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At a minimum, thus run of GP7s is likely far enough along in the process that any change at this point is not going to happen.  I think at $225ish (Ro and Trainworld) it's a relatively low risk gamble on giving one of these a shot.  I can't see most people pulling more than 10 or 12 cars with it, I think even with one motor it will do fine.  

Bluetooth + sound = a win.  I would like smoke, but I'll live without it.

Now this could be a good starting point for a RTR set. 

Ben

NotInWI posted:

At a minimum, thus run of GP7s is likely far enough along in the process that any change at this point is not going to happen.  I think at $225ish (Ro and Trainworld) it's a relatively low risk gamble on giving one of these a shot.  I can't see most people pulling more than 10 or 12 cars with it, I think even with one motor it will do fine.  

Bluetooth + sound = a win.  I would like smoke, but I'll live without it.

Now this could be a good starting point for a RTR set. 

Ben

It was never my intention to see current production suspended just because I spotted a possibility that there is potential to make these with eight wheel drive and maybe at minimal extra development costs.

I'm sure that if there is any mileage in doing this then Lionel will do what is best for them.

What is the possibility of retro fitting older AF Lionel diesels with FC capability as an upgrade option?

Every one has good ideas and all.  but jeesh it must be awful to work for Lionel. The minute you try to be nice and show some work. All of us experts tell them how to do their job better. And I know some one is going to follow up with why they are justified in telling Lionel how to do their job. As a self employed guy I'm just a little more sensitive to this. I love it when customers dictate how I can do my job better.

"Every one has good ideas and all.  but jeesh it must be awful to work for Lionel. The minute you try to be nice and show some work. All of us experts tell them how to do their job better. And I know some one is going to follow up with why they are justified in telling Lionel how to do their job. As a self employed guy I'm just a little more sensitive to this. I love it when customers dictate how I can do my job better."

Thank you, I could not have said it better. I for one would not be as deep into S gauge, or model railroading period, now if it were not for Lionel and in particular ERR. Do they do everything perfect, no, but I know of mistakes I have made both mechanically and verbally. I believe we, in S, need to maybe appreciate a little bit the life that Lionel has put into American Flyer. I am not saying this to discount American Models or S helper/MTH as I own their products also. I do believe we could give them, all these manufacturers, a break.

Ray

To the folks who keep suggesting putting a flat motor in the rear of a GP-7, there are at least two considerations:

-the truck must rotate, which rotates the motor. After a few degrees of rotation, the round part of the motor might hit the insides of the body.

-the power and torque characteristics of the flat motor must match the characteristics of the forward motor exactly, and at all speeds.

RoyBoy posted:

To the folks who keep suggesting putting a flat motor in the rear of a GP-7, there are at least two considerations:

-the truck must rotate, which rotates the motor. After a few degrees of rotation, the round part of the motor might hit the insides of the body.

-the power and torque characteristics of the flat motor must match the characteristics of the forward motor exactly, and at all speeds.

If you look at the SD70 and ES44 motors, they do not rotate with the trucks.

Rusty

Rusty Traque posted:
RoyBoy posted:

To the folks who keep suggesting putting a flat motor in the rear of a GP-7, there are at least two considerations:

-the truck must rotate, which rotates the motor. After a few degrees of rotation, the round part of the motor might hit the insides of the body.

-the power and torque characteristics of the flat motor must match the characteristics of the forward motor exactly, and at all speeds.

If you look at the SD70 and ES44 motors, they do not rotate with the trucks.

Rusty

I don't run any prototypes newer than 1952, so do not have either of these locos.  I was thinking of a vertical motor, a China Drive, if you will. Any vertical motor will have to rotate with the truck, or else the truck will speed up or slow down momentarily when the truck rotates.

Are the motors in the SD70 and the ES44 horizontally mounted in the trucks?

That still does not address my point that both motors must have the same torque and speed characteristics.

Last edited by RoyBoy
RoyBoy posted:
Rusty Traque posted:
RoyBoy posted:

To the folks who keep suggesting putting a flat motor in the rear of a GP-7, there are at least two considerations:

-the truck must rotate, which rotates the motor. After a few degrees of rotation, the round part of the motor might hit the insides of the body.

-the power and torque characteristics of the flat motor must match the characteristics of the forward motor exactly, and at all speeds.

If you look at the SD70 and ES44 motors, they do not rotate with the trucks.

Rusty

I don't run any prototypes newer than 1952, so do not have either of these locos.  I was thinking of a vertical motor, a China Drive, if you will. Any vertical motor will have to rotate with the truck, or else the truck will speed up or slow down momentarily when the truck rotates.

Are the motors in the SD70 and the ES44 horizontally mounted in the trucks?

That still does not address my point that both motors must have the same torque and speed characteristics.

The motors on the SD70's and ES44's are mounted to the frame.  The trucks pivot around the worm gear.  Any speed difference is negligible.

ES44 Misc 032215 004

ES44 Misc 032215 001

Rusty

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  • ES44 Misc 032215 004
  • ES44 Misc 032215 001
Last edited by Rusty Traque

I just took a look inside my SD-70, a measurement inside the body in the location of the motor is 1 inch. A measurement over the round part of the motor yielded approximately .960 inch. The motor in the SD is not a round motor but rather has flats that run parallel to the length of the engine. The flats appear to be a smaller measurement than the flywheel which measures approx. .780 inch.

Ray

Rayin"S" posted:

I just took a look inside my SD-70, a measurement inside the body in the location of the motor is 1 inch. A measurement over the round part of the motor yielded approximately .960 inch. The motor in the SD is not a round motor but rather has flats that run parallel to the length of the engine. The flats appear to be a smaller measurement than the flywheel which measures approx. .780 inch.

Ray

The inside width of a GP body is 24.38mm, tad under an inch and the SD motor across the flats is 19.30mm, so there is room to put one in if the motor is fixed like the SD and have room for wires to run by it as well, so it could possibly be done.

Hi all. 

Wanted to give an update on the coupler situation that was raised. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

We've modified the design and tooling. The coupler opens enough now to allow the two couplers to separate.

The new coupler will be made when this year's engines go into production.

Thanks!

IMG_5565

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  • A/F Electrocoupler Revised
Dave Olson posted:

Hi all. 

Wanted to give an update on the coupler situation that was raised. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

We've modified the design and tooling. The coupler opens enough now to allow the two couplers to separate.

The new coupler will be made when this year's engines go into production.

Thanks!

 

Bob

"Will you be at the York show in April so I can thank you in person when I talk with Ryan?"

I will be there all 3 days. I look forward to meeting you!

 

"Will the upcoming FlyerChief geeps have the same brass tubular axles and brass bearings like we see in the O scale LionChief diesels, or will they be solid steel?"

They will be solid. No magnetic traction here.

But I want to note that our Customer Service Dept. hasn't received a LC+ engine in for that issue. That design is very robust and has been used in many traditional sized engines for many years. That engine seemed to be a rare exception, and upon looking at the images, had other problems that were causing issues. The excessive wear of the axle would indicate a flawed truck frame. There was also way too much corrosion and no lubrication for such a new engine.

Hi all,

We received a pre-production sample of the GP7 and I thought I would post a video so you could hear the sounds.

The volume is really good. This speaker helped out greatly. I also enjoy the new prime mover sounds Rudy made for this engine.

This also has the updated coil couplers that open further. They work great.

Let me know what you think!

Dave

 

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AF_GP7_SoundDemo
banjoflyer posted:

Thanks for the update! I hope the Android APP for FlyerChief is nearing completion. Please keep us posted.

The APP is working well on Android phones. Just a few more kinks to work out. We're trying to size it for tablets. That's the trickier part. Estimating end of August release or so. I'll definitely announce it when it's ready!

Dave Olson posted:
banjoflyer posted:

Thanks for the update! I hope the Android APP for FlyerChief is nearing completion. Please keep us posted.

The APP is working well on Android phones. Just a few more kinks to work out. We're trying to size it for tablets. That's the trickier part. Estimating end of August release or so. I'll definitely announce it when it's ready!

Well that is cool!

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