You are on the money Thorin. ACG knew electronics way back then. AC current was the way to go in the USA at that time with some exceptions with TV & Radio. The tube was the biggie in electronics and rectorfiers as well as converters were very expensive. If anyone in model trains knew electric, it would be ACG. Let's remember, Gilbert has one of the first radio stations in the USA in New Haven, Ct. What was is practical now was not back then. Frank
Sent from my iPhone On Jan 7, 2012, at 8:24 AM, "Thorin" <[email protected]> wrote: > 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. > >
