Has any one had problems with the spectrum light moutiain 4-8-2? What about adding a soundtraxx “750 series heavy steam decoder”? Can it handle 11R curves w/5" straight in bettween? What about the con cor heavy wheight passenger cars (same radius)? What it mean buy 11R w/5" straight is it would turn 90 degreas have a 5" straight then finish the turn.
2 things.
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The loco relies HEAVILY on the tender pickups for reliable operation. To install a Decoder/Speaker/Capacitor into the tender means you have to remove the weight. If you remove the weight, then you will have horrible electrical issues, and hence render the loco useless.
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This is a large locomotive, and needs larger radii. But if you are removing the weight from the tender, it WILL come off the track on many curves.
David B
I have a light 4-8-2 I’ve kitbashed into a PRR M1. I find she has plenty of trouble even on a 15" radius curve… and that’s with an extended frame I added to accomodate the large Belpaire firebox. I built a new drawbar as well. She can take the turn without derailing now, but even with adding extra weight over the drivers and shimming the traction driver bearing block (from the box, the traction tire driver doesn’t quite contact the railhead and needs a 0.005" shim inside the journal), I find her tractive effort still drops off precipitously in the 15" curve.
I fear you’ll be sorely disappointed attempting to use this engine on 11" radius curves. Spectrum recommends a 19" radius minimum.
Merry Christmas!
Hi,
I own two light mountains and put in them lenz micro decoder I have just to trim a little the weight to put them in the upper “coal box” in the tender and run wires to connect it. So the weight is nearly intact.
On my Maclau river the smallest curves is a 86cm diameter radius and had no problems with these engines, smallest turnout are number 6.
See photos at www.Nscale.org Personnal album/ Letter “M”/ Album Marc Magnus
Marc
The first runs of the Light Mountains have had problems. I hope later releases have better quality. The Light isn’t as good or the same as the Heavy Mountain.
You may need a jar of Bullfrog Snot to get it to pull much.