RichArt O gauge Bipolar Prototype vs. Production Run

Thanks for posting these photos Bob.  As you know I have a couple of the Standard Gauge versions of this: I knew about the O Gauge version but I have never seen one.  He did quite a spectacular job with these.

To my eye, the one you call the production run looks more like a handmade prototype!  I like the paint job on the prototype better anyway, and it also looks more like the Standard Gauge locomotive.

david

Thanks for posting some very interesting photos. I have a question. Does the production version seem to run very slowly at normal voltages? I bought one a few months ago and it runs smoothly and doesn't seem to be binding anywhere, just slow. Could it be that it was meant to be run off a 24v Z transformer rather than a modern transformer? I'm reluctant to crank up the voltage too much, since it has an electronic e-unit.

Thanks in advance for any operating information - and if anyone else out there has run one of these, please chime in.

Unfortunately, I have not run either engine so I can't say if they run slowly or not.  However, I have several Standard Gauge RichArt BiPolars with similar can motor-chain drive systems and they all run smoothly and slowly.

Bob Nelson

navy.seal posted:

Unfortunately, I have not run either engine so I can't say if they run slowly or not.  However, I have several Standard Gauge RichArt BiPolars with similar can motor-chain drive systems and they all run smoothly and slowly.

Bob Nelson

 

Thanks. I have no previous experience with Richart locomotives except the Standard Gauge mine loco. I guess if they run slow, that's that and they run slow. After I test ran my 0 gauge Bi-Polar, I made the mistake of taking it apart to see if something was wrong. I can get it back together, but it's complicated in there and not at all easy to disassemble and reassemble.

Anybody else out there have experience running an 0 gauge Richart Bi-Polar?

Southwest Hiawatha posted:

Anybody else out there have experience running an 0 gauge Richart Bi-Polar?

No, only the Richart Standard Gauge bipolar and mining train locos; and I can confirm Bob's observation that the Richart chain drive is geared low.  Which is fine with me.  It seems that a chronic problem with MESG was underpowering, and if the lower sprocket ratio means it gets around the layout, so much the better: I can accomodate the walking speed.

david