An Introduction To The Faller Car System

FCS photo
Photo: Faller

Would you like model road vehicles that can move under their own power? Would you like them in a commonly used scale? Would you like the guidance system to be invisible? Would you like to buy them ready to run over the counter? Believe it or not, you can.

The Faller Car System is one of the best kept secrets in the hobby. Even the importers of this German made system seem to be reluctant to advertise it.

FCS photo
Photo: Faller

The concept is very simple. Each road vehicle is fitted with a motor powered by a rechargeable battery and a steering arm to guide the vehicle around roads. The arm carries a small magnet that follows the path of a steel wire underneath the road surface so both the guidance and propulsion systems are effectively invisible to the viewer.

Add to this the ability to start and stop vehicles as well as to switch routes at junctions and the resulting display verges on magical.

If you are firmly wedded to the British bus scene then you will have to use the mechanisms fitted with new bodywork. The mechanism is delicate and there is a limit to the weight that it will bear before the guide arm ceases to function.

Plastic and resin bodyshells are perfectly suitable for use with the mechanism. A light die-cast such as the EFE BET single deck can also be used although the extra weight may have adverse long term effects on the motor and gears. Heavier die-casts such as the OOC Bristol 'L' and white-metal kits are usually not suitable without further work on the chassis.

If you have the skill to scratchbuild in plastic then you will probably also have the nerve to cut the mechanism apart to make it the right size and shape to fit in your chosen prototype.

Specifications:

 

 Actual 1/87th scale 1/76th scale
Minimum radius (for bus) 15cm approx. 13m 11.5m
Recommended distance between guide wires (opposite direction) 5.3cm
Note 1		 4.6m 4m
Minimum distance between guide wires (same direction) 4mm 0.35m 0.3m
Minimum radius (supplied) 18.5cm 16m 14m
Maximum operational gradient 7% (1 in 14) Note 2 Note 2
Vehicle speed 22cm/sec approx. 70km/hr approx. Note 3

Note 1: This is for 1/87th scale vehicles on minimum radius supplied.

Note 2: Gradient is not a scaleable quantity.

Note 3: If 1/76th scale wheels are fitted then scale speed will be the same as for 1/87th scale.

On-Line Retailers

Faller-Direct

Gaugemaster UK distributors for Faller

M G Sharp Models in Sheffield

Model Railway Shop

You can order spare parts direct from Faller Customer Services - the quicket and easiest method to get hold of vital parts.

Yahoo Group

Faller Car System Yahoo Group