I picked up my Santa Fe F units that accompany the Walthers set. They are beautiful locomotives. I need to install decoders so that I can run them on my layout.
Jim,
Way to go!
Which DCC decoders will you be using? Digitrax, NCE, TCS, or are you going with sound?
Cheers![:D]
I will probably use the NCE decoders since I run an NCE system. I might consider adding sound to one of the dummy units, but doing so is way down on my priority list.
Any plans to add the light kits to the Santa Fe cars?
One recommendation I’ve heard is that on a passenger train, you can have a nice effect just by lighting a couple of the “Key Cars” such as the: Observation, Diner, and at least one to two coaches depending on train length. Cars such as RPO’s, Baggage, and even Dormitorys wouldn’t be as noticable.
From what I understand with this method you save on electrical power demands, as well as maintenance while having a very sharp looking train. I saw a Walther’s SCL Observation with the light kit installed. VERY IMPRESSIVE! With a painted interior, it would have been a “Knockout!”
Cheers!
I light four of the cars. I am concerned that if I light the whole train, it wil be a power drain. So far the partially lighted train looks great.
Jim,
Have you painted the interiors of your lighted cars? I posted a thread a while back on painting passenger car interiors realistically with flat, neutral colors. I included some of the colors used by the prototypes.
I’ve painted several interiors. What a difference! Really makes them look like the real thing! [4:-)][dinner][C=:-)][swg][tup]
Cheers! [:D][;)][8)][8D]
In the real world
Passenger Cars (from the outside) appeared lit only at night.
Late at night it was the Tavern cars and Observation car - which was often a lounge.
Diners were only lit during mealtimes - generally dark by 9 or 10PM
Pullman sleepers went dark early.
Evening suburban cars serving commuter’s were always lit. - there was a 9PM out of Chicago i used to take.
Don’t light all of them if you are into DCC as the start-up current plays havoc with the booster. I sent my booster back to Digitrax three times before we realized it was a light problem and not a booster problem.
I added sound to the “B” unit and just used a regular decoder in the “A” unit. You can’t tell where the sound is and it makes for an easy instalation.
Have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY
Bob