PlaymoFriends
General => Trains! => Topic started by: kaethe on November 13, 2012, 15:57:49
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I have a western locomotive and coal car (4054), two passenger cars (4120) and the caboose (4123)
http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/sets.pl?theme=Western+Train&sortby=setnum&focus=all
and I would like to put them on a circular or oval track under my Christmas tree this year. My son received these as hand-me-downs from friends many years ago, without the track, so I actually do not know if it actually works. I do not plan to ever set up a working playmobil train as I have my father's massive train collection from the 1920s complete with switches, crossings, everything and it works well, when I take the time to set it up (and vacuum all of the dog fur off of the floor). Is the western train compatible with the current 4385 type curved track
http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Product-Detail?pid=4385&cgid=Ds_Eisenbahn
for display purpose only? If so, how many pieces are needed to make a circle and how large is it?
thanks
kaethe
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If you do not want the train to work, yes the guage is the same and I think it takes 12 to make a circle. Do you want to borrow some brass track and a transformer to actually make it work? I could/would bring some down the next time we go the SF. I have way to many curves at the moment and could spare some untill next year. I am planning a garden railway and will need them eventually but not now.
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Rasputin is right, 12 pieces of either the plastic or brass track make a full circle and having it running is much more fun than having it standing still. :)
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If so, how many pieces are needed to make a circle and how large is it?
Look HERE (http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=8881.msg172854#msg172854), the radius of the tracks is written there...
2x radius = diameter = 106 cm
+ 10 cm (outside profile edges) = 116 cm = 1,16 m
or in brass (LGB):
2x radius = 120 cm
+ 10 cm = 130 cm = 1,30 m
circle = 12 curves
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The brass tracks have different degree turns and I think I have two or three kinds that would make different sized circles. I will check the turn numbers
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The brass tracks have different degree turns and I think I have two or three kinds that would make different sized circles. I will check the turn numbers
LGB curves are R1 (the standard Playmobil one), R2, R3 and R5, but the last three I don't think were ever issued with Playmobil sets. All are 12 pieces to a full circle, but the circles are each bigger than the previous size.
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LGB curves are R1 (the standard Playmobil one), R2, R3 and R5, but the last three I don't think were ever issued with Playmobil sets. All are 12 pieces to a full circle, but the circles are each bigger than the previous size.
Just in case Kaethe has a giant tree and she was a very good girl for Christmas time ;)
More presents = more diameter needed
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If you do not want the train to work, yes the guage is the same and I think it takes 12 to make a circle. Do you want to borrow some brass track and a transformer to actually make it work? I could/would bring some down the next time we go the SF. I have way to many curves at the moment and could spare some untill next year. I am planning a garden railway and will need them eventually but not now.
Rasputin
Thank you so much for the offer. I am tempted to take you up on it, but...
I can see it now, having the train running one year, is that going to lead to a search for the parts to have it up and running every year!!!
Are the track and motors difficult to find? I can use non Playmobil, correct? If so, I could go to a local train store not too far from where I live and possibly purchase new track?
Playmofire, Zugpferchen, thank you as well for the info. You are right, of course it would be so much more fun to have it running.
kaethe
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The reason I made the offer is so you could try it out and then you would have a whole year to decide but at least you are making a decision with knowledge. The track is expensive...new up to $7 per foot, used $4. The tracks, motors are not hard to find. The track, if you can not find them locally but there is a store in Novato, is on auction and so are the playmoibl/LGB motor blocks. I think the motors are around $60-ish right now, I only see those on auctions.
Also I have the plastic track as well if you want to try that?
I love excuses to go to SF as I like to take the kids to the museums, parks, events, church, and the overall experience of SF.
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Rasputin, I cannot turn down such a generous offer.
I will PM you with details of meeting.
kaeth