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 Posted - January 19 2010 : 3:00:35 PM
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Hi everyone! I am getting back into model RR cuz my son is becoming a train fanatic. Currently, we are building a layout that has some elevated track and mild grades. I originally came here to research converting my 1970's TYCO F7's to have 2 motors (if possible) and also to find out if anyone has sources for replacement TYCO F7 geared wheels in nickel silver instead of the old brass. The plastic wheels on some are cracked and if I choose to replace them I figure go with the ones that require the least maintenance. I look forward to communciating with you all and posting some pics and pitching in with my experiences from time to time!!
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Posted - January 19 2010 : 8:18:39 PM
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Welcome to the forum! I assume your engine has a PT motor in it. There is no source to find new geared wheelsets, but luckily there are plenty of parts around. You could also consider dropping the shell onto an Athearn F7 drive (it should fit with a little modification). I'm sure some others on here can help you out. :)
cheez
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Posted - January 19 2010 : 9:06:05 PM
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| Welcome...
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Posted - January 19 2010 : 10:42:01 PM
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Hi - got to ask out of curiosity - why the 666 ending on your id?
added 1-20-10
someone enlightened me that New Jersey is sometimes called the devil state because of the so called Jersey Devil creature that has been reported by the thousands in the Jersey pines region
Edited by - Brianstyco on January 20 2010 09:44:56 AM
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Posted - January 20 2010 : 01:15:00 AM
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^It's 666 because he's evil, duh. Obviously our forum has been infiltrated by the dark side! 
As for the original question...sure, you can wire two trucks together to get some extra power, but I tend to agree with Cheez about the Athearn repower.
I may get kicked out for saying this, but here it is. I would recommend saving the Tycos for yourself and get the kid an Athearn. Tycos are fun, but they are "high maintenance" in the long run. They aren't always dependable. You have to maintain them well to keep them running, and even then they aren't great performers.
So to prevent frustration and keep your kid interested, pick up a cheap old blue box Athearn. Excellent examples can be found on ebay for under $30, but a little searching...especially at train shows...may yield even better deals. I recently purchased a solid runner for $3, and all it needed was some cleaning.
Bottom line: we need kids getting into this hobby. Get him a dependable, low maintenace locmotive. Avoid frustration and keep the playtime running smoothly. Keep the tyco loco for yourself to "tinker" with. Tyco rolling stock on the other hand is a great affordable way to build a functional fleet.
That's my two cents.
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Posted - January 20 2010 : 06:16:13 AM
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Sage advice there "King of the Nreds!"
-Gareth
"A is A"
-Aristotle
Law of Identification
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Posted - January 20 2010 : 10:04:52 AM
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P.S - welcome back to the fun of trains with your son and B77 gave some good advice - to my knowledge - no one makes replacement nickel silver wheel sets - but if they did - would be great. On running Tyco locomotives - use nickel silver track and a good transformer for best running performance - i have a maintenance video up to show you what to oil on tyco locomotive and how to replace traction tires - here is link to it on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-HPH84yREg
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Posted - January 20 2010 : 11:21:54 AM
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You'd do well to follow B77's advice, as it's what I've done with my girls. Bethany has a pile of trains all her own that I might have killed for at her age, including several locos. But I finally said "enough" when it came to all the balky Tyco, Kader, AHM, and other serviceable-but-still-junk RTR cheapies I'd given her, which were only causing problems and disappointments and more time "fixing" and less "playing". So I finally gave her a couple Athearn soldiers: dirty steel track, sluggish rolling stock and an excitable hand at the throttle? Doesn't matter with an Athearn - with 8-wheel pickup, 8-wheel drive and flywheels on a geep, they'll plow through anything a child's innocent neglect and excitement can throw at them. With a metal frame and handrails and thick plastic shells, they're actually even more rugged and durable than any Life-Like, Bachmann and AHM loco - Tyco too. So she's got plenty of locos to mix things up now and then, but the Athearns are the new workhorses. It's better for everyone this way.
Now rolling stock, yeah - Tyco's great for that. No stupid kingpins to lose (AHM), or coupler pocket covers to pop off (Athearn), or separate detail parts to break (everyone). Bright colors and billboard schemes she loves, in addition to the "realistic" cars I've snuck in there as well.
Plus you just can't beat Tyco's operating accessories for lasting fun. Give them a conveyor belt loader ("coal" or "grain"), or one of bulldozer accessories (log car or coal dumper) with some extra colored beads for loads, and they'll be in another universe for hours!
But Tyco locos? For every one person they got into the hobby, they probably chased 3 away. So don't walk, run... and go with Athearn, who earned his sainthood long ago for good reason.
Edited by - GoingInCirclez on January 20 2010 11:26:27 AM
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Posted - January 20 2010 : 5:23:43 PM
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I "cringe" when I hear about folks digging out there Tyco stuff from the 60s and 70s and expecting it to run nicely for the enjoyment for there kids...Im thankful that I had the foresight when I got my kid into HO to buy that Model Power Metaltrain set...otherwise he would off lost interest at the "balky" performance .
BT
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Posted - January 21 2010 : 1:10:32 PM
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Many thanks for the advice everybody!! Yeah...I dreaded to have to fix up the old tyco locos but I got em running OK. All have MU-2 motors. I will poke around e-bay and see what I can find Athearn-wise. My son is a "disaster lover" when it comes to MRR so he gets a kick out of the derailings and uncouplings that ultimately lead to rear-end smash ups. And if a section of freight train falls to the floor he is estatic. He's got the Gomez Adams gene!! That's why there'll be no big $$$ trains until he gets older--way older.
Too bad nobody makes nikcel silver replacement wheels for the F7 diesels.
As for the 666 at the end of my id....I'm a BIG NJ Devils fan!!
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Posted - January 21 2010 : 1:57:19 PM
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quote: He's got the Gomez Adams gene!!
Originally posted by moseby666-January 21 2010: 1:10:32 PM
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Ray
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Posted - October 11 2010 : 10:51:21 AM
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Welcome to the Tyco forum. The Tyco F7 can easily be double powered. Just got to get the right body. Mantua sold a power truck to do just that. Also hello from Bayonne.
frank
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
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Posted - October 11 2010 : 3:19:51 PM
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| welcome to our club & watch for my Dumpster-Cam
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Posted - October 11 2010 : 11:02:10 PM
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Welcome, fellow Garden Stater!
from a FLYERS fan!
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