A 4-6-0 Annie into an 1860s US 4-4-0 goes!

R

robsmorgan

Registered
This was a project I had planned to work on over Christmas, but the weather has been so bad here that I found plenty of time to get on with the experiment......
Could I take a basic Bachmann Annie 4-6-0 chassis and rework the wheel set-up ? ..... AND it would have to 'work' as well as look reasonably.... I emphasise reasonably close** to the prototype. I started modelling the US outline as much because I love Buster Keaton's the General as the availability of reasonably priced s/h rolling stock and bits to work with. So like many others, I've had a go at creating a look-a-like version of the 4-4-0 locomotives of the US Civil War period. There is more to do (i.e. the smoke stack is a temporary one I turned on my wood lathe)

ecce0f846ab4447890475ab4b8f5728a.jpg


** I am not an engineer or particularly knowledgeable regarding the workings of a steam locomotive - so I call my effort the GENERIC. The locomotive does work on my indoor short test track, but is awaiting the r/c installation and a break in the Welsh weather to run it outdoors...... If anyone is interested, I am happy to post details/diagrams of what I've done including relocating the 6'6" rather than 5' drivers.


Hope to get some footage up on YouTube soon.

Regards
Rob
 
Re:A 4-6-0 Annie into an 1860s US 4-4-0 goes!

Very good Rob:thumbup: You wouldn't know there's any Annie in there! Yes, def interested in more details!
 
Re:A 4-6-0 Annie into an 1860s US 4-4-0 goes!

Rob,

I am also interested, especially about the wheels and did you have to re-gear them?

John
 
Re:A 4-6-0 Annie into an 1860s US 4-4-0 goes!

yes pleasse rob.. willing to be quite and learn..
 
Re:A 4-6-0 Annie into an 1860s US 4-4-0 goes!

Thanks Mik, & John and (only if you are willing to be quite and learn.. Mike :laugh: )

It wasn't as difficult as I expected once I'd gotten past the crucial measurement for the rear driver position.... i.e. high enough to counter the increased wheel diameter plus the distance to the rear required to connect with the drive 'crown' wheel ..... hope the diagram is clear at the reduced resolution for these pages - If not I can email you an A3 copy.

38b0f19f7537428881e4db42fb023cfc.jpg


Here's a photo of the re-location.... note the saddles I added to stop the relocated axle riding up the gears. Bit basic but does the job!

e796e0f8be7b45b784898de93fb96e8c.jpg


Any other questions welcome..... The boiler section was a real botch from bits and pieces (I can post a photo with the Annie boiler in place to compare later if you want it) I also rebuilt the cow catcher from piano wire for better effect :bigsmile:

Thank again
Rob
 
Re:A 4-6-0 Annie into an 1860s US 4-4-0 goes!

PaulRhB said:
Certainly looks like a civil war period loco :) were the wheels commercial items or a find?
Click to expand...
Hi Paul

They were stock items from www.walsallmodelindustries.co.uk I asked them for wheels circa 65mm diam with an appropriate number of spokes and they came up with them - I think they look pretty proto-typical....... I run on radio control so didn't need them to be insulated, but I believe they are available if you are using analogue or digital control.

Regards
Rob
 
Re:A 4-6-0 Annie into an 1860s US 4-4-0 goes!

Rob - what did you do about the gear train?
 
Re:A 4-6-0 Annie into an 1860s US 4-4-0 goes!

Thanks Cogges - but it's not if you look too closely.... the 15 foot rule applies to all my work :bigsmile:

[style="color: #0000ff;"]"Rob - what did you do about the gear train?" Mick[style="color: #0000ff;"]
[style="color: #000000;"]Hi Mick, do you mean the relative position of the gears or the ratios.... if the latter, I haven't needed to do anything, BUT as mentioned before, I have only tested the Generic on a short, straight indoor section using a 9v battery - but if fair shoots along and I have to say, looks very elegant[style="color: #0000ff;"].[style="color: #000000;"]... My real worry is how she will cope with turnouts..... increasing the wheel diameter and moving a pair of the drivers so far back changes the centre of gravity... more weight to add I guess plus my lead saddle mod onto the front pony.

[style="color: #000000;"]For info these are low grade pics of the modding process....
[style="color: #000000;"]First trial with wire conrod & still with Annie boiler

520388bfb35246f6bfa9d96997fa6504.jpg

[style="color: #000000;"]The brass section I squashed and drilled to form the final rods
[style="color: #000000;"]

b06eae71e3bf4b19a9fc691dfcca1f8a.jpg


[style="color: #000000;"]The modification to the Cow Catcher using plasticard and piano wire

[style="color: #000000;"]
2e81da0295cd46beaa402487daa2a3e1.jpg



[style="color: #000000;"]Hope this all makes sense!


[style="color: #000000;"]Regards
[style="color: #000000;"]Rob[style="color: #0000ff;"]
 
Re:A 4-6-0 Annie into an 1860s US 4-4-0 goes!

Me no understand:rolf::rolf::rolf:

I was thinking that if you've moved the axles, how do they mesh, as obviously not only have you moved the axle further to the rear, but also further up into the frame. Is the gear drive train integral with the driving axle?

You might think I should know this - having one or two Annies!

Or is it that the rear axle was moved radially?
 
Re:A 4-6-0 Annie into an 1860s US 4-4-0 goes!

Hi Mick.... I think your expression 'moved radially' is the answer.... I moved the axle to the same distance behind the drive cog as it had been in front PLUS circa 2mm allowed for the higher* point of contact resulting from the larger dia. wheels...... Not so much scientifically as by multi checked line of sight.

*with the manufacturer's wheel size (50mm) the axle gear is slightly below & under the drive cog.

Hope that helps
Rob
 
Re:A 4-6-0 Annie into an 1860s US 4-4-0 goes!

Hi Rob - its me being "El Thicko" - looking back at the pics its immediately obvious (now):rolf::rolf: I usually pride myself on having a grasp on most things (apart from my sanity) but it just didn't register.

Anyway, I think its a great bash, and a source of inspiration.:thumbup: I was looking at some pics this morning of that era - captures it very well!
 
Re:A 4-6-0 Annie into an 1860s US 4-4-0 goes!

rob.. loves the cow catcher... why does it called it and why? i av no expert on old times steam locos...
 
Re:A 4-6-0 Annie into an 1860s US 4-4-0 goes!

Steve,
I guess it was because they helped move (not catch) cattle roaming across the track in front of the locomotives :bigsmile:


Hi Mick
Try these for an insight into variation & detail for future bashes....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-5ek5EoSPY&feature=related < Link To http://www.youtube.com/wa...PY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vRq4c94PfU&feature=related < Link To http://www.youtube.com/wa...fU&feature=related

The re-enactment was at the site of the 'Golden Spike' where the cross US continent railroad met.

Enjoy
Rob :thumbup:
 
Re:A 4-6-0 Annie into an 1860s US 4-4-0 goes!

Thanks for the explanation Rob. Definitely gives me something to think about re changing driving wheel size on locos. I will be interested to know how the loco performs on a few gradients and also with a load when you get the chance.

Regards,

John
 
Re:A 4-6-0 Annie into an 1860s US 4-4-0 goes!

Well done, a good representation of the rebuilt and restored version of the General. The 1860s appearance was a rather ugly beast!
 
Re:A 4-6-0 Annie into an 1860s US 4-4-0 goes!

Spule 4 said:
Well done, a good representation of the rebuilt and restored version of the General. The 1860s appearance was a rather ugly beast!
Click to expand...

Thanks Garrett - I may weather the Generic back once I completed the r/c installation, as I don't really like locos to look too pristine.... also don't know if I will be able to squeeze the smoke gen & sounds in the reduced boiler/tender sizes..... plus, having removed the chuff axle I may have problems timing the sounds... we'll see :thinking:

Regards
Rob
 
Re:A 4-6-0 Annie into an 1860s US 4-4-0 goes!

If someone else decides they wish to go a similar route, maybe this will help.
http://www.the-ashpit.com/mik/1850s... Aristo-Craft Pacific and a MPC "General" kit
 
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