My MTH Premier BB #4004 has a Dynamo on the boiler, The VL BB #4004 has none. I have seen pix of the real BB having one in the same place as the MTH. Was this steam driven?
Was there a time when the BB may have removed this Dynamo?
If I need to add a scale dynamo to the VL BB, who makes one please?
Thx in advance..
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My MTH Premier BB #4004 has a Dynamo on the boiler, The VL BB #4004 has none.
Since Lionel offered THEIR version of the UP 4000 class locomotives in the "as delivered" configuration, you will have to look very close for the Dynamotor. It should be mounted down very low, on the Engineer's side, just forward of the trailing truck.
I have seen pix of the real BB having one in the same place as the MTH.
Yes, well this is another reason why it is curious, to me anyway, why Lionel issued a model of seven of the remaining UP 4000 class locomotives, yet their model is of the "as delivered" version. Thus, the Vision Line models do NOT look like those in parks and museums.
Was this steam driven?
Yes.
Was there a time when the BB may have removed this Dynamo?
No. There would then be no lights nor cab signals.
If I need to add a scale dynamo to the VL BB, who makes one please?
First, find the one that Lionel has already provided on the model. PSC is a good source for steam locomotive detail parts. But if you plan on "modernizing" your Vision Line model, you will need to do a LOT more than just move the Dynamotor to up top on the Fireman's side of the boiler.
Thx in advance..
Just in case any readers wish to search for, and read up on, info about dynamos, we must be careful not to use the wrong, but easily confused, terms for these electrical devices.
dynamo = takes mechanical (rotary) energy and makes DC. Used in the example of this thread. Steam -> juice.
dynamotor = takes one form or voltage of electricity to run a motor. The shaft of this motor drives the shaft of a dynamo that produces DC. Also called a...
motor-generator = which is a more general term that describes machines that change AC to DC, DC to AC, change voltages, create 3-phase from single-phase, etc.
dynamometer = a testing device that measures power
rotary convertor = does what a dynamotor or motor-generator does, but within a common mechanical frame, with one armature and one field coil.
magneto = an alternator that uses permanent field magnets rather than a field winding.
So, did we answer the original poster's questions, or is he still confused?
Thx guys for the answers. No confusion yet HW, later perhaps 
UP originally had the dynamos mounted on the engineer"s side, between the last driver and the trailing truck for ease of maintenance. Unfortunately they found that the dynamos became fouled with dirt because of the low position. So they went and relocated them on the firebox, offset to the fireman's side for clearance.
Stuart
UP originally had the dynamos mounted on the engineer"s side, between the last driver and the trailing truck for ease of maintenance. Unfortunately they found that the dynamos became fouled with dirt because of the low position. So they went and relocated them on the firebox, offset to the fireman's side for clearance.
Stuart
I explained that to him yesterday but, he hasn't responded back that he finally located it on his Vision Line model.
Sory guys, just got around looking..
I think I found it?
So now my question is; should steam exits out of this area as I look at some of the piping in on this model or is steam circulated back to another place?
Sory guys, just got around looking..
I think I found it?
So now my question is; should steam exits out of this area as I look at some of the piping in on this model or is steam circulated back to another place?
Yes, you found it. The steam exhaust is piped upwards, toward the top of the firebox area someplace, so simply follow the pipe from the exhaust side of the Dynamo (the smaller one).
UP originally had the dynamos mounted on the engineer"s side, between the last driver and the trailing truck for ease of maintenance. Unfortunately they found that the dynamos became fouled with dirt because of the low position. So they went and relocated them on the firebox, offset to the fireman's side for clearance.
Stuart
I explained that to him yesterday but, he hasn't responded back that he finally located it on his Vision Line model.
The last 5 BB's were built later. Would those as built be roof mounted?
Joe
UP originally had the dynamos mounted on the engineer"s side, between the last driver and the trailing truck for ease of maintenance. Unfortunately they found that the dynamos became fouled with dirt because of the low position. So they went and relocated them on the firebox, offset to the fireman's side for clearance.
Stuart
I explained that to him yesterday but, he hasn't responded back that he finally located it on his Vision Line model.
The last 5 BB's were built later. Would those as built be roof mounted?
Joe
No. The second order, delivered in 1944, still had the low mounted dynamo. As best as I can determine, many modifications and up-grades started in 1946, such as moving the dynamo, and eliminating those front cooing pipes on the first 19 locomotives.
I am happy to find it in that location, make sit easy for me!! Next time I am inside the VL BB, I plan to tap off some steam and route it to the Dynamo. That's where I was going with all of this...
Sory guys, just got around looking..
I think I found it?
So now my question is; should steam exits out of this area as I look at some of the piping in on this model or is steam circulated back to another place?
Yes, you found it. The steam exhaust is piped upwards, toward the top of the firebox area someplace, so simply follow the pipe from the exhaust side of the Dynamo (the smaller one).
That's what I thought about the smaller pipe, but I wanted to make sure. Thx HW.
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