Dear Jim: I am sorry to say, A.C. Gilbert did not make a mistake.
In 1946 the only really practical way to convert AC to DC was a motor-generator set. Some tube diodes were also available. All of this was very expensive -- way more than the rest of the set. Early HO was DC. It was also run with car batteries. Merklin (who created HO) used A.C. with a line of pegs instead of Lionel's middle third rail. This is still available. The track has one peg per dark tie. Selenium diodes showed up in the 1950s. (Commercial and affordable.) Silicon diodes showed up in the 1960s. Silicon diodes and ICs are now they are so cheap they rule the market. Price was the obstacle that could not be overcome. Remember, Lionel was not the only competition. Marx was alway nibbling at the lower edges. A.C. was right to stick with A.C. Thorin --- In [email protected], WJJIM@... wrote: That has made many circles over time. It WOULD have set A/F apart from Lionel. Would have negated the need for the reversing unit, saving costs, It been more reliable WITHOUT the reversing unit, etc. The disadvantage was the size of the rectifying eqpt at the time. Jim Lyle In a message dated 1/6/2012 5:00:45 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, EKenny8@... writes: had Mr. Gilbert chosen to power his new S gauge trains in 1946 and thereafter with DC power rather than AC power. ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
