Anybody know what is involved in converting a 2-rail lighted Sunset passenger car to 3-rail or is it possible to run a 2-rail lighted passenger car on 3-rail track without shorting out (i.e. screwing up) the 3-rail operating locomotive or any other operation?
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Both outside rails are at the same potential. Putting lights across these rails will not affect a thing - but do not expect the lights to illuminate.
You can re-wire the cars, but you'd have to install center rail pickup rollers. You'd need to disconnect the hot wire and connect it to that roller. Personally, with LED technology advances, I'd like to see batteries in a baggage car with "air lines" wiring the cars' lighting. While adding little weight, it takes car lighting out of the transformer's electrical load (which adds up with long passenger trains.) Atlas did something similar with their Cal Zeph cars (on-board batteries in each car) but customers weren't receptive for some reason.
A regular 2-rail lighted car won't hurt anything when operated on 3-rail; it just won't light up.
...
Atlas did something similar with their Cal Zeph cars (on-board batteries in each car) but customers weren't receptive for some reason.
...
Really? I think it's great.
IMHO, the batteries are the best thing since ...
ChipR
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
