LGB Otto Mallett Bash

[3Valve]

Well here we go. I've made a start on the latest winter project. Inspiration for this one was an Orenstein & Koppel Mallett as pictured below

The idea was that I could bash this out of a pair of LGB Otto's. But when I finally sourced and stripped down a pair of Otto's I realised that the wheelbase was a bit on the long side to accurately represent the prototype. Oh well, time for an inhection of Rule 8 and the LGB Rubber Ruler

So first job, strip down the Otto's to the chassis. The chassis that was to form the rear end was pretty much left as is. The front chassis however needed some pretty malicious treatment with Mr Razor Saw.

 

[3Valve]

A few other bits n bobs from the Otto's were kept for the bash. (Lamps, Funnel, Domes, Cab roof etc), and the firebox from one Otto was cust away for use in the new cab.

I made up a new boiler from 40mm waste pipe and mocked up the boiler/firebox/chassis assembly to see how it would gel together.

I threw one of the Otto cabs loosely on the back just a get a feel for how the loco may look.

 

[stockers]

Great prototype Garath. Do you have any history of it?

 

[jameshilton]

This does look a cool little bash - and although it's a long way from the prototype it's still going to look great

If you need help with transfers afterwards, give me a shout - I'll help you out with the artwork

 

[stockers]

Thats a lot of boiler. Is it practicle to move the firebox and cab forwards?

 

[whatlep]

Great concept Gareth. One suggestion if I may. How about guttering downpipe rather than sink waste as a boiler? Just that bit more bulky to justify a chunky Mallet.

 

[3Valve]

Next job, mock up the cab and side tanks out of card and try em out for size.

When I was happy out came the 80 thou plasticard and the two side tank/cab assemblies were cut out.

It was then I realised I made a pretty avoidable "rookie" mistake. I popped a figure in the cab area and realised that I'd made it way too high.

So out came Mr Stanley Knife. the cab sides were separted from the tank side and 20mm was trimmed from each cab side. Cab front and rear panels were then made up as was the bunker and the whoe thing re-assembled. The cab front and back panels helping to hold together the now separated cab and tank sides.

Here is the result so far. Having corrected the cab height error I'm pretty pleased with it. I think even with the extended wheelbase it should capture the essence of the prototype.
(Don't worry about the boiler height in the last few piccies, I've got resting on the chassis but it will be mounted on frames and sit nicely above the top of the side tanks).

 

[mike]

works for me!

 

[whatlep]

Having corrected the cab height error I'm pretty pleased with it. I think even with the extended wheelbase it should capture the essence of the prototype.

Revised cab looks absolutely spot on guv.

 

[stockers]

That cab and tanks give it a much better proportion. Looking great.

 

[Richie]

Great looking project Gareth very well made plastic card body

 

[Tony]

I think it great if you need a better matching prototype (which i dont think you do) then try "Monach" on the W&LLR

Tony

 

[Zerogee]

Excellent job, Gareth, looking forward to seeing it finished!

Just as a thought, if someone wanted to do one closer to the O&K prototype photo, you could probably do so with a pair of LGB Feldbahn steamer chassis - they might be short enough (though admittedly you can't shorten them too much, as they have the motor at the back) and have the very small wheels. The downside, of course, would be that two of them would be a lot more expensive to source than two Ottos!

Jon.

 

[garrymartin]

Thats going to be a handsome locomotive, I would not worry about the prototype at all. It looks a feasable design based on readily available components

 

[3Valve]

Excellent job, Gareth, looking forward to seeing it finished!

Just as a thought, if someone wanted to do one closer to the O&K prototype photo, you could probably do so with a pair of LGB Feldbahn steamer chassis - they might be short enough (though admittedly you can't shorten them too much, as they have the motor at the back) and have the very small wheels. The downside, of course, would be that two of them would be a lot more expensive to source than two Ottos!

Jon.

I think it would be diffcult to articulate the Feldbahn loc's Jon, because as you say the motor is at the back so I wouldn't be able to hack much away from the leading chassis. Plus the Felbahn steamer is such a lovely loco that I really wouldn't want to chop it about.

 

[shropshire lad]

Looking great Gareth
Should pull well up Pootank Pass too!

 

[stevedenver]

veddy interesting
im on tenterhooks to see the finished loco
i too really like your superstructure-it adds a more appropriate proportion to my eye -it actually reminds me a bit of the LGB saxon K3, but i prefer your cab and the overall 'storybook' look of the high round roof and 'almost' spectacles

i really like that prototype at post 1
really dinky drivers-what 12"???
- i think theres something akin in Cripple Creek

your Otto porter bash should be unique-
and far more robust and serviceable than had you opted for the closer coupled and now prohibtively pricey FRR chassis

what color shall it be pray tell -the kelly green?

 

[whatlep]

Looking great Gareth
Should pull well up Pootank Pass too!

Well, we wouldn't say anything if it didn't, would we?

 

[Madman]

That's one of the best bashes I've seen in a long time.

 

[mbiff]

Ding dang do me old mucker - me likes a lot