I much prefer operating my predominantly scale equipment on days that I run at the club layout in the San Diego Model RR Museum. However when operating at a public venue how much of the show is for education and how much is for entertainment? Surprisingly the Galloping Goose does some of both. Now this brings me to my question, I think a pair of Beeps pulling some of the fantasy cars, bobbing heads etc, could be pretty entertaining but have no educational value. It also would give the other trains some time to cool down to reduce wear and tear. Opinions and or suggesstions…
As long as they are suitable for mixed company. [:D]
USe my Beeps as little switchers n small yards. I have lashed them together and pulled some cars.
The Beeps are great crowd pleasers and great little pullers at a great price. How can you go wrong?
Doug da G,
We use all kinds of fun things for public shows. It keeps the kids and grownups engaged.
Regards,
Roy
I have 4 beeps. 2 Conventional and 2 TMCC, one even with SOUND! yes, sir… sound. [8D]
Ooops, cut off my message:
Short answer: Run those Beeps man!
Long answer: IMO, it depends on what you consider education. If you want to educate about what railroads are and were, then your scale stuff might be the way to go. But if you want to entertain and educate about toy trains, then Beeps are the ticket.
In the video game age, anything that will draw a kids’ attention to toy trains is a good thing. Plus Beeps are fun, cute, affordable, durable, and kids love em. And by demonstrating that to both kids and parents, you can educate them about the fun toy trains can be for kids of all ages!
Big Wally
I have a bunch of BEEPs (about eight of them, at last count). I like them a lot. My only concern with the new O27 layout I’m building is that they invariably stall when entering the curved section of my Lionel O27 switches–just the curved section, and not the straight. I didn’t seem to have this problem on my earlier O27 pike, and I don’t have the problem with even shorter-wheelbase units such as the K-Line Plymouth or the MTH Docksider.
I know I could double-head the BEEPs and probably avoid the problem, but I prefer to operate them as single units. Anyone else have a similar problem, or recommended solutions?
Consider your audience. How many visitors to the museum can actually tell what is prototypical and what is not? As long as it moves under its own power it will generate interest. You could have the Beep move scale cars and it would look OK to the majority of viewers, myself included.
Pete
Wouldn’t it have been nice if Lionel had arranged for the couplers to be connected to the center rail rather than the outside rails? Then a locomotive could share pickups with other locomotives and cars with pickups. The center rail could also be continuous over uncoupler magnets.
Lehigh,how do you get tmcc and sound in a beep I haven’t heard of something like that before.
Alex,
You remove the E-unit and add an R2LC, which a bopard from the Electric RR. He has sound boards coming out as well. I have a B&O with TMCC and a PRR Tuscan with TMCC and Railsounds, they are sweet machines.
-Chris
I guess they are ok for a novelity, but I wouldn’t buy one again. Had a bad experience with them when they first came out and contacted RMT never got a reply. Will not even concider one again. Bad PR.
laz57
Educational value? Baloney. Educational value is an excuse to spend money on trains. There is no reason to fool ourselves with this philosophy. Money was meant to be spent and if you spend it on trains because they give you great pleasure then it is money well spent. If that doesn’t cure your guilt, then tell yourself you are supporting the family of a train factory employee. That is no baloney. That is the truth.