Changing from G scale DCC to 16mm battery power.

Gardenbahner

Gardenbahner

Registered
Well, I've decided to join the (good/bad) guys and switch to battery power. For the usual reasons, I'm no longer able to clean and maintain my track on a regular basis. Therefore all my G scale and DCC gear has to go. I shall replace it with 16mm scale battery r/c locos and appropriate rolling stock. I have started by listing a couple of locos in the for sale section, but rather than adding more items on an Ad-Hoc basis, if anyone is looking for any particular items them please message me and if I can help I will list them next.

Eric
 
Oh, we're definitely the good guys! Characterised by constantly having locos or batteries on charge, and track that is liberally daubed with guano. But you can't beat the immediacy of deciding to run a train, putting a train on the line, and running it. It pays to have a hack battery loco to act as a 'road sweeper' on the first train of the day, knocking the twigs out of the way (or getting derailed by them!). Then send round the fancy/precious stuff. Can't beat it!
 
Of course, there is no reason you could not put batteries in your existing LGB loco's.. If you wanted, you could even keep the DCC as well.
:devil::devil::devil:

Unless you have decided you now prefer 16mm, of course? :):nod::nod:
 
Welcome to the battery club. You certainly won't regret it if my experience is anything to go by. When you say 16mm, do you mean you're intending to go uk based? As others have suggested, you could always convert existing stock to battery and even Anglicise eg my Stainz - How I 'Anglicised' an LGB Stainz loco

Rik
 
Yes, welcome to the battery side. You won’t regret it I’m sure. I kept my locos which were all DCC with Zimo decoders and sound systems. I have gone with Airwire (I’m in the US, but I understand similar stuff is available in The Old Country) so lost nothing and gained a great deal.
With the exception of my Bachmann Baldwin 2-4-2Ts and a small diesel, everything else is LGB chassis with UK style bodies.
You’ll have a blast!
 
Another welcome to the dark side. I have been batteryising sundry items of Locomotives over the years and have now reached a critical mass in that I have enough Battery Power for all of my Timetabling and running needs. As for your LGB Stock, it is most certainly worthwhile Considering converting a few of your LGB favourites. And as I have shown in here and Feb Garden Rail Battery DCC is now entirely suitable with all of the lovely sounds from a DCC Chip. Note also that I have a few Conversions with MyLocoSound Cards as well even including a Piko 25 Tonner. Noting that you are going further down the 16mm route, certainly certain LGB Items will fit with 16mm stock should you wish.
 
As folk have suggested, don't be too hasty in selling all your kit, some of us use LGB and similar on 16mm scale and even converted to 32 mm gauge. Mostly it looks fine and don't forget rule 8 and the elastic ruler
 
Lots of food for thought here and thanks for the advice. The obvious solution is a battery R/C trail car(s) to hook up and run as before. Then all I need to sell is my track rubber. :)
But I do prefer UK outline over continental and the amount of RTR and kits available now for the 16mm scene plus the ever growing range of Deltang based R/C equipment is drawing me to go down that route.
 
Welcome to real model railways! (Ducks and attempts to hide....). Seriously, you will almost certainly find you want to run more, as there is no need to do any preparation other than to ensure the track is clear of obstructions.

As others have said, think of converting some of your current stock. In-loco conversion is a bit intimidating at first, but not really all that difficult -and there is plenty of advice available here.
 
Keep the track rubber!

You still do not want too much crud about... It will get into the motion / bearings / etc. be messy, cause wear, and even lead to derailments, if let go too far..
 
Gardenbahner said:
But I do prefer UK outline over continental and the amount of RTR and kits available now for the 16mm scene plus the ever growing range of Deltang based R/C equipment is drawing me to go down that route.
Click to expand...

I think the development of 3D printing is driving a lot of possibilities for battery powered steam outline UK/Colonial NG locos rather than getting stuck with a limited range dismals and adapting non-prototypical track powered stock. OK, there is always GRS but that can get pricey (I have one of their L&B Exe's) and there are a lot of interesting things popping up from the smaller "artisan" suppliers - IP, Swift 16, etc'. I'm very interested in some of the product coming out of PDF. But how long till you get tempted down the live steam route ? :devil: Max
 
I can't remember the last time I cleaned my track. I tell a lie, I gave one section a bit of a scrub when I did some ballasting last year.... :eek:

I find that keeping the rails mucky improves adhesion.
Eg

Rik
 
Just converted an Aristo Rogers 2-4-2 >:)>:)>:)>:)>:)

249358

All of my small locos with short wheelbases are now battery (including the red big Bertha in the background).

Track power is for the large locos (2-8-0s and a 4-6-0) which also have tender pickups :nod::p
 
maxi-model said:
I think the development of 3D printing is driving a lot of possibilities for battery powered steam outline UK/Colonial NG locos rather than getting stuck with a limited range dismals and adapting non-prototypical track powered stock. OK, there is always GRS but that can get pricey (I have one of their L&B Exe's) and there are a lot of interesting things popping up from the smaller "artisan" suppliers - IP, Swift 16, etc'. I'm very interested in some of the product coming out of PDF. But how long till you get tempted down the live steam route ? :devil: Max
Click to expand...

Yes, I've seen the PDF stuff very nice but pricey. Done live steam before doesn't suit my small garden. :shake:
 
The CFR is now totally free of track power. I run a range of battery powered diesel locomotives and live steam locomotives.
The track is kept clean due to running trains most days of the week.
Before each running session a locomotive is run to ensure all tracks are clear of debris which might cause a derailment.
Most of my locomotives are Roundhouse Engineering products.
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My fleet of small diesels.
 
I'm at a "halfway house". All my small locos are battery powered while my large ones use track power. I find this works for me because my small locos now run faultlessly through points, dirty track etc. You know there is no chance of stalling no matter how slow you go. BPRC is truly driving the engine and not the track. Converting small locos using AA or AAA batteries and Deltang receivers is quite cheap and simple. I have no plans to convert my large locos to battery power. Firstly, with all those pick ups and a lot of weight they don't suffer running problems unless the track is really dirty. Secondly I think I would have to invest in some fairly expensive batteries to get reasonable running time out of locos running on up to 24 volts and drawing nearly 3 amps or more with the smoke units on. Thirdly I would have to use something more substantial than a Deltang receiver for these locos. Fourth - I don't have the dosh. I guess if item 4 wasn't a problem I would just might convert the larger ones. Anyway, its kind of nice to run little engines with sweet little trains one day and then big units with 18 foot trains the next.
 
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