Lionel railscope opinions

I had the system a few years ago but wasn't to impressed with it. I finally sold it.

You can get them real cheap on EBay and elsewhere, that's all I know.

There is a complete set up for sale for $200 I was thinking about. It has the engine, caboose and monitor.  Can you hook them to a regular TV also?

I bought it when it first came out.  It is B&W and a pretty low resolution image.  They sold a small Railscope TV which was the right size....any bigger screen and the picture would have been too grainy.  It used the track to transmit the signal.  So, just like flickering passenger cars, the picture would have dropouts when going over switches or dirty track.  It was great for its time, but the technology has improved so much since then.  Get a small hi-res color camera with transmitter and put it on a flatcar at the front of your train. 

They worked OK.  Not up to today's standards.  It's black and white.  I think that for kids it could be a good little project.  Not hard to set up.  I have one with a modified MPC 6464 wired to hold the battery.  I'd probably let it go for not too much if you're interested.

Alan

You mean a whole set up that works? How much?

 

My email is richardsonexcavating@yahoo.com

 

Thanks,

Matt

There are tons of cameras like this around, here's one for $20.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wirele...;hash=item58a0037491

 

I have a similar one built into a snow plow, and another on a flatcar.

 

 

The Lionel Railscope went through batteries, like a hot knife going through butter.

The camera/transmitter engine mounted 9 volt battery was depleted very quickly. The receiver/RF converter wasn't too bad.

 

I have a 9 volt battery pack - 6 AA cells in a battery holder - mounted in a 9707 behind the engine to power the camera, this is much more economical and longer lasting.

Track power works even better and lasts as long as you run the train!

 

 

Completely outdated and poor quality.Here is a video I made when the Railscope first came out.It shows what the picture quality is with the system.

Dan

Dan's video is comparable to the picture I get on my Railscope. Suggest operating the locomotive at a slow speed to ensure the best picture.

 

Instead of using batteries for the Railscope, I recommend a 9v battery replacement capacitor from Dallee Electronics. It's the last item listed on this page:

 

Dallee Electronics

For less than $100 you can get a color Hi-res camera that will wifi into any ipad or tv etc.  Guy selling them at york.

Very small, about the size of an EGG!

I have a railscope system I got for $75.  Got it for my son (the electrical engineering major) as a present, not that we are going to actually use it!!

Ben

Back in the day, Railscope was good to me. I netted about 1500. from prizes won in a Railscope contest to help promote the camera system.

Your video is great, Dan. Quite the carpet central, the whole thing is charming. Thanks for posting.

 

Regarding the battery issue: Lionel released a kit to use larger batteries in a holder to be hidden in a boxcar behind the locomotive. I forget whether it used "D" or "C" cells.

I don't think there was anything special in the kit, you probably can get the same components at Radio Shack and make your own.

Someone mentioned doing something similar above.

Thank you, all.......some great memories here.....it was really exciting when it came out!

 

Peter

Thanks for all the input. As much as I would like to buy it just to say "I have it", I think I will steer clear and use the $ toward some of my other postwar goals.  I just wanted it for the kids really, but like some above suggested, cheap cameras can be had and mounted that work great.

 

 

Thanks,

Matt

I read a CTT review when it first came out, which was mainly negative on battery life, steady transmission, and B&W picture quality. A good idea at the time, but much better available now for much less cost.

You can have the same camera they're selling for $100 at York for $20-30 on eBay.