ge_rik
British narrow gauge (esp. Southwold and W&LLR)
I`ve replaced the original mechanism for my IP Engineering Jessie twice previously (most recently with a bespoke mechanism from fellow GSCer - Whizzo). Unfortunately these have all succumbed to the loads which I place on locos on my railway - 1:40 gradients and ten-wagon trains. As all my other locos (bar one) are powered by motor-blocks I decided to see if this option would work on Jessie (or Wynford as she is known on my railway).
After a few helpful suggestions from forum members and some email correspondence with Jonathan at g-bits, I opted for a medium-sized USAt block (their small block is no longer available) - although the wheelbase was longer than Jessie`s (84mm v 60mm), the block has extended axles which were ideal for fly-cranks.
Jessie as was .........
The USAt motor block .....
The motor block in place (a brass U-bracket used to fix her in place - the ends of the bracket slotted into the guides for the skates and bent over - not elegant but simple)
Wynford just emerged from the workshops on proving trials .....
She still needs some titivating - the redundant holes need filling in the sides of the chassis and the coupling-rods need to be painted but she runs very smoothly and happily pulls full loads up the 1:40 gradients without hesitation. Mind you, she takes the R1 curves which still exist in places on my railway, very cautiously - I`m not sure she quite knows what to make of them!
Rik
After a few helpful suggestions from forum members and some email correspondence with Jonathan at g-bits, I opted for a medium-sized USAt block (their small block is no longer available) - although the wheelbase was longer than Jessie`s (84mm v 60mm), the block has extended axles which were ideal for fly-cranks.
Jessie as was .........
The USAt motor block .....
The motor block in place (a brass U-bracket used to fix her in place - the ends of the bracket slotted into the guides for the skates and bent over - not elegant but simple)
Wynford just emerged from the workshops on proving trials .....
She still needs some titivating - the redundant holes need filling in the sides of the chassis and the coupling-rods need to be painted but she runs very smoothly and happily pulls full loads up the 1:40 gradients without hesitation. Mind you, she takes the R1 curves which still exist in places on my railway, very cautiously - I`m not sure she quite knows what to make of them!
Rik
