LGB Otto Mallett Bash

Zerogee said:
PaulRhB said:
Don't worry I wasn't suggesting changing this one I just couldn't remember how big the mech was, I agree the Otto chassis make sense haulage and price wise. I've never seen a feldbahn one stripped down and wondered if the motor and belt arrangement made them a bit too tall.
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In terms of height, the Feldbahn mechanism is perfect - because EVERYTHING sits below footplate level; the problem is that to do that, they've hung the motor on the back of the drivetrain, so it drives the rear axle directly with a worm gear, but then the front axle is driven from the rear one via the infamous toothed rubber belt (which is great while it works, but now impossible to replace!). This keeps the unit amazingly low profile, but it means that you can't lop anything off the back because the motor is in the way; this long rear overhang makes using one of these mechanisms as the front unit of a Mallet layout a bit tricky geometry-wise.
Actually, I've often wondered whether it is possible to run an LGB Feldbahn mechanism WITHOUT the drive belt, just letting the coupling rods drive the front wheels? Anyone ever tried that?

Jon.
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I suppose you could have the rear mechanism only powered. Then you that you hack the front one.

Problem is then I think you'd end up with a Mallet that couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding. Be a bit embarrasing at Ruritanian open days, and I've suffered enough embarrassment there :rolf::rolf:
 
Is that the Cripple Creek one behind No. 3? Sorry, didn't do a better picture last time I was there

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3Valve said:
Problem is then I think you'd end up with a Mallet that couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding. Be a bit embarrasing at Ruritanian open days, and I've suffered enough embarrassment there :rolf::rolf:
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You can't have too much of a good thing Gareth. :bigsmile:
 
3Valve said:
Problem is then I think you'd end up with a Mallet that couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding.
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I have two mallets like those...
the LGB Uintah and the LGB Sumpter mallets...they really can't pull their own shadow up heavy inclines.... even extra traction tyres!
Also the ones I have, are analogue and travel at different speeds so they can't be double heeaded :wits: I think that they will be soon for the chop from the roster.............
 
beavercreek said:
3Valve said:
Problem is then I think you'd end up with a Mallet that couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding.
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I have two mallets like those...
the LGB Uintah and the LGB Sumpter mallets...they really can't pull their own shadow up heavy inclines.... even extra traction tyres!
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That surprises me Mike. The various German outline Mallets I have are excellent haulers. The Sumpter I know has to drag a tender around, but the Uintah is presumably the same mechanism as mine and (I guess) no lighter. Have you tried adding some lead weight.

Which reminds me. Gareth - will you be packing the boiler with lead on yours? Need any? :bigsmile:
 
whatlep said:
I have two mallets like those...
the LGB Uintah and the LGB Sumpter mallets...they really can't pull their own shadow up heavy inclines.... even extra traction tyres!
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That surprises me Mike. The various German outline Mallets I have are excellent haulers. The Sumpter I know has to drag a tender around, but the Uintah is presumably the same mechanism as mine and (I guess) no lighter. Have you tried adding some lead weight.


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It surprised me Peter...... after adding the extra traction tyre wheels, I experimented with some weighted bags draped over the two mechanism positions, and although it improved the traction to be able to drag about 5-6 freight cars up the big incline, I was getting a little concerned about the gearing so did not do prolonged testing. Of course both the Mallets are terrific on flat track and 4% inclines but my 10-15% jobbie really gives them troubles.
 
Bit more work done on the Mallet. Had a go at making roscoe style oilers.
First one done, brass tube, press-studs and plasticard.
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Test fit to the boiler wiv blutak. Nuvver one still to do.
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3Valve said:
Bit more work done on the Mallet. Had a go at making roscoe style oilers.
First one done, brass tube, press-studs and plasticard.

Test fit to the boiler wiv blutak. Nuvver one still to do.
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Nice. Starting to look quite the dapper loco Gareth. :thumbup:
 
It's a lovely job mate. Are you going to fatten up the front cylinder, or leave it as a plain articulated ? Might not be worth the effort, it's barely visibly in the prototype anyway.
 
Nice construction on those oilers :thumbup:
 
Nuvver job I did was cut a new boiler. Realised that the old one was too short which meant that I couldn't model the flexible steam pipe to the front cylinders. My idea is that the pipe will be removable so that I can take it off for running on R1 - R2's and leave in place for the larger radius stuff (and posey piccies :bigsmile::bigsmile: )
Also realised that the longer boiler sat too low to facilitate R1 running as it would foul the front oilers on curves, so it's now also mounted higher to sort this little problem.

I'll do some comparison piccies wiv the old and new boilers tomorrow as I've got a day off.
 
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