Several weeks ago when playing with my remote Thomi sets, I said I would try to transplant the Thomas remote control system to another loco. I considered a BEEP, but the sound is steam, and I was worried that its two motors would overload Thomas's electronics board. And there's not a lot of room inside a BEEP. So I chose the Lionel Hall class: its a steamer, the tender has plenty of room for the remote board, and the tender is plastic - a metal tender or loco body might block the remote control radio signals. That seemed like a nice project for today so I started earlier this morning. And I was very encouraged when I got the body off the loco - its motor was smaller (physically) than Thomas's (in the foreground of the photo)
The Photo below shows the transplant roughed out to where I can test if and how well it works. Not well enough. I was encouraged when I first plugged in the remote Thomas power supply and the loco started chuffing at idle nicely. But when I turn the remote controller's knob to run, the sound dies and the loco does not move. I tried a second remote Thomas board (I have several). Same result. I suspect the motor simply wants more power than the board can supply, but it could be something else.
Regardless, I'm not taking this project any further: I'll put it down in the "learning experience" column. And other than putting the Hall class back together as was, I'm not playing with trains any more today, either. Something coming from the kitchen downstairs smells mighty nice, and my youngest son and his fiancee should be here soon, so its family, turkey, and then sleepily watching submarine movies (it's our Thanksgiving thing) for the rest of the day!
Everyone, have a great Thanksgiving!!!
