Just wondering here if any of you have or heard of someone successfully installing after market TMCC elctronics in a Docksider and/or electrical couplers? I like the size for small switching. I am not sure if the Docksider is an O scale or O27 gauge. Thanks.
I installed the Electric RR’s “Cruise Commander DS” kit last Saturday. Installation went fine - I completed everything in an afternoon.
- Luther
Many thanks Luther.
The Docksider is full scale sized.
Smokebox
I thought the 0-4-0 and 0-6-0 were O27 scale and the 0-8-0 were scale? My 0-6-0 Christmas Switcher sure doesn’t look scale to me!
Well, I must have missed it the first time I read the catalog on line. I saw this tonight and beleive this means the loco is O27. Thanks for the replies.
Gauge: O Gauge
Minimum Curve: 0-27
Dimensions: Length 8 1/2"
RailLine: Reading
ShipYear: 2004
The Docksider was reviewed in the Dec 04 CTT. If you keyword “0-6-0t” in the product review box it will come up. It is an O scale sized locomotive that will likely take an 027 curve. I love mine!
Smokebox
Smoke,
I just received my 0-8-0 Scale Switcher and I can say there is no way the 0-6-0 is Scale. It is O gauge, but it is not Scale. I’ll post pics of the two side-by-side tonight and you can see why I say this… the 0-8-0 DWARFS my 2-8-2 Mikado, 2-8-4 Berkshire, and 4-8-4 Turbines!
“Dockside Switchers” were small loco’s usually emplyed to get cars on/off car floats. They were usually only handling a few cars at a time and a smaller engine was an advantage to keep the ferry ballanced during load/unload procedures. The Lionel models may not be representative of a particular locomotive and therefore may not be “scale”.
Both Electric Railroad and Train America Studios offer a TMCC upgrade kit specifically for the new Lionel Docksider.
The replacement board is the same size as the factory board.
The ERR version offers tachless cruise control, whistle control and, while it has the connections for remote couplers, the mfg. says that fitting and mounting the actual couplers to the frame is the issue that has yet to be resolved.
Mike
Again, many thanks fo the info.
Lionroar,
I also have the Lionel 0-8-0. You have to remember those 0-8-0’s are huge in real life! I saw a real USRA 0-8-0 for the first time last year and I could not believe how big they are. And this is coming from someone who has volunteered on a running 4-8-4 for 10 years.
Here’s a link to a “Docksider” very much like the Lionel model. I sure wish we could have the valve gear like this one! www.jeff-z.com/wks/locoroster/65/65.html
As for your 2-8-2, 2-8-4, and 6-8-6 Turbine, they could be semi-scale. A full scale 6-8-6 Turbine is about the size of a UP Challenger in 12"=1’!
Smokebox
Smoke,
I just received my 0-8-0 Scale Switcher and I can say there is no way the 0-6-0 is Scale. It is O gauge, but it is not Scale. I’ll post pics of the two side-by-side tonight and you can see why I say this… the 0-8-0 DWARFS my 2-8-2 Mikado, 2-8-4 Berkshire, and 4-8-4 Turbines!
Smoke,
I understand the semi-scale in regards to the engines mentioned, but the 0-6-0 is more in scale with these engines than it is with the 0-8-0… forgot the flashcards today so no pics… tomorrow for sure!
Scale or not, this is one locomotive that I am looking forward to converting to TMCC. I think that it would be real nice to have slow scale speeds and be able to do some yard/switching work with the finess that can be achieved with command control.
dennis
Apparently there is a question as to whether the docksider by Lionel was even a real engine or something? LOL!
Hey - does anyone know who is making tmcc upgrades for the docksiders now? Will Lionel issue a tmcc docksider with coilcouplers ever? That would be super cool!
Dennis,
The Lionel Docksider is very capable of decent slow speed running. If you are having trouble with jerky starts and high starting speeds, it is likely that your transformer is the culprit, not the docksider. Using a CW-80, I get very good response, smooth starts and slow speed from my docksiders, with a ZW or MTH Z-1000, not so much. Many transformers just have too high of a starting voltage to get the performance that a docksider is capable of.
Doug
,
lionroar88,
That’s a great link, thank you.
I have a dockside switcher and I love mine.
No nonsense, smooth running, less frustrating and plenty of play action.
Ralph
I have to agree with this. the one I own runs quite fast with my ZW transformer but slower and an alright speed for switching with my smallers ones like the CW80. with my ZW the little engine often knocks cars off the end of a siding [:S]
With regards to the scale issue, I personally think that if its not scale, its pretty darn close. The railroad museum in Riverhead, Long Island has a very similar dock tank locomotive, Brooklyn eastern District terminal (BEDT) engine 16. in fact, in the March 2008 CTT issue, it is the engine in the photo they compare the the shot of the lionel docksider hauling a boxcar though the crossing to! (check here for more pics and info http://www.trainweb.org/bedt/BEDT.html) Ive seen this engine ln real life and it is indeed very small. comparing the real BEDT 16 and LIRR G5 #35 (Which I work on on weekends at the Oyster bay Railroad museum,
This is one engine I would love to see TMCC fitted with coil couplers. I think it needs it the most out of any engine
[tup]
Me too [:)]