What to get for a slow moving bump and go trolley

What I have done with mine is to have it wired to a separate power source or transformer...in my case a 3rd CW-80 throttle, but I would think that even a older train set transformer would work, maybe one that you already use for accessories but isn't used to power any track. That way you can control and set the speed to whatever you want...if run with the higher power used on most layouts today...it operates as though its a run-a-way, not close to being realistic and only a matter of time until that trolley crashes and burns! 

My approach is similar to Paul's.  I have 4 MTH Bump and Go trolleys each running at different speeds on Superstreets.  My experience is these trolleys can creep along at low speed.  The limiting speed factor on my layout is the trolley's ability to navigate 16" Superstreets curves which they do with minimum stiction.  Each trolley is feed by a separate variable source such as a spare ZW channel or spare TIU variable channels.  The TiU channels are feed by a single fixed source.

My Atlas Industrial Rail trolley will go quite slow and still reverse when it bumps; guessing around 10 -15 smph.  Slower than that it won't reverse.  I think asking 5 smph from a bump'n'go may be stretching it.

Pete

I think getting a MTH bump and go is a better way to go as it can navigate Superstreets easier than the Atlas model

Jdevleerjr posted:

As I am building my benchwork this morning I decided I want a small trolley line on my layout.  I want it to move slow, about 5 smph.  Instead of a loop I want it to come out of hidden staging, slowly move across my layout, hit the bumper and work its way back to the hidden staging where I will have a 2nd bumper for it to reverse.

Does Lionel or MTH make a trolley that can move that slow?  

JD:

As an alternative you may to think about a conventional loco like a doodle bug or a Peter Witt (something with an electronic reversing unit). You can combine this with the Z-Stuff 1240 circuit board and two detectors. The detector senses the loco, the board electronically stops it and reverses the direction. I bought this but have not set it up as yet so have no idea of the quality of the system. Perhaps some one out there can help.

I run trains at a local mall once a month. There are a few bumper car setups. What I have discovered is if you run the bumper car slow enough it does not seem to have enough momentum when it hits the bumper to reverse itself. Some of the guys with bumper cars who posted above would be able to help you more.

Joe

I had lionel bump and go trolley hooked up to a TPC.  I could get it traverse the rails very slowly, my problem was similar to as stated above, when it hit the bumper it wouldn't have enough momentum to actually change direction.  It would just stop.  So, if you have the voltage control, it seems you can get nice slow speed, bu the bump and go requires a certain speed as well.  definitely a balance if keeping all things stock.

This is my Lionel Boston City Trolley , that I recently acquired...and the video shows running it at the slowest speed possible. Any slower, and as stated above, the bumper reversing function will fail to activate.

I use an MTH bump n go with a CW 80 transformer.  The MTH must have a hair trigger reverse mechanism because I can run that thing very slooooooooooooowly and the reversing mechanism kicks in each time.

Take a look at the Atlas O Industrial Rail trolley. Atlas made them in a  variety of realistic paint schemes and they have lots of lighting, inside and on the ends, even though they were not scale proportioned. Looks aside, Atlas IR trolleys have both bump-n- go capabilities and electronic e units, which give you more options on low speed reversing  I really like mine and they look great on a layout.

You have to get them on the secondary market now, but an Atlas O IR trolley is worth owning.

Ed Boyle

PDDMI posted:

This is my Lionel Boston City Trolley , that I recently acquired...and the video shows running it at the slowest speed possible. Any slower, and as stated above, the bumper reversing function will fail to activate.

Paul- what type of switches do you have on your layout that work with tubular track?

Bob

Thanks guys

I will look at the Atlas IR and the MTH one.  I know really slow speeds are not possible but was hoping.  

Jim

Bob,

Those are Ross 042...just installed 6 of them a couple of weeks ago...they are all easily within reach, so I decided to make those operational by using the Caboose manual throws. Thought it might add a little more interest...and it does! And so far, no buzzing, sparking or shorting. Added a couple of the brass switch lights that are also available through Ross, they look great too. Just ordered some additional switches from Steve, these will be powered units though, as they are not accessable like the first 6. The mating pins for 027 to Ross work as designed...however, the 027 tubular track that I am using did need to be shimmed the thickness of 1/8 " masonite...but just under the first tie on the tubular track where they connect. As a sidenote, I am now using the Ross switches and eliminating my Lionel 042 switches...and very glad that I am.  Just sayin...

The Atlas / Industrial Rail streetcars will need to have the turn-limiting screws removed from the trucks to make the turns on Superstreets track. Just take the shell of and you'll see the screws easily. 

PDDMI posted:

Bob,

Those are Ross 042...just installed 6 of them a couple of weeks ago...they are all easily within reach, so I decided to make those operational by using the Caboose manual throws. Thought it might add a little more interest...and it does! And so far, no buzzing, sparking or shorting. Added a couple of the brass switch lights that are also available through Ross, they look great too. Just ordered some additional switches from Steve, these will be powered units though, as they are not accessable like the first 6. The mating pins for 027 to Ross work as designed...however, the 027 tubular track that I am using did need to be shimmed the thickness of 1/8 " masonite...but just under the first tie on the tubular track where they connect. As a sidenote, I am now using the Ross switches and eliminating my Lionel 042 switches...and very glad that I am.  Just sayin...

Thanks Paul. Not planning on tearing things apart now but good info for the future. I have a lot of tubular track but hate the look of the Lionel switches. 

Bob

You want slow?  Take an ERR Cruise Commander Lite, and wire the bumper switch to a relay to flip the motor leads.  The cruise control will keep it running at a steady speed.

I had a Lionel bump and go from the 1990s. Total lightweight. It died not long after being put in service. 

I have 3 MTH Bump 'n Go trolleys. They will run quite slow but as others have mentioned, you need to go fast enough to trigger the mechanical reverse unit. The bumpers are connected to a thin plastic shaft that pushes the reverse unit switch back and forth. 

I've found the MTH cars very durable. We've run them at train shows for hours on end for a weekend to  a week with no issues. Great cars. I would recommend an MTH Bump and Go in a heartbeat. 

My understanding is the Lionel cars now have pickup rollers, not slide skates anymore. I wonder if that would improve their performance. I really like the look of the Johnstown, PA Lionel Bump 'n Go car. 

Didn't the postwar trolley have pick up rollers?

 If the industrial rail trolley is DC powered couldn't you just use a track sensor and relay to reverse the DC voltage and change the trolley direction wherever you wanted without having to rely on the bumper impact to do the reversing?

An Atlas Trolley will run on super streets/ EZ streets as long as you have big enough curves for it to navigate

aussteve posted:

Didn't the postwar trolley have pick up rollers?

Yes, The Lionel 60 trolley had two pick up rollers as shown here.