@rplst8 posted:Yeah, maybe the remote control isn't that big of a deal. I hate having a feature I paid for not work though. Maybe I'll have to work on rolling my own.
What would be really cool is if you could make a system that just used like a 12-bit code over RF, and address any coupler on the layout. Each car could have a little radio board with a button battery (since it's just receiving) and wires to the fore and aft couplers. Using 12-bits allows for 4096 individual couplers, or 2048 cars and would be easy enough to set with a three digit hex code. Then at different places on the layout you'd just have a 4x4 hex keypad and you just enter the code and bam, it opens.
A slightly more human friendly way to do it would be to just use a regular 0-9 keypad. first two digits would be the train number 0-8 and next three would be for the car number then front or rear. That would allow for 9 trains of 128 cars each. You actually wouldn't even need to have every car with the remote couplers. Just the first and last in a "section" depending on the consist.
Just my opinion but, I was much more in to model railroading than remote control computer crap. I believe you are WAY over-thinking the Kadee coupler issue.
RE: grinding/snapping off the lobster claws - I would had to ruin all my trucks that way.
Well, breaking off the "claw stuff" does NOT damage/ruin the trucks.
I think it would kill resale value, and really needlessly destroy a somewhat pricey item.
Well, I sure had no trouble selling off ALL my 3RS locomotives and rolling stock through Stout Auctions! More than one buyer was more than pleased to purchase cars that had already been up-graded to body mount Kadee couplers. Since everything was also prototypically weathered, some buyers even changed the Hi-Rail trucks to 2-Rail Scale trucks, since the car was already equipped with Kadee couplers.
Also, in my opinion if one goes into the hobby of model railroading constantly worrying about "resale value", then you are in the WRONG HOBBY. Always remember that model trains are NOT an investment!
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