How about a mechanical breakdown feature

The only Mechanical breakdown sounds is the Lionel Hot box.

Didn't Lionel do a breakdown B unit a few years back........Paul

Re the breakdown B unit, they sure did.  I guess it didn't sell too well though.

The way are models are made with poor quality control in China,they break down on their own unscripted, much more frequently than real railroads. 

Dale H

My favorite is the Hot Box Reefer, I have two of them converted to TMCC.  They are a hit at our modular shows, I just trigger it at random during a run.

I've not speculated on any 'fun' breakdowns, but I did experiment with simulating flat spots on wheel treads:

It tends to find one's weak couplers, though.

...on second thought, you probably could call that a "breakdown".

---PCJ

MTH has the train wreck soft key.

I'D LIKE TO SEE A PIC OF THE WHEELS YOU PUT THE FLAT SPOT ON - IT DEFINITLY ADDS SOME REALISM.

the flat wheel syndrome is included in the vision tank cars and the UP Cattle Car with sounds.  You can give your cars a flat tire, then stop the train and it will fix it before you can rollout again.  A fun play feature.  I'm guessing the new vision reefers have the flat tire sound as well.

Bigger the flat spot the more louder the car gets.

Yep, the VL PFE Reefers have flat wheels sounds as well.

You're sure abusing that poor plant coming by.

Noticed someone else mentioned this too,  MTH DCS engines have a train wreck simulation sound set on one of the soft keys.   Nothing to extended,  takes about 30 seconds.   One of mine shuts the engine off after going through the sounds............

Mark

It's just a little dab of hot glue--just big enough to make some noise, but not enough to stop the wheelset from rolling. I have them on the inboard axle, and to represent "spotted" wheels, I put one on opposite locations of a single wheelset.

If you look at "Autorack Outtake" (it should be one of the suggested videos if you view this on YouTube) you can spot one of the 'modified' wheelsets as I'm backing the front end of the consist to hitch up the cars it left behind.

---PCJ 

I am unaware of this feature - anyone have a video of the sound set?

It's been getting the "brush-off" since I built the loop in there. Funny though, those leaves aren't the ones that dry up and fall off--most likely they're the ones getting enough sunlight to keep the rest of the plant alive. It was one of the previous owners' plants they couldn't carry when they moved (found out later their moving van was 8000 pounds overweight), so I have no idea what species/how old it is, beyond "more than 15 years".

---PCJ

If you want some uncontrived breakdown challenges, get some old junk trains that need troubleshooting to resolved wheel and coupler and tracking problems. This is part of what I do in the hobby, then I have the satisfaction of achieving reliable operation with unique vintage trains that most people would not have spent the time to fix.

Heres some video ( not mine) of a breakdown b unit, breakdown sounds can be heard starting at about 3:20. I believe these emit smoke out of the grilles during "breakdown" too, not visible on this video:

I wonder if the new FEF's wil have flat spotted wheel sounds?

The breakdown feature in a diesel locomotive would be fun! you could mount an orange led in the exhaust stack which may give the illusion of fire! Hmmm I might have to try that.

That actualy would be an interesting thing to use during an group operating session. Break the monotony and stir the pot, rush in a helper to save the day or set out a car.

Jamie 

thanks for the video - so it looks like most of the pieces im talking about are already in place just need to modernize it some.

A while ago, I suggested adding something random like a breakdown that can be triggered by the LCS sensor track:

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...83#40989964211948183

Jon Z sort-of endorsed the idea, but so far nothing in the catalogues.  I still think it would be cool.  I didn't know about the "flat wheel" feature.  Since I don't have any Vision Line rolling stock yet, I'll have to use RailRide's approach.  Anything that adds variety and realism to an operating session is good!

how about derailing with cars running off the table?  Hah Hah.  That would make a breakdown event - maybe only once for that engine and cars.