DaveJfr0 posted:I suppose a side-by-side video demonstration could show a smoother slow-start or removal of jerkiness, but then someone could say the decoder settings would have a factor in this as well, even if they're the same decoder, drivetrain, and motor.
Unfortunately, I don't have easy access to the majority of my trains and my layout. I don't even have my DCC system with me, so my DCC giraffe car is going to have to wait, lol. I will have to wait unless someone else cares to explore this avenue. Still curious if there is recorded mechanical improvement. Not trying to hate on 3rd Rail; I'm just really overall curious.
There is another reason, maintainability. As locomotives get heavier the lateral stress on the bushing/bearing increases increasing the probability that the bushing will fail at some future date. Using a standard 2x5x2.5 ball bearing reduces the cost and the work involved to replace the bearing in the future, whereas even finding a compatible bushing is unlikely as the builders suppliers provide unique bushings even changing between runs of the same locomotive.
