Subject:
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Re: The Future of Trains
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.lego
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Date:
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Tue, 2 Oct 2007 04:34:06 GMT
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Viewed:
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18819 times
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Alright, I think that most of us could buy into a new system of trains, if the
right conditions were met.
Absolutely must have conditions:
1) Enough torque in each motor to pull at least 10 cars
2) Compact component(s) that do not inhibit creativity
3) Power source that will last at least 4 hours
4) Variable speed control from at least 20 meters away
5) Control signal that is not limited to direct line of sight
6) Control system allowing for at least 4 different trains to operate at once
Conditions that would cause me to 'upgrade':
1) Power source is the track
2) Controlled by Radio Frequency (RF) or through the track as DCC packets
3) Three axles per truck motor
4) Ability to add a separately controlled device on a momentary switch such as:
a steam generator, or train horn
5) Ability to add a separately controlled device on an on/off switch such as a
headlight or electro-magnetic coupler
Some other considerations:
Batteries are harmful to the environment, can be costly, and contribute to waist
If you absolutely have to go with batteries, consider purchasing a modern
technology battery from A123Systems. Also consider giving the trains charging
points that either contact the track, or on the bottom of each motorized truck.
This would enable batteries to be re-charged through 9V track rails or at an
isolated charging station like an engine shed or roundhouse.
Lastly, if you must have a battery powered system, consider hiding the battery
in the fuel tank. It would need to be a system where the aesthetic face could
be removed and exchanged for different fuel tank 'faces'; such as the current 9V
motor has aesthetic side pieces in black or gray.
Infrared (IR) technology is cheap and most people are getting smarter about its
line of sight needs. Please don't cheap out on your valued customers. IR
controllers are fine for some things, but not for this. If you have to go
wireless, please go with something robust like RF. It will certainly be worth
the pennies more that you will spend making them.
With the greatest of sincerity,
Scott Wardlaw
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: The Future of Trains
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| (...) Well, this is something of a blow to the LTC's doing shows. If the decision has been made to discontinue the line and work on a replacment, let us be proactive, and indicate the positives of the 9V system that should be worked into a new (...) (17 years ago, 1-Oct-07, to lugnet.lego)
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