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 Posted - October 15 2013 : 2:48:19 PM
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Just creeping out from the shadows to note, as we say in my day job: "I (finally) fixed the glitch" so my site is back online.
And with it, the interview I mentioned a few times in the past is now available. Let it not be said I cloister information in secretive obscurity. But at something like 25 pages, it's a doozy.
I hope you enjoy and share any comments. My contact has recently undergone surgery entailing a lengthy recovery, so if you have any words of appreciation for his shared perspective, I will pass them along.
Regards,
-Tony L.
(EDIT: Duh, I'm out of practice around here. Forgot a direct link: http://www.goingincirclez.com/TycoTrains/Woodbury )
Edited by - spiderj76 on October 15 2013 2:53:21 PM
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Posted - October 15 2013 : 3:01:27 PM
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Spider J, as I said in my comments, it was an outstanding interview. I enjoyed it so much that I read it twice so that I could really digest it, great work! I was so surprised to read about how companies were about the royalties to be on the side of a box car. I wonder how many cars were out there that got turned down and had to go straight to the trash can. Those could never be on eBay because they are illegal. The double PT motors, WOW!!! It was really informative reading. Do you plan on posting a picture of how the device he sent you would work? Thanks again.
Edited by - GG-1 Guy on October 15 2013 3:18:05 PM
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Posted - October 15 2013 : 3:12:45 PM
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I just saw those... dang, you guys are quick, that was like less than a day after I fixed it? I almost feel missed, ha ha :)
I appreciate the kind words though, thank you.
As for the tool, that's a fair question but it'll be a while before I get around to ripping a unit apart for demonstration under the photo tent. It's kinda hard to explain but once you "see" or "imagine" how it works, it's obvious. The prongs basically slip between the armature cover and the motor block, to hold the springs down while inserting the terminal tabs. You can then slide the tool out and the springs pop up against the terminal tabs, and you can tighten the cover all the way. It makes a more consistent process if you're assembling these by the dozens. But for one-off repairs and troubleshooting, etc - especially considering the terminal tabs are already installed and much more troublesome to separate from the cover at this point - it's not really an absolute necessity.
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Posted - October 15 2013 : 5:14:40 PM
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Great stuff! I always pondered about the PT being similar to a Aurora cars!
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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 Posted - October 15 2013 : 7:18:19 PM
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Fantastic interview. Very thoughtful questions. Even though we don't really have the source any longer for those 4 aforementioned billboard cars we've always speculated about, we now have an idea as to WHY they were never mass-produced.
I was also surprised that the initial mock-ups of these "Famous Four" didn't appear in Bob Beers' (or the Dan's Train Depot) prototype collections/auctions over the years.
Thank you Tony for sharing this outstanding information.
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Posted - October 15 2013 : 7:24:11 PM
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GG-1...Looking at the armature tool, I believe it could be developed using a ladies hairpin...the type that is hollow in the middle, and shaped like a 7.62 round. They are about 3 inches in length, and maybe an inch wide (possibly 1/2 inch). Clip and fold to suit the design need. The square center tab would be the kicker in the configuration.
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Posted - October 15 2013 : 8:48:17 PM
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Tony, long time no hear. I hope you don't see your shadow and vanish into your lair again. 
Cool article, and a lot of work.  I've only skimmed a bit but here are a few notes: on the 2-10-4, I think that production model was a brass one-off. The upper edges of the coal bunker look like brass sheet, and the bunker appears empty. I doubt it would have been nearly that detailed if it had ever made production.
About the dual PT trucks, I tried that years ago in a Shark with limited success. His point about a spur gear drive is valid, but only if it's freewheeling like Lionel's early robust steam loco drives. The PT drives weren't, so when one truck would get sluggish, it was hell on the other, and I was constantly cleaning out the motors to keep them running at optimal speed. Eventually the pinions started slipping from the stress of one dragging the other around.
The Tyco Depot
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Posted - October 15 2013 : 11:39:19 PM
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Tony, I discovered this interview on your site several days ago and have read through most of it. There's some really cool insight into the inner workings of Tyco, as well as some great history. Thanks for posting and keep doing what you're doing! 
Eric
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Helm
Little Six
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Posted - October 16 2013 : 07:42:52 AM
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Welcome back!
Great interview - explains so much about the rise and fall of Tyco.
Thanks!!!
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Posted - October 16 2013 : 4:00:26 PM
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Glad to hear it Tony!
~John
Many have tried to, and failed, ya just can't repair stupid... 
Do NOT try to Idiot-Proof anything!!!! God, will simply create a better......IDIOT!
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Posted - October 27 2013 : 9:33:48 PM
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| Thanks Tony for that interview. Awesome article, you continue to out do yourself. I've learned quite a bit from you over the years. That article nailed a few questions I've had for years.
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Posted - October 28 2013 : 04:12:07 AM
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Awesome job! Nice read. 
John
I don't have a one track mind. It depends on the turn-out.
"I love your catenary!"
Is that a power-trip or just another pick-up line?
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Posted - December 06 2014 : 7:53:09 PM
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sj:
I really love this interview. So insightful and so many details.
Now I'm kicking around the idea of making a "PT done right", according to what the original plans may have been. Maybe get a steel or bronze pinion from somewhere, upgrade the motor magnets to higher-grade Aurora slot car ones, if I can find some that work. I wonder what the original magnet material was, that was said to be stronger than those eventually used. Maybe just a higher grade of ceramic?
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Posted - December 07 2014 : 02:05:44 AM
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Very interesting article, thanks for posting.I've been wondering why I haven't seen those 2-10-4's they kept showing in the catalogs.
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Posted - December 07 2014 : 6:13:59 PM
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An excellent interview! This answers so many questions. It's literally a treasure trove of inside information. I have a new found respect for the PT, even though my Royal Blue just spun the gear off of the rotor lol. I've been busy converting a junk tender chassis to MU-2, but now I'll have to repair the PT as well.
I wonder how many dual PT engines we'll see after this????
~ Dave
They're ALL toys
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Posted - April 15 2021 : 10:23:01 PM
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sorry to bump the topic but the link does not work so here is a new one.
http://web.archive.org/web/20141014022339/http://www.goingincirclez.com/TycoTrains/Woodbury
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Posted - April 16 2021 : 7:56:16 PM
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| I tired the new link but can't get it to come up on the archive site. What to do?
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Posted - April 16 2021 : 9:14:27 PM
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quote:I tired the new link but can't get it to come up on the archive site. What to do?
Originally posted by Top_Jimmy - April 16 2021 : 7:56:16 PM
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This site reads those links as two separate links (for some reason). To view the interview you'll need to copy the *entire* link and paste it into your browser.
Edited by - kristofer4301 on April 16 2021 9:14:49 PM
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Posted - April 17 2021 : 12:55:18 AM
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| Got it. Thanks much! Great read!
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