LL USRA 0-8-0 factoid

[Mark5]

When reports of the LL 0-8-0s shipping with 3 pole motors came out I contacted Walthers as I have one on order from the 2nd run. The press releases/info on the site indicated 5 pole skew etc motor.

I finally got a response from them - the copy was wrong - it was designed to have a 3 pole motor. :

I assume (based on feedback) that it was geared to take this into account, and is able to move slowly (ie one tie at a time).

[up1950s]

Max says it runs smoothly at about 10SMP , below that it is not as smooth . My guess is if you have a cut in tow , and you are putting out more amps , it might go smoothly at a lesser speed . Maybe yes , maybe no .

[Mark5]

Heh, I hope this doesn't mean another re-motor project for me ...  >  Frankly it seems a bit ******** that any self-respecting manufacturer would release locos that can't operate prototypically at low speeds in this "day and age".

I get the impression sometimes that most N scalers come into this hobby direct from the NHRA ...

[Chris333]

At least they finally changed the descriptions on their website.

I think the excuse is BS, but oh well.

[Mark5]

At least they finally changed the descriptions on their website.

I think the excuse is BS, but oh well.

BS indeed.

I'm thinking about converting this beast to DC only ... I don't see myself consisting it.

Mark

[Chulvis]

I think I've had enough of the 0-8-0's. I have and will test all that come in, fill my orders, other than that I am over and out with these. Has been nothing but a pain in the a_s_s.

I'm done.

[Mark5]

On the bright side Max on the A-forum seems to have an easy cure for the lack of traction (where applicable).

here's the email I sent back to them:

Please pass this along to whoever made the decision to
put a 3 pole motor in the N SCALE USRA 0-8-0:

Three pole motors (no matter how they are skewed) do
not perform well at low speeds. This is why most
manufacturers long ago adopted 5 pole motors. In
certain particularly tiny locos I can see where one
might be tempted to go with a 3 pole motor, but in the
long run you will alienate customers by doing this.

The USRA 0-8-0 is a switcher and spent most of its
working life at .... slow speed. Therefore slow speed
performance is essential. I fear that my stepped
undecorated USRA 0-8-0 (N SCALE) will not be able to
perform as intended with a 3 pole motor, and I will be
forced to swap a suitable 5 pole motor into it.

If so, this will be a tremendous discouragement to me
with regard to buying any further Walthers N scale
steam locomotives.

Thanks for listening (I hope you're listening).

Sincerely,

Mark Peele