An articulated Diesel RailMotor

[Lordraglan274]

This is a superb conversion of the little Hartland Mack into an articulated Rail Motor. The passenger section is completely scratchbuilt. It was a bargain purchase from Ebay a few weeks ago.

I think the choice of 'Organic Brown' for the livery topped with a 'Slime Green' roof may have put off bidders and was certainly a colour I didnt feel needed to be in my life. So a repaint into my home fleet colours of Chocolate and cream was quickly started, queue jumping other vehicles in the paintshops!

The end result is a delightful little unit for the light railway section and will compliment the Stainz powered tramcars, which is also a decent excuse for a photo of one of them as well. The colour difference is due to todays gloomy weather, but I couldnt wait for a sunny day to take the photo.

Whilst I cannot claim any credit for constructing the model it did require a lot of time and effort to get it into operating condition as in true Ebay form the insides were all loose and the driver was upside down on the cab roof wedged behind a piece of lead weight!
Does anyone know if the unit has anything like it on the real railways, or is it just artistic licence? I cant imagine the Germans using a Mack shunter as a basis for a branch line set.

Syd

 

[Lordraglan274]

Back indoors in the dry, a rear view of the unit. Services are currently suspended whilst extensive track laying is undertaken at Pakefield so the Rail Motor will not see any use for a few weeks yet.

Syd

 

[3Valve]

Dunno if there was a prototype but I likes it

 

[pghewett]

Never seen anything like it but it's really attractive! - and a superb paint job (GW bias showing there...)

GH

 

[garrymartin]

Not an articulated one but Delton made a model of a Mac Railbus so one presumes that they must have existed. Mind you I much prefer your version

 

[Lordraglan274]

I have been searching and found two photos of real Mack railbuses as you thought they existed Garry. It seems to date around 1921.

 

[Bram]

That is a superb buy, I think it looks great Syd

 

[whatlep]

Brilliant item! Like the paint job too.

 

[Lordraglan274]

One of the vehicles that were held in the works whilst the Mack was repainted had its first test run this morning.
It was obtained via GSC Sales Section a few months back in partially repainted condition and needing the motor re-wired.
Now resplendant in the fleet colours and numbered 120 and is an interesting addition to the fleet being an ex-cable car.
Variety is everything at Pakefield Joint.
Syd

 

[dudley]

Like the paint job, brown and cream, nice and what a buy again.

 

[pghewett]

How the new livery improves it! Perhaps there's an Oz prototype lurking somewhere?
I assume that the rewiring job involved conversion to overhead pickup?

GH

 

[gregh]

Not an articulated one but Delton made a model of a Mac Railbus so one presumes that they must have existed. Mind you I much prefer your version

HLW make a 'Mack-type' railbus. http://www.h-l-w.com/Products/locos...on for mine, so yours gives me lots of ideas.

 

[tramcar trev]

One of the vehicles that were held in the works whilst the Mack was repainted had its first test run this morning.
It was obtained via GSC Sales Section a few months back in partially repainted condition and needing the motor re-wired.
Now resplendant in the fleet colours and numbered 120 and is an interesting addition to the fleet being an ex-cable car.
Variety is everything at Pakefield Joint.
Syd

Yes these are quite a nice model... I did a rebuild on mine and converted it into a single ended car for my "Ciyy Circle". The only problem seems to be that the footboards are very high off the ground. I'll eventually replace the globes with LEDS.... mind you this is the most modern car in my fleet, it has air brakes and Motorman weather protection.....

 

[tramcar trev]

How the new livery improves it! Perhaps there's an Oz prototype lurking somewhere?
I assume that the rewiring job involved conversion to overhead pickup?

GH

I think the articulated Mack is rather nice.... Not to sure of an Oz prototype articulated unless you want a Walker or the Coffee Pot....

 

[Lordraglan274]

You have spent a great deal more time with your version Trev, and it is a credit to you. My one is basically a simple repaint with a bow collector fitted (which at present isnt wired up to collect power from the overhead GH) and as yet my driver hasnt got his seat fitted although the controller is there. I am still pleased with the result the repaint has given the car and it will look at home trundling round the garden in the summer along with the other trams and tram engines.

Syd