Another articulated 'folly'

[Tim Brien]

I found another old early 1970's Stainz and a 'wooden' coach and decided on something different. Obviously still a bit more to do yet. My preferred articulation method now is the brass stirrup swivel mount and the 1/16" piano wire 'hinge'.

I will leave the loco in dark brown as is and paint the coach dark green most likely as finding a suitable very dark brown to match the cab may be difficult.

 

[Tim Brien]

Not the prettiest belle at the ball, but it is useful engine. I shortened the boiler, attached the backhead and partially assembled it to get an overall idea. I will add power pickups to the rear/trailing wheel.

 

[ge_rik]

Now that looks like fun! What's the minimum radius curve she'll manage?

Rik

 

[Tim Brien]

Rik,
I would say six foot minimum. I build for my ten foot diameter curves but have one 30 degree section of 6' 6" diameter and on this curve it still had a little bit more swing left in her.

The Stainz is cut back to the minimum. The drive is as long as the chassis (about 1.5" removed). I used the pieces cut from the rear of the cab to build the rivetted reinforcing under the coach body. Nothing goes to waste.

 

[Tim Brien]

Locomotive now mechanically complete. I have stripped, serviced and wired the drive for DCC. I replaced the drive block with a later open spoked wheel version (not the solid metal Stainz type plug wheels).

I temporarily reassembled to check tracking and haulage capacity. The stock onboard weight was cut down to suit the shortened boiler and stock shallow firebox/backheaed moulding. Using the firebox moulding from an LGB #2015/6/7 type drive allows a full length cast weight to be used.

I was very pleased with the performance. While not its capacity, the loco easily hauled its trailing coach plus five other heavy cars at around 10 volts at a medium (suitable) pace. Most likely the set used with this loco will just be two old brown 'wooden' cars to match the style of the trailing car.

Painting and a Massoth 'L' decoder to follow.

 

[spoz]

Was this your prototype?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdtLy8CaEew&feature=player_detailpage

 

[Tim Brien]

Being a native Aussie, I am well aware of the 'coffeepot'. However, my prototype is based on I believe an Austrian narrow-gauge combo. From memory, it only had a single driving axle. I have modified a Stainz to a very short single driving axle postal van but alas its progress has been delayed due other projects.

 

[Tim Brien]

Another thought bubble. In response to Spoz's posting about the famous South Australian 'coffeepot', I thought why not a Euro inspired version. Ideally, the trailer would/should be shorter in length and for operation ideally would be a lot shorter. However, for simplicity, the coach bodies and underframes are specified for a four window coach so adjusting the individual coach length would complicate the roof mouldings and the underframe alignment. I thought, leave the bodies at stock length and 'suffer' the operational consequences (I use ten foot diameter curves).

A 'large' gap will be needed between the loco and trailer to compensate for the overly long trailer. Actually, it would be a relatively simple build and most likely may happen. At present the only investment by me is my time (around two hours building the underframe) and two spare coach chassis. The loco shown is a donor from another project.

Edit: post modified for spelling mistakes.

 

[trammayo]

If only I had had the foresight to use larger radii. As always, I enjoy (and follow) your threads and admire your creations - your a genius with plastic - a true plastic surgeon!

 

[Tim Brien]

Mick,
much appreciated. I do like to create. My mind is constantly humming with new projects (no time to finish those already started though). I have an idea and then progress it.

Well, the 'coffeepot' is a doooooer. I progressed this afternoon sorting out trussrods to reinforce the frame plus think about the coach body arrangement.

For those not familiar with the coffeepot, it is a stream railcoach built in England around 1905. It was contracted by the South Australian government to service the more remote areas of the Flinders Ranges near Adelaide (well, not too near). The trailer comprises two coach bodies separated by a central corridor accessed by steps midway along the car. The front car body was first class and the rear car second class. The loco has been fully restored and is used regularly as a tourist attraction.

Shown is the progressed car body with extended frame, trussrods and bogie truck attached. The entry steps are temporarily positioned so are a little askew.

 

[Tim Brien]

The Euro 'coffeepot' progressed. The coach ends have been blanked off and the roof shortened to suit. There is still roof overhang on the loco end as I will finalise when I have a loco modified to suit.

 

[Tim Brien]

Next step is the cab. It needed a medium profile roofline to match the trailer car. The humble Stainz cab willingly participated in the operation and the original low profile roof and rear wall were removed. A section of medium profile coach roof moulding was grafted on giving the Stainz a new look.

The roof overhang will be sorted at a later date when both cab and trailer rooflines meet to sort out the articulation.

 

[Tim Brien]

Well, I am scraping the bottom of the barrel without sacrificing my few remaining collector sets for spares. Started with a mint early 'growler' and stripped for the red chassis. I then adapted a 1990's Stainz cab and sandwich motor block to fit. The chassis was shortened about one inch and a buffer beam fitted for something different.

The boiler moulding from the growler will also be used along with the valve gear and cylinders. I need to alter the valve gear to fit the sandwich motor block. My spares are very much depleted these days.

 

[Tim Brien]

Growler valve gear fitted to the later model sandwich motor block. Installation required a slight mod to the drive block lower cover plus the connecting rods required 'relieving' to allow mounting on the later model wheels. Lower cover removal for maintenance will be complicated due the need to remove the valve gear.

Second photo shows the shortened growler chassis with the later model sandwich style motor block fitted.

 

[Tim Brien]

Mechanically progressed. Electrics and paint to still be done. Loco good down to six foot diameter curves.

 

[whizzo]

Hi Tim - that looks really smart - I like the look of the loco with the cab moved forward - another idea I will keep in mind for one of the talyllyn locos I had the same problem with the bracket moulding for the connecting rod guard irons I used a piece of brass held on the middle screw with another screw ether side -- onto the bracket -now to get the bottom plate off -just undo the 3 screws hope that makes sence regards Dave

 

[Ferrysteam]

Looks familiar.....

 

[Tim Brien]

I rummaged around the bottom of the now very bare parts bin and located a firebox moulding from the LGB #2015X series locomotives. With a little modification these fill out the Stainz cab beautifully. Also, I can now use a stock length Stainz cast boiler weight due the extended firebox.

 

[Tim Brien]

I ran the loco today to test operation. While happy with the performance a definate must do when I strip to paint are power pickups on the trailing truck. I also allowed a little more give in the articulation, as due the length of the trailer, any minute variation in track longitudinal level caused the loco to lose power contact.

I also fitted weights to the coal and water bunkers to increase weight over the driving wheels to counteract any tipping tendency from the trailer.

 

[Tim Brien]

More projects dealt with finally!!!!