Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2008 21:44:52 GMT
Tenshodos or Black Beetles? Simple as that! I will be putting two motor bogies in one vehicle in my 6-car Q stock set and I need to know which one of the above will give the best performance, durability, controlability, etc.. Thanks all.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2008 22:40:10 GMT
I have not used either but, for what it is worth, the magazines such as Model Rail seem to use Black Beetles when illustrating building a kit or modifying a model.
|
|
metman
Global Moderator
5056 05/12/1961-23/04/2012 RIP
Posts: 7,421
|
Post by metman on Oct 27, 2008 22:40:27 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2008 9:27:25 GMT
There is, of course, the point that Black Beetles are made in Australia and therefore are inherently superior to products of other countries.
|
|
metman
Global Moderator
5056 05/12/1961-23/04/2012 RIP
Posts: 7,421
|
Post by metman on Oct 28, 2008 9:34:18 GMT
And the Tenshodo ones are made in Japan.....
I'd go for 2 black beetles wired together however!
|
|
neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
|
Post by neilw on Oct 28, 2008 11:23:27 GMT
Black Beetles are much smoother running. You could also check out John Polley's new product, "Endo" bogies-I've no first hand experience, but maybe worth a look.......
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2008 13:31:48 GMT
I have a six car 92TS which uses two tenshodos at each end. While the Black Beetle bogies are smoother by themselves, I find that having several tenshodos on the same unit tends to average out any roughness at slow motion (using a Lenz gold decoder to drive them helps). You can probably get away with 3 motors bogies, but if you have gradients on your layout running 4 motors for this length of train gives you the extra horses needed.
Neilw mentioned the Endo bogies which are an option, but don't know anyone who's tested them. I would be interested to know more on this point.
|
|
metman
Global Moderator
5056 05/12/1961-23/04/2012 RIP
Posts: 7,421
|
Post by metman on Oct 28, 2008 18:19:11 GMT
As would I! Endo bogies would only be suitable for tube stock as the wheelbase is only 26mm! My first A stock train is running very poorly actually. It is a four car train with a tenshodo motor bogie at the trailing end of each DM. I may have to run a busline between the two motors  |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2008 18:24:53 GMT
I use two pin microconnectors as couplings between the cars and these connect the full length of the train as well as carry power to each car for lights, compressors etc. I have found this to work well over points and dead bits of track. This more work bit worth the effort.
|
|
metman
Global Moderator
5056 05/12/1961-23/04/2012 RIP
Posts: 7,421
|
Post by metman on Oct 28, 2008 19:33:52 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2008 19:48:49 GMT
Those are the ones!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2008 12:22:36 GMT
Thanks guys. I already have three EFE sets that are motorised with the tenshodo bogie. I put two in one coach as wiring them together is s-o-o-o-o-o much easier than fitting pick-ups to the trailing bogie or bus lines etc.. I think I may use Black Beetles after reading the above. For a start, I can have spoked wheels on them! They also have 12mm wheels. Two will go in the Q38 trailer. This is an old Harrow Models whitemetal one while the rest of the train will be resin so the motors will be where the weight is! As for a layout..... I'm still working on getting that particular idea past the Wife!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2008 14:06:53 GMT
Glyn, Would be interested in learning more about your Q38 project, as I have a 6 car -resin- unit planned for building in the not too distant future (still building layout). You certainly do have the room in surface stock for the Black Beetles (and they are quieter than tenshodos); withe the weight of the white metal car for traction unit, this should work.
My wife says that if I spend one more weekend in the "train room" she will leave me. God, I'll miss her!
|
|
metman
Global Moderator
5056 05/12/1961-23/04/2012 RIP
Posts: 7,421
|
Post by metman on Oct 29, 2008 17:55:46 GMT
Glyn, be careful about the levels of the black bettles, especially with 12mm wheels, it may sit higher than the other cars. Also, the chasis aren't designed for a BB so you may have work to do! It'll be worth it tho.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2008 18:09:54 GMT
You can always re-wheel the Black Beetles, as they have 2mm axle shafts. Romford wheels will work, I've found.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2008 16:01:11 GMT
I'll just use the old motto that I used when I used to stack shelves a l-o-o-o-o-ng time ago.... If it doesn't fit, MAKE it fit!!!  As detailed on another thread, the Q set I'm building will only have two Q38s in a set of six vehicles. The Q23 DM has returned from my friends paint shop and will receive transfers sometime in the next few days. The ride height on the Harrow Q38 trailer has been lowered to the correct height in relation to the Q23 DM. Originally the top of the clerestory roof on the Q23 was nearly level with the top of the roof on the Q38. That will never do!  Fitting Black Beetles to the correct height shouldn't be a problem when compared to some of my other bodges engineering masterpieces. Let's face it, if I'm contemplating a sleet Loco, ANYTHING is possible! ;D |
|
As detailed on another thread, the Q set I'm building will only have two Q38s in a set of six vehicles. The Q23 DM has returned from my friends paint shop and will receive transfers sometime in the next few days. The ride height on the Harrow Q38 trailer has been lowered to the correct height in relation to the Q23 DM. Originally the top of the clerestory roof on the Q23 was nearly level with the top of the roof on the Q38. That will never do! 
