Does anybody ever run a dummy unit in front of a powered loco? Here's why I ask.

@Mannyrock posted:

Thanks Guys, I will look into the Chuggertons.

Meanwhile, here is a picture of my Lionel EMD on the inner 031 circle of my figure 8.  I know its a matter of taste, but it just looks too huge for me.

Agreed Manny. I struggle with the scale of "Lionel O gauge and Lionel 027 gauge and O scale." I bought 6 weaver gondolas, and when they were on the layout, my little 2025 Lionel Ogauge engine looked small.

Now, to be fair, my small Baby Ruth box car is smaller than other cars on the consist, and I now see that it imitates life. There are cars of all size on the rails that run here in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. So, when I brought a couple of my Lionel Scale Engines and cars to Elliot's house, I quickly found out that my scale is much smaller than his O. Search at the top and you will find this topic with photos. Enjoy: 

https://ogrforum.com/...hat-s-the-difference

@Mannyrock posted:

Thanks for the info guys.

I should have mentioned that the larger size engines look ridiculous running on the inside modified figure 8 of my layout.

Mannyrock

Looks Ridiculous?   Yet you're considering a Shell on a flatcar?

Here's a pictorial to assist your decision

Manny

Do not forget about local train shows that TCA has around most areas, that is if they have one.

Charlie

I agree with rtraincollector. Some time ago, there was a prolonged discussion about whether it was better to push a dummy engine or pull it-I actually think that the discussion predated this Forum-and a number of folks actually experimented with both possibilities and, as best as this old guy can remember, the consensus was that you got more total train pulling power by pushing ( rather than pulling) the dummy A or B. There were some "guesses" as to the reason(s) for this, but never a definite answer. Obviously all this occurred during transformer controlled times. Enjoy !!   

Hey Ron,

I'm laughing. That was a great analysis you posted.

I don't know about your 5 year old grandkids, but mine are really stupid when it comes to train identification.

(I quizzed them once, and they couldn't even tell a GP from an NW-2.  Heck, the two year old can't even talk.  And they don't even know who Robert DeNiro is!  )

They would love your switcher shell on the red flatcar, and think it was the best looking "engine" they have ever seen.

They would also love to just shove it around a track, on the floor, with no electricity, for hours on end.

(On the other hand, they also seem to love peeing in their pants.)

Mannyrock

I have a Lionel A-B-A PA Alco set.

This is the PRR set that came with first generation Odyssey.

In the manual, Lionel suggests running the dummy A unit first, as it has the Railsounds.

I have always run the set this way and it performs fine.

On the BAY,  there is a seller listing MANY  diesel shells basically from MTH for $39.99 OR LESS. You have your choice of F3's, RS units, FA'S, FT'S, NW2 etc. All new stock, many different road names and colors.

If you have a hobby shop near you,  check out their used items for your flat car. A lot of those old pieces are sold as a consignment so prices might be negotiable.  Don't overlook old boxcars with a metal floor. 

Unfortunately, the only train shops near me are a new one, 30 miles away, which carries nothing but brand new stuff at full MSRP, and a little one room shop at a flea market, 3 miles away, that has only a limited amount of beat-up O gauge stuff, priced in accordance with some little pricing book, which is pretty darned cheap.  Since the Covid outbreak, the guy who runs the flea market place has not been able to go to estate sales, other flea markets, and houses on Craig's list to replentish his old O gauge stuff.

So, I am stuck with looking at online stuff only for now.

If the York show happens some time this year, I will definitely go up there.  A pleasant 3 hour drive for me.

Mannyrock