Info on Huet Switchers?

Hi, Everyone,

Today the Huet switchers arrived. I haven't yet tested them on switches or curves, but can say the following....

On DC they are functional, with directional lights and very good pulling power--no electrical connection problems beyond the usual initial warming up stutters. Once warmed up, they are as smooth as AZL and FR locomotives. For DCC operation I'll have to rely on the video on the Huet website, which does show one engine in DCC mode. Detail is excellent for Z scale, as good as and even better than some commercial N scale products. There are, for example, Canadian rerailers on both the CP and CN engines--usually a superdetail. The CN has, as promised, the correct spark arrestor up top. Grab irons and rails are accurately painted and straight. There are windshield wipers. Decals are straight and the paint finish is very good; my one qualm is that the paint on the CP cab differs from the paint on the rest of the body, though this is detectable only in bright flourescent light (some careful weathering will take care of the discrepancy). Certainly they have as good detail as FR and brass AZL engines, which is a high standard. They come packaged in wooden boxes. I'd say that they were well worth the cost

Brian

Good to hear you receieved your order

Xhecxk ttasinboard and z-zcale listas someone has received two Canadian vewsions and has posted initial observations on their performance.

cheers Garth

garthah wrote:

Check trainboard and z-zcale lists someone has received two Canadian versions and has posted initial observations on their performance.

cheers Garth

Garth... Brian has received his CN and CP switchers. His review is also posted just above in this thread.

Glad to see you back!

Hi Brian,

any further reviews? How does the switcher goes through curves and switches?

Cheers
Gerd

Hi,

Curves the switchers are fine on; as I don't have any switches yet, I can't say about those!

Cheers,
Brian

I'm STILL waiting on my single SW-9!

Anyone one else get thiers?

Almost another two months have past... no switcher. Next month, July, will be one year since I paid my deposit.

Alex,
still no luck? Suprised nobody apart from Brian gave a review so far, he can't be the only one that received one so far, or?

Gerd, Shortly after my post... Mr. Huet replied to my e-mail, to include a photo. It appears my version is almost complete, minus weathering and some stack details. He gave no hint on when he might actually complete my single order.

Supposedly, my WP SW-9 is finished and on the way to me!

Here is a video link that Huet sent to me...

HUET WP SW-9

a few photos...



a proto-photo...

WP SW-9 #602

Alex, I hope yours doesn't jerk as much as the one in the video. When watching it I noticed the rolling stock bouncing around like crazy behind the switcher. At least it looks like you will finally get your long awaited switcher.

Stonebridge Models wrote:

Alex, I hope yours doesn't jerk as much as the one in the video. When watching it I noticed the rolling stock bouncing around like crazy behind the switcher. At least it looks like you will finally get your long awaited switcher.

Karin, I will be sure to post a performance review once I receive my version. As for the 'jerk', I have to wonder if that is not the somewhat usual MTL coupler play, along with some track issues.

Alex,
The 'jerk' is contributed by a uneven running loco e.g. intrupted power pick-up or issues with the gears. The MTL couplers are just the evidence of it, not the cause. Looking forward to your review.

I received my Huet switcher today. Folks... don't waste your money. At least not until he works out a few more issues. I will be returning mine to Huet.

The shell looks good. The "jerking" seen in the video is not the loco... at least to my eyes. It runs smooth... on straight track only. As soon as entering a turn, the front truck derails. Seems to me, this would be something easy for him to find.



This is the front wheel set, the long-hood running forward. If I run it in reverse... no problems with the other wheel set. It appears to be a function of weight distribution.



An interesting note... if I am reading the French correctly, my WP SW9 is only his third unit.

I'm trying to shoot some video of the front truck jumping the rails. Not easy to do using a still image digital camera. More to follow...

Finally!!!!!!

Someone has posted a photo of the mysterious under carriage of a Huet Switcher!!!

Looks awesomely confined in that tiny space, but awesome!!!

Hobo Tim

I should add another bit of detail information. I'm testing my Huet switch on Rokuhan track... R195mm, 45-degree curves. I would think for a switcher, it would be able to handle smaller curves than this.

Part of the problem with staying on the rails would appear to be the flanges: they look much smaller than typical Z Scale flanges, and while smaller flanges is not necessarily a bad thing, performance depends greatly on their shape. Of course, the mechanism could have any number of other problems, and while the design looks reasonably sound, there are likely execution issues--always a hurdle with handmade items.

Looks like he could have done a better job mounting the stacks.I noticed that in previous pics you posted. Do the side frames move with the trucks or are they part of the body? I had a similar engine in O as a kid- but Jersey Central.
Fred

Fred... the side-frames are part of the body.

Mr. Smith... I agree with your observations. If my failing memory serves me correctly, I believe at one time he mentioned about having to mill his own wheel sets. Supposedly, there has been a major redesign since he first started.

Before anyone asks... yes, I have checked wheel gauge.