Electricity has always been problematic; Even though, it does many functions and serves many purposes. Not only does its molecular polarity provide energy, it also conducts Radio Frequencies. Those of you, who run Transformer controlled Locos, pride yourselves as not having “Electronic Melt-downs” – Which is a great thing. There are the occasional voltage spikes that melt wires and burn light bulbs though.
Electronic cards are much more sensitive to the power source it receives, due to the fact that they function on much lower voltages (Due to heat and space requirements). Clean power is much more critical to these cards, but it’s almost impossible to attain – unless we install Sine-wave filters in our home’s power supply. Prime example is the water that comes out of our faucets. Radio frequencies abound our homes and we pay little attention to them (Telephones, Microwaves, Televisions, Ect.). They also have an impact on the train’s operation.
Realism does come at a price. Reliability is much more expensive to achieve. The train manufacturers can not afford to implement these technologies, if we are not willing to share the burden of cost. Most of you guys are into the “Old Technology”, not because of its simplicity – but because of COST (3 T/C Locos for the price of 1 Legacy Loco).
Model Railroading to me, is creating “Realism”. We use our imagination to “Live” the fantasy. The Sounds; the autonomy of being able to run several trains at the same time on the same track, is a part of what makes the experience real. To me, pre-electronics is like being “Deaf-Mute” *. There is no communication in that experience.
Courtesy of Juan @
http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/p/181136/1983004.aspx
