Here's a good one for anyone who knows classic woodies- how do the lights on a NAD Century Flyer train stay lit while the train is in motion? Is there a small generator somewhere inside the first car of each train that illuminates the headlights, or perhaps some kind of battery? Also, did the center light on the trains actually pivot, and if so, what caused that to happen?
Just something I was always curious about... if there were people that know, I figured I would find them here!
I believe they used batteries and that is why some parks opted not to use the lights because you have to recharge the batteries and make sure they are securely mounted.
The reason I think the NAD trains had batteries is that if a generator was used the lights would dim when the train was traveling slow and be completely out while stopped and I seem to remember the lights still shining while the train was unloading and loading.
Somebody correct me if I am thinking wrong.
Jim W.
Wildfire in 12 days.
The have a car-size battery that is mounted on the front left side of the first car. It is a rechargeable type. Quite a treat to still see one in operation. Conneaut Lake Park has one installed on one of their trains.
Let's see, Kennywood, Coneaut Lake, and Camden Park use Century Flyers. Who else still has them?
La Montana Rusa in Mexico City. Conneaut's Blue Streak came to be about 1964. The are legendary in fact due to they do not have undercarrige wheels. They have dog ears, which is a piece of iron that is about 4 sq. inches. They are all that holds the trains to the track. It leads to quite a fast ride where some of the wheels do not touch the track on fast days. Just a bit rough sometimes too.
If I'm not mistaken, didn't Fred Chruch's Bobs coasters utilize a similar arrangement, with metal plates that acted as an alternative to upstop wheels?
I was on the Kennywood Thunderbolt about 5 years ago, and if I remember correctly, the headlights didn't work (perhaps they had been covered over like I see in pictures of the Lincoln Park Comet trains). I do remember seeing pictures of the Conneaut Lake Blue Streak with operating headlights... does the Camden Park Big Dipper operate the headlights?
Also, I think the Century Flyer trains on La Montana Rusa were modified by CCI a few years ago, I believe the fronts of the trains have been replaced by some kind of ornate decoration, therefore the trains are not true Century Flyers anymore.
You are probably right on the Mexico trains. I do not believe Camden park has operating lights.
