Converting 9V train into R/C

[Badsneaker]

Has anyone done any converting 9V locos into R/C? Reason I ask is I have R/C trains not 9V. I do not want to invest in the tracks, regulators etc to run 9V. I do however wish to have cool locos like the Santa Fe and would like to run them on my R/C track.

[Freddie]

No one has, because most of us have plenty of 9V to begin with. ;)

Nonetheless, here's how I'd do it. Use the R/C-baseplate (a combined baseplate, battery box and receiver) for a tender car. And then you simply connect the motor to the base' output. The motor can either be in the tender or in the locomotive itself - for handling reasons the motor should be in the front of the train, so a motor at the front of the locomotive is preferable. Also, the R/C-base is capable of powering the old 9V-motor (provided you don't run it on 9V-rails!), but I don't know how that will affect battery life. Don't expect 9V-performance either, the base is limited in its output, as proven when an R/C motor leeches power from the old motor.

The best advice right now, however, is to wait for the new system due for release next year. It'll apparently use the same motors and rails, but with a new control system and a new, independent, and rechargable battery-box.

[FreeBee]

Has anyone done any converting 9V locos into R/C? I wish to have cool locos like the Santa Fe and would like to run them on my R/C track.

I never converted them because i dont have RC-trains. But it should not

be difficult to convert them.

Just switch the baseplates and do some moccing to correct the length:

RC-baseplate is bigger then an 9V one.

RC-Basplate 6 x 30:

9V-Basplate 6 x 28:

[Badsneaker]

I never converted them because i dont have RC-trains. But it should not

be difficult to convert them.

Just switch the baseplates and do some moccing to correct the length:

RC-baseplate is bigger then an 9V one.

RC-Basplate 6 x 30:

9V-Basplate 6 x 28:

This looks doable, but looking at LEGO.COM maybe I should invest in 9V since most of the speed regulators and motors are half price now. Or maybe I should just wait. What is in store for us with the updated trains? Anyone have any sneak pics or info as to what TLG is coming out with for trains?

[legotrainfan]

This looks doable, but looking at LEGO.COM maybe I should invest in 9V since most of the speed regulators and motors are half price now. Or maybe I should just wait. What is in store for us with the updated trains? Anyone have any sneak pics or info as to what TLG is coming out with for trains?

This is the BEST idea! Just take advantage of the reduced prices and buy some 9V stuff as long as you can!

As for converting 9V trains to RC trains: if you plan on buying the Santa Fe Super Chief 10020 (you seem to be interested in purchasing that engine), you could use the RC baseplate as a B-unit. But I'm warning you! The Super Chief is a heavy train, especially with all waggons added, and I'm not sure if an RC motor is enough to move it; I think it is not.

[FreeBee]

This is the BEST idea! Just take advantage of the reduced prices and buy some 9V stuff as long as you can!

I don't think this is wise to do. 9volt is discontinued and if you are now

starting with trains its allready impossible to buy straight and lanechangers from

SAH. Also the curves, motors and the speed regulators are on sale and will soon

be removed from SAH.

So take that in consideration. If you start with 9V you'll soon have to buy

from ebay/briclink.

[brickzone]

I have no motorised trains, but have the Hobby Train and Holiday Train and plain track (incl. some secondhand old track). I personally am waiting for the new Train system before looking at motorisation. I hope they bring out a single good value starter set to do this.

9V is appealling but it's too pricy for me.

[Eilif]

I do however wish to have cool locos like the Santa Fe and would like to run them on my R/C track.

As other folks have shown with the pictures, it shouldn't be hard to use the RC/IR system to run trains designed during the 9v era. However, you should know that heavier designs like the Santa Fe or BNSF will severely limit the number of train cars you can pull. The IR system has a fairly weak motor so with a Santa Fe engine you may only be able to pull a car or two. You could try using two IR engines together (perhaps one in a loco and one in a tender?), but you would probably want them on different channels so that you could be sure that you could make the proper speed adjustments for each motor.

I don't mean to throw up too many obstacles. Just wanted to let you know what you are getting into. Good luck.

[Joebot]

This looks doable, but looking at LEGO.COM maybe I should invest in 9V since most of the speed regulators and motors are half price now. Or maybe I should just wait. What is in store for us with the updated trains? Anyone have any sneak pics or info as to what TLG is coming out with for trains?

We had a few comments from TLC earlier this year on the upcoming train theme, but things have been very quiet lately. No one really knows what they're up to. Presumably some sort of RC function rather than electricity-conducting rails. That's about all we know for sure.

I'm was REALLY hoping we'd get some pictures when the early '09 sets leaked onto the web, but there was nothing in there about trains. I guess they're coming later in the year.

Fans like yourself are in a tough spot -- sit and wait, or try to invest in the remains of the 9V line. I don't know what's the best route to take.