RC versus electric train

[Jay]

Hi, I just read that long comparrion between LGB and the various types of PMB trains. Very interesting. But, did I read correctly that the RC trains can be used on the old metal tracks, without using the electrical power?  I've avoided those newer ones for a long time because I thought the plastic tracks looked toyish.

[flatcat]

Yes, they can be run on the metal tracks

Damo

[tahra]

Well, me thinks the RC locos run WITHOUT rails..

And yes, the plastic rails look a bit.. lacking, but I'm not sure how easy it is to get the others. I suppose they're the same as LGB still, so that might not be a problem. However, regarding cost and weight, probably there's a HUGE difference.

I have a couple of RC ones, all plastic tracks.. and the Western Loco - have NO IDEA if it works, since we don't have ANYTHING else from electric trains...

[tonguello]

Well, me thinks the RC locos run WITHOUT rails..

yeah but they just go straight and backwards I believe... it is the rails that gives them the sense of direction. I mean without rails they can't turn.

[flatcat]

It's not advisable to run the trains without rails, as they will pick up lots of dust and dirt from the floor and it will get inside

Not that I'm suggesting that your floors aren't clean

Damo

[tahra]

yeah but they just go straight and backwards I believe... it is the rails that gives them the sense of direction. I mean without rails they can't turn.

Of course, there's no steering on the remote.. - though that'd be cool

Not that I'm suggesting that your floors aren't clean

   Let's say we presently have 2 cats and a bitchy. Not sure if the floors know what "clean" is..  And the playmoplace (where they never were used) is still in progress, so..

[schluss]

Hi,

if the western loco is #4054 or from set #4034, this loco needs power via the tracks....it will not work on the plastic ones...

I have a couple of RC ones, all plastic tracks.. and the Western Loco - have NO IDEA if it works, since we don't have ANYTHING else from electric trains...

[Playmo_80]

a little bit of physic to explain difference between electric and RC train:

electricity propagates through a conductor like metal track, so for electric train you need metal track to allow the electricity to travel from the power supply to the train's motor.

For RC train the electric signal (electromagnetic wave) propagates through the air, it's like a tv remote, so you don't need specific track, you can use RC train on plastic and/or metal tracks....

you can hold the RC train in your hand and turn the red button of the command and you will see the wheels begin to roll....If you do the same thing with the power supply for the electric train nothing will happen...

[tahra]

if the western loco is #4054 or from set #4034, this loco needs power via the tracks....it will not work on the plastic ones...

(it's 4054 )

I know it doesn't work on plastic tracks... uhm.. wait... You mean there's nothing really "electric" about it? Something that can be "broken"?  I know it's supposed to get power from the rails..

I know nothing of trains     

[Playmo_80]

...the plastic rails look a bit.. lacking, but I'm not sure how easy it is to get the others. I suppose they're the same as LGB still...

There is no Playmobil metal tracks....metal tracks sold with Playmobil train are made by LGB a German company.