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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2017 12:06:06 GMT -5
I few questions ... I plan PERHAPS using these cars on my layout, as a 2 unit train ... 1) Are there traction tyres (indicated nowhere) ? Will they "climb" a slope of 1,5% ? 2) Can they run coupled together with their own couplers (definitive design : minimum radius 270mm, no "S-curves" without at least one piece of straight strack, minimum length 220mm, excepted perhaps for turnouts) ? Or is this modification absolutely NEEDED : coupling bar, as written in former topic ? I saw it exists for F3-A-B units, can it be sold separately, and is it suitable for the Budd's ? And about the motors, should I not better remove one motor (different speeds) and run the train like the german "Schienenbus", with only one motor and the second car "unmotorized" ? Thanks for any answer ... P.S. The German distributor, www.1zu220-shop.de/, looks fine and the prices are very low ...
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Post by markm on Mar 20, 2017 13:25:43 GMT -5
The RDCs are a lot of fun. They are so different from what you see on the railroads here that people always comment on them. I have 4 and find them to be good runners and the performance is fairly well matched between the units. They first generation units don't have traction tires, I don't know about the new generation, but I'd suspect not. I don't have any problems running single units up a 2% grade. I think Rob(A)'s post summarizes the coupling issues well: www.azlforum.com/post/9047My units are first generation and I don't run my units coupled (like the prototypes), but have played with them coupled. They might work on your layout, but turnouts can be a challenge. You'd be better with a draw bar, which wouldn't be hard to make. The RDC design is a bit unusual. It uses drive shafts to power the trucks. You wouldn't need to remove the motor, just the shafts. Also the design uses slots in the car shell to hold the trucks in place. Removing the shell will allow the trucks to drop and the shafts to fall out...be forewarned. We can go into more detail if you're interested. Mark
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Post by smr on Mar 20, 2017 13:59:40 GMT -5
I am using the WP Budd RDCs and the SP Budd RDC extensively. They are perfect for smaller layouts. They climb 1.5% without problems. I use them with no modification. No coupling bar needed. Best, Sven
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2017 14:48:08 GMT -5
Unfortunately they are no longer available (I looked at eBay, I saw only a Canadian version ; I would have bought the ATSF ! ), NH ran them in MU. But on the second picture (I saw it already), there seems to be a car coupled to the Budd ? ?
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Post by cwrr on Mar 20, 2017 15:04:44 GMT -5
Anthony over at Zscalemonster.com has some......
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Post by markm on Mar 20, 2017 15:11:43 GMT -5
Alberich, The ATSF units always ran as a pair. It was suggested to AZL that they should consider a reissue of the SP & ATSF in the original paint schemes. So who knows (besides Hans and Rob) there might be a surprise in the new release. In the last years of operation of SP #10 on the SP, it pulled a heavyweight mail storage car for pickup in Davis.
Mark
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2017 15:19:50 GMT -5
First I heard : Presented at the end of July and available ... at the beginning of 2018 ? When I plan something, my base is what exists and not what will PERHAPS exist ... Now I saw that the TRE ARE the new version. Can we hope to see some other versions next time ? But the problem with MU will still be present. Question : what would happen, if I run the 2 units coupled together without any modification at the motors ? Would the wheels "slip" ? Or could one (or both) motor(s) overheat and get damaged ? If I should modify one RDC, I would remove the shafts AND the motor, or at least disconnect it ; I think it is not good if it runs continuously without any load. And unmounting the motor removes some weight, which should be good running "upwards" ; and it gives me a spare motor for the other RDC !
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Post by dazed on Mar 20, 2017 19:22:02 GMT -5
When I plan something, my base is what exists and not what will PERHAPS exist ... If you plan based on what already exists, you're probably too late....as *many* things tend to sell out quickly.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Mar 20, 2017 23:02:38 GMT -5
Question : what would happen, if I run the 2 units coupled together without any modification at the motors ? Would the wheels "slip" ? Or could one (or both) motor(s) overheat and get damaged ? You can run 2 units coupled together without any modifications. We designed them to be operated that way without any concerns or problems. There will be no damage to the motors at all. If I should modify one RDC, I would remove the shafts AND the motor, or at least disconnect it ; I think it is not good if it runs continuously without any load. And unmounting the motor removes some weight, which should be good running "upwards" ; and it gives me a spare motor for the other RDC ! This is the incorrect solution, and it will result in damage to the powered unit. Alberich, The ATSF units always ran as a pair. It was suggested to AZL that they should consider a reissue of the SP & ATSF in the original paint schemes. So who knows (besides Hans and Rob) there might be a surprise in the new release. In the last years of operation of SP #10 on the SP, it pulled a heavyweight mail storage car for pickup in Davis. Mark Hmmm.... ATSF and SP reissue. Now why didn't I think of that! Enjoy! -Rob(A) AZL
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Post by markm on Mar 20, 2017 23:31:01 GMT -5
Rob, You know that May 2017 will be the 65th anniversary of the ATSF release of the prototype RDCs? Mark
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Post by cwrr on Mar 21, 2017 8:38:55 GMT -5
Oops!!
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Post by markm on Mar 21, 2017 10:01:45 GMT -5
No, the ATSF units were RDC-1s. An RDC-3 was half passenger and baggage/RPO and actually looks like this: The models shown are the post accident (January 23, 1956: www.lafire.com/famous_fires/1956-0122_SantaFeTrainWreck/1956-0122_SantaFeTrainWreck.htm ) when ATSF rebuilt the control cab of one unit for freight and baggage. After the rebuild the units spent a few years in Kansas and finished their career on the Santa Fe in the mid-1960s as the El Pasoan, running between Albuquerque and El Paso. An interesting bit of trivia is that the RDCs, as modeled by AZL, represents just two years of operation: 1954-1955. Mark
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Post by boxcarwilly on Mar 21, 2017 10:57:27 GMT -5
Not one to nit pic but I had to experiment with my 2 Budd's in order to find out which way to run them without throwing each other off the track. I found that right out of the box, coupled together, they don't work all that well, but after switching around, end for end and putting one in front of the other, I found the right combination that would remain coupled even on 45 degree curves. However, they will not work on S bends without a transition straight in between. The rapid change in direction always throws the trailing RDC off the track. I found also that the coupler box doesn't provide enough swing. Unless this problem has been solved, this could be the case again. Experiment, experiment, experiment.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2017 11:07:06 GMT -5
Thanks for all Your answers. I see that things are not so clear and easy as I was thinking first ! And in case of doubt ...
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Budd RDC
Mar 21, 2017 11:13:32 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by shamoo737 on Mar 21, 2017 11:13:32 GMT -5
If you cut back the whiskers on the couplers, it will allow a greater swing.
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