BlueRail web site you will also note that one does NOT have to use batteries. You can use track power as well. So you can add a form of command and control to your conventional engines. They are supposedly coming out with a more robust board for "O" gauge.
Have Fun.
Ron
