Hsb 5 Kuppler On Test

[GNB]

Here's some images of the test run, in the Northern Winter sun, of a recently updated an LGB HSB 99 6001 (26813) with a Massoth XLS. Copes well with curves and pulls well up gradients with up to five double bogied carriages. Sound is excellent and co-ordinates well with the on-board pulse generator and analogue smoke unit. Bonus was that F2 activates both the bell and the the very effective flickering firebox.

On a large radius curve.


Elevated section with LGB 2nd radius curve, front view. Even greater elevation on the rack in the background.


On a tighter radius (LGB 2nd)




Has to be some heather this far North!


Built in analog smoke function works well with XLS sound card.

 

[stockers]

Very nice pictures. Superb engine.
But it wasn't updated from a 99 6001 - that's a C coupler.

 

[GNB]

Thanks for the correction - I'm sorry I should have said "updating an LGB HSB 99 7238-1(26813) with a Massoth XLS. I'm currently planning a similar update of my old 99 6001 and confusion reigns when you get the wrong side of 70.

For those interested in the articulation of these large locomotives around the very tight LGB radius 1 curves here's how it appears to be achieved..
The trailing 4 driven wheels are articulated and sprung around the dark screw shown in the centre of the drive train. This is located just behind the two centre driven wheels with traction tyres. The leading two wheels are not directly driven and are allowed to articulate in the lateral plane. Additional movement is achieved by allowing all the axles to float laterally. The downside is the much increased lateral clearances when negotiating tight curves. The detailed driving rods perform similar lateral contortions whilst maintaining a driven link to all the wheels.

The image also illustrates a useful tip when manipulating these large and heavy locos whose running gear has a tendency to wander alarmingly. Carefully place the loco in the polystyrene shallow base of the original LGB packing and accurately locate the deeper lid. Holding the two pieces firmly together invert the closed box and carefully remove the base. This allows easy access to the underside to clean the wheels/pickups or access the numerous screws to separate the body from the chassis.

 

[stockers]

It is a great model. I love mine. Twin motors, all wheel drive - pulls like as - well - a train!.

 

[Zerogee]

Is that a KISS Fiffi (or Pfiffi, can't read the number!) behind the Funfkuppler, Alan?
If you have one of those, guess you won't be in the market for one of the forthcoming TL45 ones then....?

Jon.

 

[stockers]

Its not mine Jon. Belongs to Kentkeith, and the photo is on his line. Yes, it is a Kiss model. That one is Fiffi, Keith also has Pfiffi, with the shorter tanks.
And I will be after a TL one.

 

[Zerogee]

Its not mine Jon. Belongs to Kentkeith, and the photo is on his line. Yes, it is a Kiss model. That one is Fiffi, Keith also has Pfiffi, with the shorter tanks.
And I will be after a TL one.

Ah, OK.... wonder if they are the pair that were (VERY briefly) on sale secondhand at GRS last year? I saw the boxes while they were still there (sold but not yet collected), Matt said that somebody had immediately grabbed them both as soon as they were offered for sale.....

Can't be TOO long now before the TL45 one hits the shops...... or can it?

Jon.

 

[stockers]

No. Keith has had these from new - quite a while ago now.

 

[GNB]

Here's some not often seen detail from the cab interior of 2-10-2. Note the metallic reflector that enhances the effect of the illuminated flickering firebox.



The Kiss (http://fgb-berlin.de/Kiss/Kiss-Deutsche-Loks/Kiss-HSB-Dampflokomotive-99-6001--Ballerina-.html) and Trainline (http://fgb-berlin.de/Train-Line/Tra...Dampflok-99-6101--ZIMO-digital-mit-Sound.html) products are very attractive and FGB sells them at a good price. The illustrations are good as well

But I'm more than happy with the LGB 26813.

 

[riderdan]

That's a really neat picture. I wondered how something with that long a wheelbase could negotiate LGB's smaller curves. Really it's a beautiful locomotive--and if my whole line weren't on such a shoestring, I'd definitely be interested in one.

 

[GNB]

Thanks for that Riderdan, I'm glad you found it interesting. The drive-train is one of LGB's design marvels. One of their earlier versions of a suspended and flexible drive-train was the 0-8-0 Rugen with it's four inline driven axles that could cope with the R1 LGB basic curves.

As the early DR 994633 version they weigh in at a hefty 3.85 kg (I've just weighed mine!), which is quite beefy for a single engine loco. The two centre axles of the drive train are suspended in such a way that allow movements in three dimensions. The two outer axles only allow lateral movements and the linkage provides drive to all axles.

LGB were quite proud of the drive-train innovation at the time. It's also a rare LGB loco that has no power pick up in the form of skids, taking all its track power through the wheels.

They are remarkably good pullers and cope well with the curves, dips and bumps of an average garden railway. Here's a shot of one pulling a long goods up a steep gradient with a nasty double curve (since removed).



I'm in the throes of updating this loco to an XLS having discovered an LS is not really up to the job!

With regard to the cost of the DR 99 7238-1, 2-10-2, I was tempted by a bargain offer and when you get to my age you can't take it with you .

Many years ago I well remember buying my, then very young, son his first work train starter set in Hamburg and thinking can we afford the siding set, a level crossing, a manual signal and a set of 3 tipper trucks and still and keep the price below £150 - you could get lots of DMs for your pound in those days! We've had lots of play value from that set and it's still going strong and I still get a kick out of running it.

 

[stockers]

The Rugens is indeed a great puller - it has a bigger motor than the usual LGB one, so an XLS is a good idea.