A471 - A496 Adtranz (220 001-026) & Bombardier (220 027-036)

[BarbaPanagos]

220 006 again, Inoi 17/3/2016

[BarbaPanagos]

220 004 at Agios Ioannis workshop, 27/4/2016

[christo]

A friend has written to me with the following question:

Are Ultrascale replacement wheels suitable for the AC version of the Alpha Trains model? Since all my re wheeled models are DC I have no idea so I am hoping some AC friend can help us.

christo.

[Andreas]

A friend has written to me with the following question:

Are Ultrascale replacement wheels suitable for the AC version of the Alpha Trains model? Since all my re wheeled models are DC I have no idea so I am hoping some AC friend can help us.

christo.

Hi Christo,

there are always two things to bear into mind.

1) Compatibility of the axles with the electrics: I have rebuilt locos with DC axles into AC w/o exchanging them. The Rebuilding was merely the pickup of the wheels attaching them to the same poling and installing a pickup shoe in the middel of one bogie. Since the DC axles are isolated there is absolutely no prob. Also today the electonics are not a problem because AC locos are equiped with decoders that do all the work.

2) Wheel profile: I have done rebuilts/conversions only with NEM wheel profiles. These do not pose a problem to the Märklin tracks especially if you use C- and K-Gleis. For the M- system I am not 100% sure but it should work out. The problem though with the ultrascale wheels are that they are RP25 (0.65mm flange depth) and furthermore Code88 wheel windth (2.2mm instead of 2.8mm - Code110 which is normal). This will give various problem in the operations as the Märklin trackwork is quite chunky. Especially in the crossings the wheels will fall in causing a bump and if I see the "speeds" Märklin people use then derailments are almost sure. Even for DC people Rocoline, Geoline, Fleischmann, Trix trackwork will have problems in the crossings with bumps. Tillig Elite, Peco Finescale and Weinert mein Gleis are fine with RP25 Code 110 and Code 88.

So the answer is yes but the operations are not secure with other trackwork except the above three mentioned.

Cheers
Andreas

[christo]

Many thanks Andreas . I will prompt the friend to read your extended reply.

christo.

[Andreas]

Dear Christo,

I would also like to mention that all three systems (Tillig, Weinert and Peco) is possible to adapt to AC. A german producer makes the middle contacts for these systems:

http://www.weichen-walter.de/ww-onlines ... h=29_10_27

http://www.weichen-walter.de/ww-onlines ... h=29_10_35

Cheers
Andreas

[BarbaPanagos]

220 033 & 220 011 at Agios Ioannis 26/9/2016

[BarbaPanagos]

220 019 at AIR Engine Shed, 26/9/2016

[christo]

Some time ago I sold my remaining stock of Adtranz locos to Les from Chartwell Models. If any of you bought any, I would be happy to supply you with dummy bogies out of 3D plastic and utilizing the original bogie sideframes of Alpha Trains. Price around £100 per pair. Offer open to only those who bought one (Les has a list) because there are no spare side frames.

christo.

[christo]

These dummies will have electrical pick ups and normal metal wheels or better quality Ultrascale ones (without the middle cog). Les has now provided me with the list of purchasers so I wait your declaration of interest if any.

christo.