This is an HO scale electric bus that came in a box with an old ho railroad set a friend got. The pantographs (I guess that is what you'd still call them?) are solid and spring loaded, and have channels in the end that keep them running on powered overhead rails/catenairies. No slot in the track, the front wheels are steered such that when the 2 leads are pulled right or left, the wheels steer that way. The underside is marked eheim, made in Western Germany. No idea what voltage it runs on. Anybody seen something like this?


http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/thumbs/unusual_ho_scale_bus_002.jpg (http://photos.hobbytalk.com/showphoto.php/photo/29835)





Figured it would have been an easy slot car conversion if the power requirements are similar. As is, he was trying to figure out what the rail system looks like.

Figured it would have been an easy slot car conversion if the power requirements are similar. As is, he was trying to figure out what the rail system looks like.


I am uncertain what the rails looked like, but you can bet that when Faller came out with their new track, the bus designer said "D'oh!".;)

Cool bus, BTW. :thumbsup:

I remember those buses.. They was cool on layout..
The layouts had the streets around towns. Guide rails/wires was run at the side of the street like electric wires on pole. The bus would follow the track and made it seem like it was making it's rounds to pick up passengers.

I remember those buses.. They was cool on layout..
The layouts had the streets around towns. Guide rails/wires was run at the side of the street like electric wires on pole. The bus would follow the track and made it seem like it was making it's rounds to pick up passengers.

Thanks GB, I understand they are good representations of electric buses that were/are used in parts of Europe. Would love to see what the wire setup looks like to see how easy it could be replicated. We figured these were cool accessories running scale city streets on railroad layouts, just don't know exactly what it would take to get this one running again.

These Trolley-Buses were manufactured in Germany by "Eheim" (until 1963) and later by "Brawa". :) The production by Brawa ended in 2000. The Buses were guided and powered by overhead-powerlines; a special version for HO Slot-Tracks (Faller AMS) was produced in the 1960s, but as far as I know it wasn't very successful.
Here are some links to some pictures and infos (unfortunately only in german language):

Eheim-Trolleybus: http://www.modellbahnboerse.org/eheim01a.htm

Brawa-Trolleybus: http://www.modellbahnboerse.org/brawa.htm

The Trolley-Buses are still a very popular addition for retro modelrailroad-layouts. From time to time they appear at ebay Germany (ebay.de), but the prices for buses or complete packages are quite high.

Greetings,
Frank

Aurorist! Thank You! Will pass this along!

wow, check the first site and follow the links at the bottom of the page. The Faller track version is pictured, would love to have one of those!

.... that's easy for them to say. ;) ..... nd

btw: Would be awesome to get that thing rolling Split! Your buddy gonna use it or will he let you "borrow" it to use on Splitsville??

.... that's easy for them to say. ;) ..... nd

btw: Would be awesome to get that thing rolling Split! Your buddy gonna use it or will he let you "borrow" it to use on Splitsville??

Don't know, but the "road powered" versions designed for Faller track are way cool too! A lucky find on his part, worth more the $10 train set it came in!

What is it with everyone and their cats? WAY too funny. One of these days I want to do that. Put my 3 cats pictures up as my avatar. I love my furballs. Good stuff.

Cheers,
Xence

What is it with everyone and their cats? WAY too funny. One of these days I want to do that. Put my 3 cats pictures up as my avatar. I love my furballs. Good stuff.

Cheers,
Xence

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, yeah? heh!~ The more, the merrier, Xence! Have at it! :thumbsup: