RC Helicopter Powered Locomotive

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

I have a couple of those cheap, little RC helicopters stored away, some broken and no longer flying but the motors and circuitry is fine. It dawned on me how cool it would be to convert that capacitive storage/discharge circuit & control board along with the servo motors for use on a locomotive - HO or even N. With really small motive power the card could go in a tender or other coupled rolling stock with just the servo in whatever you want to power up.

The charge input could be a pair of contacts at one end of the loco. Then you’de just drive it onto the charging track until it made contact with the power supply - the track bumper - and you could be charged back up in a minute from any typical train DC power source.

What’s the point? Very small MOW motive power that will run perfectly over the longest turnout frogs, etc. anywhere on the railroad, as well as run much better at much lower speeds.

Anyone have any experience, knowledge, or helpful links to work out such a concept?

Any thoughts on pros & cons?

2

Hello All,

Are you talking about “Dead Rail” or EZ-App®?

If you get a chance take a look at the October, 2019, issue of MR.

On pages 36-43 there is an article that might be applicable to your line of questions.

Hope this helps.

3

Funny enough I am in the same sitaution, but haven’t tried anything because I am in HO scale and the RC circuit wouldn’t be able to handle the power needed to run an HO locomotive. However, I DO think it is a plausible idea for N scale, so by all means try it and tell us what happens. I might try my hand at it too if it works out for you.

4

Would it be plausable for mow equipment? Or very small switchers. Like dinkies and critters?

5

Check the freerails forum.