Building an RC Traction Engine

[The Tinker]

Fantastic effort Great model

 

[idlemarvel]

Very nice. I like the casual stance of the driver. You would have to be very confident to drive one of those beasts on your own with one hand in your pocket!
I think even Fred Dibnah would have balked at that.

 

[dunnyrail]

I've just about got it finished. Painting done, and I've about had enough of it. Time to call it a day.
here's the video of it running around Lilyvale.

Really puts some life into the High Street, love it.

 

[Zerogee]

I've just about got it finished. Painting done, and I've about had enough of it. Time to call it a day.
here's the video of it running around Lilyvale.

That seems to run (and steer) just fine, Greg!
Re the comment on the video about no room for a speaker.... you could always use one of the little "flat" Visaton ones like the smallest type that Massoth supply, about 25mm diameter and no more than 4-5mm thick, and stick it underneath the roof pointing downwards? I've done this inside the cab roofs of several locos where there was no other practical option for speaker mounting, and it really can't be seen from any "normal" viewing angle....

Jon.

 

[gregh]

Very nice. I like the casual stance of the driver. You would have to be very confident to drive one of those beasts on your own with one hand in your pocket!
I think even Fred Dibnah would have balked at that.

I was going to mention the super-confident driver. He had both hands in his pockets to start. I've chopped one so far and moved his arm. Must do the 2nd arm and then make some hands for him!

That seems to run (and steer) just fine, Greg!
Re the comment on the video about no room for a speaker....
Jon.

I have ordered some 'lap top' speakers - 6mm thick, so will try them out. Problem is how to get wires up to roof - the roof is removable. I have used speakers in the roof for 2 other locos - not great.

 

[dunnyrail]

I was going to mention the super-confident driver. He had both hands in his pockets to start. I've chopped one so far and moved his arm. Must do the 2nd arm and then make some hands for him!

I have ordered some 'lap top' speakers - 6mm thick, so will try them out. Problem is how to get wires up to roof - the roof is removable. I have used speakers in the roof for 2 other locos - not great.

Have you thought about Sugar Cube Soeakers populat for small 00 Locomotives, they really are quite small. But probably not that cheep.

 

[gregh]

Have you thought about Sugar Cube Soeakers populat for small 00 Locomotives, they really are quite small. But probably not that cheep.

Before I'd consider them, I'd need to hear some testimonials from G scale outdoor users.
I know When I'm installing sound systems in locos on my indoor bench, it sounds really loud - the wife usually complains. Then I take it outside and from 5 m away I can hardly hear it.

 

[gregh]

Very nice. I like the casual stance of the driver. You would have to be very confident to drive one of those beasts on your own with one hand in your pocket!
I think even Fred Dibnah would have balked at that.

He's finally taken his hand out of his pocket.
I've given him a couple of hands now - but my model hands end up looking like seal flippers.

 

[ge_rik]

Brilliant, Greg! Sounds/looks like you've cracked the various problems with the steering circuitry and programming. I wonder if it's got anything to do with the driver now having his hands (or flippers) on the steering wheel

Rik

 

[GAP]

Greg,
With regard to the sound, could you reduce the boiler length so that it does not go so far into the chassis and put a speaker in the box area left making it a sort of amplifying box?
If room is an issue I have shoehorned a Hobbyking RX into the backhead of a loco similar to a Stainz by taking off the plastic body, once the body is removed the circuit board is not that bulky and the pins can be bent to fit the plug or maybe the connection could be hardwired to the board.
It could be mounted over the PICAXE board leaving enough room for a sound board or running a parallel program in the PICAXE that is just a chuff with no variation.
Food for thought or maybe some tormenting depending on the point of view, you can chastise me on my next visit.

 

[gregh]

Greg,
With regard to the sound, could you reduce the boiler length so that it does not go so far into the chassis and put a speaker in the box area left making it a sort of amplifying box?
If room is an issue I have shoehorned a Hobbyking RX into the backhead of a loco similar to a Stainz by taking off the plastic body, once the body is removed the circuit board is not that bulky and the pins can be bent to fit the plug or maybe the connection could be hardwired to the board.
It could be mounted over the PICAXE board leaving enough room for a sound board or running a parallel program in the PICAXE that is just a chuff with no variation.
Food for thought or maybe some tormenting depending on the point of view, you can chastise me on my next visit.

Thanks for the suggestions Graeme. It possible I could cut the boiler where it projects into the 'box'. I had left it there as I was worried about the strength of just gluing a short tube section onto the box front. BUt maybe a whole lot of epoxy around the joint would be strong enough. I do tend to lift the engine up by the boiler when I'm not thinking.
Interesting idea to take the hobbyking Rx out of its case. Filed away for future reference. I have an old failed Rx, so could experiment with that.