My Weaver RS-3, with NWSL wheels and axle gear, change in sprocket size, and an NCE 408, does fine at slow speeds....
I have a couple of smooth runners to add to the list.
My P&D F-unit kits (Weaver style chain drive) run very smoothly and without jackrabbit starts on a non-back EMF NCE 408 decoder. These are all the single drive tower model which leaves room for an excellent cab detail kit. They did require the addition of all-wheel wipers for reliable power. A little graphite in the sliding acetyl drive shaft parts helps reduce stiction that can build up over time from acetyl-on-acetyl spalling.
As with any older drives containing acetyl components, some cracked sprockets and axle gears needed replacement over their 12+ year life. The drive components are likely a lot older, as I bought them long after the kits first came to the market.
I look forward to finishing dual-tower P&D drives in a number of Red Caboose GP9 kits. On these I'm installing larger lower drive sprockets for even slower running, at the expense of more chain noise at a given track speed.
As others have said, the Atlas SW drive is a beauty, designed like a scaled-up HO drive. They make good looking models, especially after replacing a number of details. But that is work I enjoy.
Originally Posted by railroad-guy:
I do agree that new gearing and such would be a great if not expensive solution. Sometimes you have to work with what you have.
Dan:
You make a very cogent case for going O scale and working with what is currently available. I especially like the results that you obtained on your Atlas RS-1s.
For those who may have missed Dan's article on his conversion, here is the link to the O Scale Resource Magazine article:
http://oscale.uberflip.com/i/149041
Kinda makes me want to take my three rail Atlas GP9s and F3s and go find 2 rail chassis for them. Minor problem as to where I would run them though.....................
Regards,
Jerry
From page 1:
Atlas' SW8-9 switcher proved that it's possible for them to build a smooth running low cost scale loco if they really want to .....DaveB
They apparently really did want to, but the market did not support it.
I have not seen the newest Sunset Diesel drives perform yet - maybe if I go to OSW I will see one. My impression is that if you want to have imperceptible starts and stops like the real railroads, you might need pulse power, even with very low gear ratios. Dan's video seems to prove that one can get fairly realistic results.
bob2. My horizontal drive Sunset UP E7s and Rio Grande FT's both have "excellent" low speed and thru the range performance.
I just tested the E7s. The E7 A and B units both have independent Q3 ET Titan Magnum decoders and therefore no tether. Two independent units both with horizontal drives. They start creeping at speed step 1 on my NCE DCC system( set to 128 speed steps). They run smooth and quiet (with the sound down).
I think the FT's have the current production Q2 QSI Titan firmware. But as an ABBA with drawbars between all four units low speed is similar and excellent. Four can motors drawbar linked can only help smooth things whether or not it's needed.
In both cases I ran them in and carefully lubed everything. Also, I set the DCC momentum up pretty high which really makes them fun to watch when they accelerate and decalerate.
