Would like a SWITCHER recommendation that has gearing for creeping and hesitating when operating my log and barrel loader
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All of Lionel's Legacy locos have great slow speed control. MTH has similar slow speed control with their engines. Are you looking for command or conventional controlled locos? Steam or diesel?
Any of the atlas switchers, a Lionel S2 or the newer SW/NW switchers. All of which are horizontal drive and run well very slowly.
A vision line or diecast Genset (not the new plastic body, dual motor model) has a Switcher mode which has excellent slow speed operation, but is not quite as slow as the SWs.
May I suggest watching the weekly topic of "Switcher Saturday". You can see all the major products in action (Atlas, Lionel, and MTH). The Search Feature will allow past postings for viewing and videos.
@trainpoppop posted:Would like a SWITCHER recommendation that has gearing for creeping and hesitating when operating my log and barrel loader
Trainpoppop....
Here's the link to last week's thread. We meet every Saturday. Stop in and say hi! I have lot's of switchers. The MTH PS3 or Lionel Legacy will creep along just fine.
Lionel new SW-1 with horizontal drive would fit your needs. There is a B&O version with caboose for sale on the form.
(I'll ask the silly question) 
will anything that runs conventional creep? or is it only legacy and beyond?
@woodsyT posted:(I'll ask the silly question)
will anything that runs conventional creep? or is it only legacy and beyond?
Command equipped engines will do pretty good in conventional.
Standard conventional not as well.
@woodsyT posted:(I'll ask the silly question)
will anything that runs conventional creep? or is it only legacy and beyond?
Engines with some form of cruise control will do pretty good at slow speeds in conventional, until they stall.
I use a Lionel Trackmobile. It's great for slow speed shuttling and positioning cars for loading/unloading.
Joe S
@woodsyT posted:(I'll ask the silly question)
will anything that runs conventional creep? or is it only legacy and beyond?
Any of the horizontal drive locomotives typically can creep fairly well due to the gear reduction that isn't possible in a vertical truck mounted motor.
As for modern switchers, often one will find older road units in switching duties. GP38-2s, SD40-2s, or even 1st generation locomotives like GP7/9 or SD9s can still be occasionally found doing switching duty.
Granted, there is an appeal to having a tiny locomotive for any layout, but the larger ones are always options too.
@GG1 4877 posted:...Any of the horizontal drive locomotives typically can creep fairly well due to the gear reduction that isn't possible in a vertical truck mounted motor...
yep. after complete rebuilds some of my horizontal post-wars are moving better~somewhat smoother at low speeds. but moving/parking choo-choos at the correct spot for log/coal/barrel/uncoupler/accessory operations is still a challenge most of the time
I kinda wish that some clever folks would re-manufacture a few lil-bits of brass/bronze into lower gearing for the postwar motors. I still run 99% postwar and would like to find a way to 'upgrade' them. using DC current improves the motion at the expense of operation, so I don't love that...
With AC, I wonder if there is a way to keep field voltage UP while reducing armature voltage? wouldn't this keep the torque UP while reducing armature/locomotive speed?
BTW - all apologies to trainpoppop! I'm sorry, I think I hijacked your topic.
@woodsyT posted:I kinda wish that some clever folks would re-manufacture a few lil-bits of brass/bronze into lower gearing for the postwar motors. I still run 99% postwar and would like to find a way to 'upgrade' them. using DC current improves the motion at the expense of operation, so I don't love that...
With AC, I wonder if there is a way to keep field voltage UP while reducing armature voltage? wouldn't this keep the torque UP while reducing armature/locomotive speed?
I've been wishing ^^this for a long time. Still hoping that it will happen.
It has long been known that putting a resistor in parallel with the brushes creates a by-pass, which reduces armature current relative to the field. Doing this will slow the motor down. If you want to experiment, I've read various articles that suggest a resistance in the range of 4 to 10 ohms (and 25 to 50 watts) would be appropriate. I even saw one that suggested putting a small variable rheostat in the tender for on-the-fly adjustment with various loads.
Another recent post on the forum discussed how at least on AC, series motors seem to speed up and lose their low-speed torque as they warm up. Perhaps @gunrunnerjohn could tell us whether a well-placed thermistor could counter this tendency and preserve performance? Good observations all!
A good option for the classic 50s/traditional postwar operators is the Thomas Industries/General Models NW-2 switcher that came out in the late 40s before Lionel did their model. Great looking scale model with very low gearing and a nice heavy body. I have two (one Thomas and one GM) and both will crawl very nicely. Only drawback is they have non-operating couplers and it would be difficult to put Lionel coil couplers on one.
For modern, hard to beat the Trackmobile. 
