Milk car?

Clem,

Is there another way for me to power this, other than the sliding shoes on the trucks?

No unless you convert it to command operation using, for example, an ERR Mini Commander.

Do the dump cars have sliding shoes also?

Yes, they do.

Thank you Barry

I guess I have to find someone to do that

Wil that work with DCS? 

Will it work with a pushbutton mounted on layout?

Clem

Clem,

Will that work with DCS?

Yes, if you have a Lionel command base con nested to the TIU.

Will it work with a pushbutton mounted on layout?

No, it will not.

Thanks Barry

Not sure if it is worth the effort. Rather have it so the visiting kids can operate.

Clem

Since MTH does not have DCS control-able operating cars, one solution as Barry describes is to install a TMCC-control-able ERR module into the car and use the TMCC-under-DCS configuration.  The costs can add up if you only use MTH DCS products and this would be the "only" reason to install the TMCC devices.

Another option, which is discussed off and on in the Electrical Forum, is to use an AIU output and a wireless remote control transmitter/receiver pair.  This requires some DIY handi-work so it's not for everyone.  But since you would be commissioning someone else to do the work, it's another option.  Anyone who could install an ERR Commander would be able to do this.  Plus, it would allow you to install a pushbutton mounted on the layout to let the kids manually operate the accessory (in addition to allowing you to control it under DCS).

Here's an example of a transmitter and receiver module pair. These go for less than $5 shipped on eBay.

The remote transmitter has 4 buttons.  For a simple 1 function operating car you only need one button.  One AIU output would be wired to "push" one button of the remote transmitter.  The kids' pushbutton would be wired in parallel to the AIU output so either method can activate the car.

In the car, you install the receiver module.  The receiver module drives a relay which would perform the equivalent of applying power via the sliding shoe.  Whomever you were thinking of to install an ERR Commander would have to give you a labor quote...but the total parts cost would be, say, $10. 

If not obvious, in addition to now operating the car under remote control, the car does not have to be on an operating-track-section.

Well Stan that sounds just what I was looking for However I'm I have this ready by the 25th  But good for next year

Blissfield Railroad Days' Events - Blissfield Main Street

Clem

I have a couple of the 4 channel remote units Clem.  If you want one, I'll let you have it for what I paid if you want to make this mod for this year.

This is the 4-Channel Remote Control that I have.  Supply 5V and a relay and you should be good to go.  First class shipping is only a couple of bucks most places in the country, and you should have it in time for the mods.

Good morning John

Would this work like Stan's post ?

How does the car get power?  

Clem

Doesn't the milk car have track rollers in addition to the pickups?  I have the Operating Reefer car and it has a track roller in addition to the shoes.  I presume the milk car has a similar rig.

If you have track power available, you can use a small 5V DC supply (or roll one from a few components) to power the receiver.

Stan's image is gone, so I'm not entirely sure what he was point to.

Your correct John 

The milk car does have a third rail roller. The dump cars do not.

The problem is the slide shoes hang up on the Ross switches, I have a lot of switches. I been bending the rail ends down and that seems to work. On my old layout, I had Gargraves switches and Lionel post war sliding shoes that was a job fixing all those switches. This is going a lot better this time, the MTH shoes are smoother and just a little bend on the Ross seems to do the job. I thought I was going to have to pin and file four places on each switch. I have five done and a bunch more to go.

PS

I don't seem to be thinking as well as I use to.

Clem

Unless you want to retain the ability to activate the car on an operating-track-section, you could/would remove the shoes and/or replace the trucks with powered-trucks that just have the center rollers.  This would also apply to the TMCC alternative.

That's weird about the image, I too saw it vanish but now it's back.  It appears to be identical to the one you have.

As Clem's show is on the 25th, I suppose it could be done in time but since he apparently needs to find someone to do the install, it would be quite the hat trick.  As "someone" here on OGR says,

Nothing is so easy as the job you imagine someone else doing!

I'd probably go with Stan's suggesting and just nuke the sliding shoes.  You can replace the trucks, but I think you can probably just hack the shoes off and remove the wiring for them.

I do overnight jobs, but that runs the cost up!

Stan, your image is still not viewable for me.

This is a cheap option, I got these with the intention of trying to install one myself.  Actually, I'm going to use it to trigger sounds from one of the Big Dawgs sound modules, with this and the multi-button module, I can trigger up to four announcements.  However, with a relay, I don't see why it can't trigger the car.  I have the Operating Reefer car that I'm going to either put TMCC or one of these in, just hasn't been at the top of the queue yet.