Subject:
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Re: New non-magnetic coupler design
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains, lugnet.cad
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Date:
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Mon, 28 May 2001 22:25:41 GMT
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Viewed:
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604 times
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In lugnet.trains, Christopher Masi writes:
> Hey all,
>
> I finally had the chance to run my trains this weekend. If you don't know, I
> have been building my trains 8-wide, and the size and weight of my cars was
> causing a problem.
> The surging that the long cars cause as they go through the corners is so
> extreme that at power settings of 5 and 6 (on the LEGO speed regulator) the
> magnetic couplers kept uncoupling. Inserting a motor near the end of the train
> actually made the problem worse.
> I needed couplers that would not uncouple. My first attempt was strong, but it
> had some problems. I think my second attempt solves the problem fairly well. I
> use a small Technic bushing, a #2 Technic axle, a steering connector (part
> name?), and a 1x4 rounded technic plate with hole at each end. The connector
> fits onto the standard buffer or a 2x2-with-center-hole plate. The good things
> about this coupler design are (1) it is strong, (2) it is relatively easy to
> couple and uncouple cars (no snapping of bricks onto pegs, just a slip over the
> top of an axle), and (3) because the couplers are the same at both ends of the
> car there is no correct end issue.
> Oh, another thing that I noticed about these couplers is that, since they have
> some give, putting a motor at the end of the train doesn't eliminate the
> surging, but it eliminates the annoying surging noise that comes from the motors
> at the front of the train.
> Well, here are some MLCAD screen shots. If you want the files let me know.
> I'll probable post the .dat files sometime in the not too distant future.
>
> http://cmasi.chem.tulane.edu/~lego/NOLTC/tech/new_truck/new_truck.htm
>
> By the way, I think that running my trains at high speed causes the track to
> separate. Do you think that this is strain caused by misaligned track, or is it
> just part of the hazard of running big trains as fast as you can? I should
> mention that my track is not snapped down, it is laid out in the living room on
> the carpet.
>
> Chris
I love your truck design. I might suggest using an axle piece 1 size shorter
than what is in your display, (a "2" instead of a "3", or similar) but
otherwise I have no complaint. As for your other problem, I think it is the
downside of running a big train as fast as possible. I've been known to have
the same problem with a Lionel train carrying their sub-scale Modern
Auto-Rack carrier [O-31 Scale]. It will clear an O-27 switch but will it
clear the signal beside the switch? The answer is usually found in a
derailment and a plastic support slat or 2 being knocked off the side of
the car.
-- James J.
"Don't just 'play well', play better!"
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: New non-magnetic coupler design
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| I just wanted to say thanks for the kind words. The Technic axle is a #2 not a #3. I also considered using a 1/2-connector-peg-1/2-axle-peg piece too. I might revisit that idea when I run out of #2 axles. The steering piece thingy could be replaced (...) (23 years ago, 29-May-01, to lugnet.trains, lugnet.cad)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | New non-magnetic coupler design
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| Hey all, I finally had the chance to run my trains this weekend. If you don't know, I have been building my trains 8-wide, and the size and weight of my cars was causing a problem. The surging that the long cars cause as they go through the corners (...) (23 years ago, 28-May-01, to lugnet.trains) !
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