I understand that, back in steam engine days, the engineer(s) on helper engine(s) simply opened the throttle, planted their feet on the back head, and waited. As the locomotive(s) ahead in the train started moving, they stretched the slack and the train started to move.
At one time, I experimented with Kadee #4's to put a little drawbar cushion in locomotive couplers. However, HO truck springs were a little too large to allow free action, although the principle was sound, in that they softened knuckle "schock" when couplers were stretched. A couple of my locomotives are still so equipped, although I gave up on the idea as "overkill". boB Nicholson _________________________________________________- --- In [email protected], "Ed" <Loizeaux@...> wrote: > > > The #5 has plenty of slack action on a long train <snip> > > Fred T > > Annoyed in Tennessee > > Fred...No need to be annoyed, you have company. I am plenty happy with the > #5 couplers and the slack action between knuckles is enough to simulate the > real effect for me. For kicks, I once added just enough cars so that the > engine would slip drivers when attempting to start the train on an uphill > grade. The train did not budge. But after backing a bit and then restarting > in the forward direction, the slack action was apparent and the train slowly > started moving up the hill. The HO guys couldn't believe their eyes (and > ears!). What a way to sell S. Not one of them converted, but they went home > impressed. Ed L. > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
