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 Posted - September 29 2006 : 5:10:50 PM
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I gotta train show comin up in a few weeks and I wanna know how a couple of engines runs, so I know what to buy if i see anythin. How do Sharks and S630s run?
If I was to put a turbo train on my track using my power pack instead of a slot car controller how would the train run?
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Posted - September 30 2006 : 12:21:47 AM
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DaCheez:
Plastic RF-16s (Baldwin Sharks) are mediocre runners as offered by Tyco; reasonably-good as recently sold by Model Power and extremely good (very high quality) as originally marketed by Model Power and manufactured by RoCo of Austria.
Tyco's Super Alco 630s are saddled with the same mediocre drive as the plastic Sharks. They are "satisfactory" at best. Per the recommendations of Forum members in response to your other topics, try to obtain some old mu-powered Tycos: Alco 430s, EMD-Fs or GP-20s. I don't know what liveries you prefer but note there are really-well done examples of the 430, EMD-F and GP-20 in Canadian National paint and VIA and early CP in the EMD-F as well.
Should you happen to stumble upon an original Mantua/Tyco diecast RF-16 "Shark" (in the line-up until 1961) buy it... the old sharks are superb.
MagAc
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Posted - September 30 2006 : 12:05:34 PM
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| Thanks for the info Mag. Over the past little while I've seen a few venders selling what looks like whole Tyco estates that they have bought, so hopefully there will be some good stuff there.
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Posted - September 30 2006 : 5:17:03 PM
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DaCheez:
"Up-Nort" as you are I expect you'll run into the Cox products with some regularity as well. Tony Cook, the "professor emeritus" of Tyco and creator of this great site has Cox info as well, if you're unfamiliar with their stuff. Their Canadian arm released some terrific sets, often with the "Trainscapes" cranes and docks as supplements. Their EMDs are VERY RELIABLE performers (in CP and others). The early Cox releases, in fact, are reboxed Athearn products so are quite good.
Magnolia Academy
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Posted - September 30 2006 : 8:23:06 PM
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| I don't have any cox stuff but I don't really know anythin about them. Are they like tyco or are they just another company thats gone out of business. I'll have to take a look at the site Tony made.
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Posted - October 01 2006 : 11:26:30 AM
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DaCheez:
Cox sure aint just "another company that's gone out of business," my young friend.
Their Trainscapes accessory line was extensive, innovative and well-made--so much so that AHM picked up the tooling and offered parts of same after Cox's demise.
Their military trains are the benchmark standard in HO and serve as the basis for all the AHM and Model Power army trains you see now. Their logging train was popular as well (Big Pine Lumber) both in US and Canada.
Check out Tony's Cox site!
MagAc
ps: Cox offered engines in a gorgeous Ontario Northland livery as well
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Posted - October 01 2006 : 12:34:07 PM
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Ontario Northland?? Nice. I'm sure I must have seen a Ontario Northland engine at some point but I can't picture it. The tracks in the field across the street from my house usually have CP and Ottawa Central engines pulling the short trains that go by every so often. You don't know of anyone who makes an Ottawa Central engine do you?? I'd love to get one of those.
I took a quick look at some of the stuff Tony has on his site and it looked pretty cool. How much would one of those Cox army trains cost today?? I've seen an army train by life like or athern or one of those big companies, but I think each car cost between $20-$30 and then theres the engine. I aint payin $150 for one train. I could go buy a brand new PC set for less than that and it would come with track and everythin.
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Posted - October 01 2006 : 9:31:20 PM
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DaCheez:
Cox... pretty way cool, eh? The freight docks and cranes and operating conveyors and cargo ships are really impressive on a layout. Look out for the big master boxes with many of the components together.
Regarding the army train, I'd suggest looking for a loose set if you're just operating and don't care about the "collectibility factor" of boxed items.
If you look at the internet auction sites like ebay, just search "army" or "military" under the "Model RR, Trains" category and you'll see many army train auction lots that go for $25 or less. As I said in a prior mail, the AHM and Model Power military cars are often just modern releases made from the old Cox tooling with little or no difference for way-less money. I've put together pretty grand army trains for friends and fellow collectors--generally using old Cox and AHM and Model Power military cars--for less than $40.
Regarding your upcoming show: Good Hunting!
Magnolia Academy
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Posted - October 01 2006 : 10:03:53 PM
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I have the Cox intermodal crane... it's an awesome, massive piece. A little overbuilt, but impressive. And Fun!
Once I have the space to expand my layout, someday, I will certainly be building an intermodal facility... the Cox crane, Tyco overheads, and Tyco powered unloader should make for quite a scene...
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Posted - October 01 2006 : 11:03:41 PM
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GinCz is spot-on about the Cox intramodal stuff--look for it while you can still find it (frequently as new old stock). Get yourself a dockside crane set, ship dock, land-loading dock and you've got a terrific point-to-point operation. There was a great full-color insert included with the big Trainscapes sets showing two boys operating a very expansive floor layout of all the Cox offerings. It is still impressive and probably sold many a train-hungry kid on Cox. Oh, and by the way: should you find the Cox "Dockside Ship" models that went with the facilities--get all you can carry off if the price is right--they're scarce as hen's teeth. Seems for every hundred docks they made Cox mighta made one ship. As a result, there just aint enough Cox ships to satisfy the demand (as far as on-line auctions go, anyway.)
As GoinginCirclz pointed out, the TYCO piggyback unloaders would make a great adjunct to the Cox items. And, as you're in Canada, look out for the Lima piggyback loading facility as well--the detail is very good, the quality, very high.
Magnolia Academy
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Posted - October 02 2006 : 4:45:06 PM
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How big are the Cox ships? I'll have to watch out for the cox ship yard pieces.
I do have a couple of random Lima pieces lyin around so I'm sure I'll see some of those. Most of the people here who collect trains are grown ups who can afford to buy top-o-the line stuff and sell off all their old pieces. Most of this old stuff such as Tyco, Lima and probably Cox just sits in stores on the used rack for months.
There's a hobby shop in a small town outside Ottawa that sells nuttin but trains. This is the best place I know of to go for used trains. It's where I got my Canadiana and I've seen various other Tyco shells there.
-DaCheez
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Posted - October 03 2006 : 5:53:52 PM
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DaCheez:
Regarding Lima I was specifically referring to their piggyback loading sets and their piggyback TOFCEE (trailer on flatcar service) flats. The tractor trailers supplied by Lima were very nice as well, with Sealand and Dunlop coming to mind as striking examples.
The cox freighter is too small for "scale" at 19 or 20 inches long, but long enough to provide good tranship atmosphere. They are a very neat accessory to the crane and dock set-up.
MagAc
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