HGLW loco bash

[ge_rik]

After picking-up a Houston Gate Loco Works on eBay for a bargain price (as you all know, I'm a bit of a cheapskate!),

the first thing I did was to convert it from manual control to radio control - using a Deltang Rx65c which has been sitting in my spares drawer for a couple of years.

Here's the first RC run ......

As you can see from the video, my next stage will be to convert the body to something more like a conventional centre-cab diesel loco such as this one.....


I've started designing the parts I need in TinkerCad and printing them out


I'll keep you updated as to progress.

Rik

 

[ge_rik]

BTW - I think my purchase was a bit of a bargain, cf......


Although it says it's RC, it says there's no handset with it and I'm not sure what RC it's using. Could that be an early Deltang or Micron receiver controller I see tucked away inside? .......



Rik

 

[PhilP]

Micron MR603b I reckon?
The yellow motor-leads suggest it came from Andy..

PhilP

 

[Miamigo259]

A 2-wheel drive version of that HGLW steeplecab loco is only £31.95 as a brand new kit..........

HGLW - Garden Railway Kits

......though the one you bought seems to have the "deluxe chassis" which pushes it up to £39.75.

I've used several of the 2 wheel drive basic chassis and they can actually pull quite a lot of stock behind them - i.e. 5 bogie Bachmann freight cars!

 

[ge_rik]

A 2-wheel drive version of that HGLW steeplecab loco is only £31.95 as a brand new kit..........

HGLW - Garden Railway Kits

......though the one you bought seems to have the "deluxe chassis" which pushes it up to £39.75.

I've used several of the 2 wheel drive basic chassis and they can actually pull quite a lot of stock behind them - i.e. 5 bogie Bachmann freight cars!

The Phil Sharples kit is £42 (an extra £3 if you want the 4wd pulley system). So, not far off in terms of compatibility. It depends, I suppose, on how much you would charge for having the kit assembled and painted. Clearly, the chap who sold me the HGLW loco assumed he should charge less than the cost of the kit for his finished loco, whereas Rails of Sheffield feel they should charge c£50 extra for having the kits constructed and painted.

They have another PS kitbuilt loco with receiver fitted (and no handset) going for the same price - same principle I suppose.

Rik

 

[ge_rik]

Two steps forward and one step back.

I decided to move the cab back by 15mm to tie in with the loco I'm using as my inspiration. This required quite a bit of hacking about with a razor saw and Stanley knife. The old body was rubbed down and I then glued on the bonnets and window frames and gave the body a couple of coats of Halfords plastic filler primer.


So far, so good. However unfortunately, the primer reacted badly with whatever paint had been used previously ....



This has happened before with other models I've bashed over the years. So, more filling and rubbing down required.

I was determined to keep as much of the original locos as I could (in true TV Repair Shop fashion), but I'm beginning to wonder if it might have been easier to 3D print the new body in its entirety. Such is life......

Rik

 

[ge_rik]

I've now done a bit of remedial work.


Most of the deeper crevasses have been filled and flatted, but there are still a few dints to be filled and a few hillocks to be smoothed off.




Rik

 

[ge_rik]

In the meantime, I've been painting some of the fittings for the cab


Sorry about the major surgery on the driver, but it's the only way I can fit him in.

Rik

 

[David1226]

Oh dear, he must have spent too long in The Railway Arms, to end up legless.

David

 

[GAP]

I've now done a bit of remedial work.
View attachment 324264

Most of the deeper crevasses have been filled and flatted, but there are still a few dints to be filled and a few hillocks to be smoothed off.
View attachment 324265

View attachment 324266

Rik

Rik
Leave the imperfections and weather them in as a bit of repaired rust it will add character.

 

[Chris Vernell]

Oh dear, he must have spent too long in The Railway Arms, to end up legless.

David

Ben Battle is his name

 

[ge_rik]

Apart from the addition of couplings plus a bit more detailing and some minor tidying-up, the refurb is more or less complete.


Rik

 

[ge_rik]

I've also installed a cheap soundcard from AliExpress. The engine note is supposed to follow the engine speed, but the servo output from the Deltang Rx65c seems to be adversely affected when the motor is connected. Not figured out why yet. I'll need to do some more tweaking.

I've got a couple of Micron MR603s on the way, so I might give one of them a try to see if its servo output performs better.

Rik

 

[ge_rik]

BTW - here's the sound module I used (though it's risen in priced by £1 since I bought mine)

4.17ï¿¡ 83% OFF|Rc Diesel Engine Simulation Sound Module 5-8.4v Input 2w Small Horn Speaker For Remote Control Car Boat Airplane Diy Model - Parts & Accs - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

Rik

 

[PhilP]

The loco does look good...

I will have to send you a couple of my UFOs to complete!

PhilP

 

[Rhinochugger]

BTW - here's the sound module I used (though it's risen in priced by £1 since I bought mine)

4.17ï¿¡ 83% OFF|Rc Diesel Engine Simulation Sound Module 5-8.4v Input 2w Small Horn Speaker For Remote Control Car Boat Airplane Diy Model - Parts & Accs - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

Rik

Ah, Philp might be able to help you - we had some issues with a cheapo sound module, and he developed a piece of electronic trickery to do the deed

 

[PhilP]

Ah, Philp might be able to help you - we had some issues with a cheapo sound module, and he developed a piece of electronic trickery to do the deed

Different problem, but we are talking here, and in another place..

PhilP

 

[ge_rik]

The loco does look good...

I will have to send you a couple of my UFOs to complete!

PhilP

UFOs??

Rik

 

[RDFMTS2]

UFOs??

Rik

Un Finished Objects

 

[ge_rik]

I was asked on Youtube about the hauling capabilities of the loco. At the time, I had no idea. But I added couplings yesterday and so today did a highly sophisticated load test - basically adding wagons until the wheels just started slipping. It pulled 13 LGB skips plus a brake van. Far more than I will actually need in practice as James performs shunting duties at the sand quarry sidings.

Rik