Battery operated loco"s.

[zman50]

Are there any manufacture's that make G scale Battery operated locomotives?

 

[Rhinochugger]

Are there any manufacture's that make G scale Battery operated locomotives?

In the UK, there are some small manufacturers, and Roundhouse Engineering who are a fairly major player in Steam and R/C battery diesel

 

[Moonraker]

Companies who make ready-to-run radio controlled, battery powered locos in the UK are:

• Roundhouse Engineering - Roundhouse Engineering Co. Ltd. several diesels with or without sound starting at £550.
• Mamod - Mamod Shop with or without sound starting at £325.

Accucraft - Accucraft UK Ltd | Model Trains make a range of ready-to-run electric locos which can be converted to battery power. The easiest way is to put the batteries in a trailing wagon and run two wires through to the loco motor. You can also add radio control and a soundcard in the trailing wagon.

IP Engineering - http://www.ipengineering.co.uk/ make battery powered loco kits from £75

Regards
Peter Lucas
MyLocoSound

 

[dunnyrail]

Not forgetting the Piko 25 Tonner Track Cleaning Loco no RC on this. Plus LGB have recently done a Kids Set with Battery RC which will probably be a good inexpensive start point if available in USA. Also New Bright Do Battery Sets, Scale closer to Gauge 1 but a good cheep source for conversions if still available State Side.

 

[maxi-model]

Are there any manufacture's that make G scale Battery operated locomotives?

So, what type and actual scale of loco's are you looking for ? As you mention "G" we must assume you are looking to run on 45 mm gauge track and you are going to want supply sources that are convenient for you in the US.

That just leaves - Based on steam, diesel or electric prototypes ? (or even fireless !) Which scale ? - From 1:13.7 to 1:32. And what era and nationality interests you ? Then we can probably come up with some suggested ways of getting what you want either RTR or it may involve converting existing track powered stock. But then there are companies that specialise in providing the bits for conversions so that it is a fairly simple process. Max

Edit - Nearly forgot, what is your budget ?

 

[ge_rik]

PDF also make kits, mostly for 32mm gauge but some are 45mm - eg Alice Class – PDF Models

They range from £125 - £250.

Rik

 

[James M]

Essel Engineering make very good battery locomotives. I have several and have no problems at all with them.

 

[playmofire]

And for a cheap starter there's always the Playmobil diesel available secondhand:

Review Of Playmobil 5258 Rc Freight Train Set

Playmobil trains run on 45mm gauge “G scale” track. Playmobil used to produce track powered locos similar to LGB Toy Trains but moved on to battery powered radio control. This set uses newer and different radio control technology (28GHz) and a new and different motor block to previous...

www.gscalecentral.net

 

[Gardenbahner]

Has anyone tried any of these? How well do they run?

North Pilton Works Loco and rolling stock in 16mm & 7/8ths

 

[Northsider]

Swift Sixteen make some loco kits...
Swift Sixteen

 

[zman50]

So, what type and actual scale of loco's are you looking for ? As you mention "G" we must assume you are looking to run on 45 mm gauge track and you are going to want supply sources that are convenient for you in the US.

That just leaves - Based on steam, diesel or electric prototypes ? (or even fireless !) Which scale ? - From 1:13.7 to 1:32. And what era and nationality interests you ? Then we can probably come up with some suggested ways of getting what you want either RTR or it may involve converting existing track powered stock. But then there are companies that specialise in providing the bits for conversions so that it is a fairly simple process. Max

Edit - Nearly forgot, what is your budget ?

I just want a small engine to run on the LGB track like the ones that come with the starter sets. I don't want to add anything or retrofit anything. I just want a simple out of the box ready to run battery operated engine with a small remote. I cannot believe that there are not more options out there as battery is so popular. Thanks

 

[Rhinochugger]

I just want a small engine to run on the LGB track like the ones that come with the starter sets. I don't want to add anything or retrofit anything. I just want a simple out of the box ready to run battery operated engine with a small remote. I cannot believe that there are not more options out there as battery is so popular. Thanks

If you're looking at a mainstream manufacturer, the Piko track cleaner 25 tonner is probably the only one - surprisingly

The only other one I can think of is the little Playmobil diesel which looks way better than most Playmobil, but is very modern in appearance.

 

[idlemarvel]

Not that small, but Newqida do a RC 2-6-2 tank engine (Harz ballerina). It has plastic wheels and out of the box runs too fast and has harsh blue-white lights, but it is very cheap for what it is. You often see them on ebay, here's one:
G SCALE RC LOCO RADIO CONTROL LOCOMOTIVE REMOTE GARDEN 45mm GAUGE RAILWAY TRAIN | eBay

 

[Rhinochugger]

Not that small, but Newqida do a RC 2-6-2 tank engine (Harz ballerina). It has plastic wheels and out of the box runs too fast and has harsh blue-white lights, but it is very cheap for what it is. You often see them on ebay, here's one:
G SCALE RC LOCO RADIO CONTROL LOCOMOTIVE REMOTE GARDEN 45mm GAUGE RAILWAY TRAIN | eBay

Yup, but we have to remember that our friend is in the USA - which is why some of our smaller manufacturers won't be a lot of help.

Having said that, I'm not sure if 'Train' stock is readily available across the pond. It is also worth pointing out that it is limited in its operation - full ahead/ full astern is my understanding of it's R/C capabilities

 

[PhilP]

Yup, but we have to remember that our friend is in the USA - which is why some of our smaller manufacturers won't be a lot of help.

Ah.. I was about to offer one of these. - Bought ages ago, tried it once, put it back in the box..


Of course, now I could put something a lot smaller, and better in it!

 

[maxi-model]

I just want a small engine to run on the LGB track like the ones that come with the starter sets. I don't want to add anything or retrofit anything. I just want a simple out of the box ready to run battery operated engine with a small remote. I cannot believe that there are not more options out there as battery is so popular. Thanks

The problem is that the primary suppliers into the market all promote track power based systems. Their "added value" lies in the DCC add-ons to give the "walk around" control effect. They have no incentive to manufacture "turn key" R/C - battery powered locos -its just a load of extra cost and complexity to add to a product that there is already a known market for. Never mind having to design in extra space to install that extra gubbins into a small loco.

A lot of what has been suggested here has grown out of the 16mm scale branch of the garden railway hobby in the UK, which mostly run on both 45 & 32 mm gauge tracks. Why ? Because the UK 16 mm scale hobby started out as mainly live steam locos users with unpowered (and probably unsuited to conversion) layouts and looked to battery operation for alternatives. If you want a reliable little RTR product it will be one from Roundhouse, they have a US importer. They are in most people's eyes pricey, and tailored to British tastes, but they are recognised as the best. Max

 

[idlemarvel]

Yup, but we have to remember that our friend is in the USA - which is why some of our smaller manufacturers won't be a lot of help.

Having said that, I'm not sure if 'Train' stock is readily available across the pond. It is also worth pointing out that it is limited in its operation - full ahead/ full astern is my understanding of it's R/C capabilities

Newquida / Train are available on US ebay, from a US retailer, example here
G Scale Steam Train Engine Remote Control Dampflok Harzlich 50237058022 | eBay
It has mixed reviews but it is RTR RC

 

[Bill Barnwell]

I just want a small engine to run on the LGB track like the ones that come with the starter sets. I don't want to add anything or retrofit anything. I just want a simple out of the box ready to run battery operated engine with a small remote. I cannot believe that there are not more options out there as battery is so popular. Thanks

I've got a LGB/Marklin one from a Christmas set, the Christmas stickers come off if desired, for sale on face books g scale swap and shop if interested. ran it for about 10 minutes for the grand kids but it didn't have display or kill buttons so they weren't interested. Ran pretty good has sound, chuff whistle and bell, Bill

 

[RogerK]

I do not have any experience with these, but Lionel makes some "G Scale" battery operated train sets with remote control. Scale is roughly 1:24. Here is a VIDEO of one of their train sets and be found on-line in the US for $80.

Update: It apparently doesn't fit on standard G gauge track like LGB. Too wide.

 

[dunnyrail]

I do not have any experience with these, but Lionel makes some "G Scale" battery operated train sets with remote control. Scale is roughly 1:24. Here is a VIDEO of one of their train sets and be found on-line in the US for $80.

Update: It apparently doesn't fit on standard G gauge track like LGB. Too wide.

That looks an interesting set, ideal Chassis for us Battery Types to Jerk about with. Pity the import and postage costs to UK would put the price through the roof. But would certainly appear to be exactly what Zman is looking for.