How can I mount a F.R.E.D on a MTH Premier Scale Test Car?

Scale test cars never were the last car  in the train as they had no train line brake system. Always followed by a car with brakes. Say a caboose perhaps !   Im dating myself...

john f penca jr posted:

Scale test cars never were the last car  in the train as they had no train line brake system. Always followed by a car with brakes. Say a caboose perhaps !   Im dating myself...

You're right John F!

The scale cars had no brakes because the weight would change as the brakes shoes abraded away.                                                                

Do your club member one better Tim and mount F.R.E.D. on another car with a normal truck which will be easy to adapt. 

I remember in 2014 going to Ridgecrest California my parents and I stopped at Cajon Pass and watched a couple trains and there was one of these at the end of the train with a F.R.E.D. If I find the photo I will add it but I bought this car just to put a F.R.E.D on it for my Scale Modern freight

You could "roll your own" F.R.E.D and just stick the light bar on the rear of the car.  Obviously, you'll have to add a pickup to the car.

Has anyone thought to ask Fred if he WANTS to be "mounted to a car"?  Ok... joking aside... what is FRED?  (I'm thinking end of train device but I'm guessing)

tackindy posted:

Has anyone thought to ask Fred if he WANTS to be "mounted to a car"?  Ok... joking aside... what is FRED?  (I'm thinking end of train device but I'm guessing)

Among other names, FRED is: Flashing Rear End Device.

If it were me, I would get a flat, and mount the scale car on that...

Hot Water posted:

tackindy posted:

Has anyone thought to ask Fred if he WANTS to be "mounted to a car"?  Ok... joking aside... what is FRED?  (I'm thinking end of train device but I'm guessing)

Among other names, FRED is: Flashing Rear End Device.

Thanks.  I was pretty sure I knew what it was but just couldn't think of what it stood for and thought maybe it was something I was missing.  

Sigh..... I liked it better when "Fred" was IN the caboose!

tackindy posted:

Hot Water posted:

tackindy posted:

Has anyone thought to ask Fred if he WANTS to be "mounted to a car"?  Ok... joking aside... what is FRED?  (I'm thinking end of train device but I'm guessing)

Among other names, FRED is: Flashing Rear End Device.

Thanks.  I was pretty sure I knew what it was but just couldn't think of what it stood for and thought maybe it was something I was missing.  

Sigh..... I liked it better when "Fred" was IN the caboose!

Well, yes, however a LOT of factors went into the eventual elimination of cabooses:

1) As freight trains grew longer, neither the rearend nor the headend crews could effectively see enough cars for proper inspection enroute. 

2) The advancement, and installation, of hot box, dragging equipment, and "high/wide" wayside detector equipment, which communicated directly to the Dispatcher AND the locomotive cab crew, provided far better train inspections that the caboose occupants provided.

3) It was found to be almost impossible to air-condition cabooses, unlike diesel locomotive cabs.

4) Drastic reduction in personal injury claims from occupants in the caboose.

5) Reduction in personnel.

6) Reduction in maintenance costs for the caboose.