Li'l Bash

[playmofire]

Looks very smart, Mick.

 

[garrymartin]

I agree, she looks much better for her roof trimming, M Rails Porters also look much better for having a buffer beam as opposed to the lump of wood across the front. I will pinch that idea!

 

[Madman]

Mick, It looks great. Just what I envision a tank loco to be.

 

[trammayo]

Thanks for your comments everybody - and for your pointer Dan!

 

[MRail]

...she looks much better for her roof trimming

Definitely!

 

[trammayo]

...she looks much better for her roof trimming

Definitely!

Thanks, I think it does too.

 

[vsmith]

I just started converting my Lil Big Hauler, replacing the pistons entirely, have to use Big Hauler pistons as thats what I have on hand but so far its coming along nicely. The only problem is finding screws washers and bits for the connections. Will post a new thread about it shortly.

 

[lownote]

That is really marvelous and delightful. I liked it better with the longer cab roof, because it looked a little more US-ish. But it's a wonderful bash. I'd maybe detail that backhead a little

 

[trammayo]

That is really marvelous and delightful. I liked it better with the longer cab roof, because it looked a little more US-ish. But it's a wonderful bash. I'd maybe detail that backhead a little

Thanks. I was oblivious to the roof until Dan pointed it out. Yes I did wonder about adding a little bit of definition to the backhead (like painting the detail moulded in or adding a gauge etc). Its a Roundtuit I think

Need to get on with the side tippers but I might have to wait a couple of weeks. Would like to "signwrite" the tanks with a road name or contractor. Still trying to work out the most economical way.

I'm following Vic's bash of the tender version as well. I think that loco as real potential too.

 

[vsmith]

Mick, I added a (more or less) full backhead detail, had to scratch some of it from styrene bits (water feed controls, brake stand, throttle) but I had a brass steam gauge and a metal reversing lever from Trackside Details, i will be posting pics hopefully this weekend after I paint the cab interior. It makes a big difference having detailed backhead.

One trick I use is for valve control handles I use small Phillips head screws for the those control handles, when painted red they are very convincing.

 

[trammayo]

I'll copy that Vic - my knowledge of arrangements on the backhead are a little lacking.

I had thought of using press studs (if the wife has any in her sewing kits). They also look like control valve wheels.

 

[vsmith]

Press studs look best, but you need some very small brads to fit them.

 

[trammayo]

Well, took me an hour not to find them (her giving directions as I ransacked her wardrobe), and her two minutes after I had put everything back!:wits::wits:

I have (courtesy of herself) a container of pins from a Sequin Art jobby (styrene shape and you cover it with pinned on sequins).

I'll just [strike]copy[/strike] follow your lead

 

[steven large]

I went down that road with a couple of Porters...

it tht stainz??

 

[trammayo]

Steven - Robs locos (as pictured) are LGB Porters. They often come up on ebay - usually Lake George & Boulder I think.

I read elsewhere that you might be after a Davenport. There is one on ebay at the moment - BIN at £85.

 

[MRail]

For Steven Large, here's a comparison of Porter vs Stainz.
Both locos have scratch-built battery R/C tenders and are on 32mm gauge.

 

[jgallaway81]

Please ellaborate, how do and LGB Stainz and Porter end up on 32mm gauge rails?

 

[MRail]

Short answer:- a good deal of bashing!

My first Porter was a conversion sold by GRS around 1999.
It has a brass framed chassis with the original motor and gears driving shortened axles.
The Stainz is a No 3 from 30th Anniv set with a scratch built chassis similar to above, but in plastic/perspex.
It also uses a Porter motor, since the Buhler was too wide for 32mm.

In both cases the wheel flanges are reduced to 2mm depth for Peco track.

 

[jgallaway81]

Superb engineering, but I now have an even more pressing question.... why?

 

[MRail]

I have to admit to being a 16miller.
In my early days, on a restricted budget, I was finding my Mamod locos difficult to control (as usual) on my tightly curved line.
To keep me going, I needed battery power. At the time, most available locos were of the small quarry type.
Seeing GRS advertise the converted Porter seemed to be a solution to "main line" power - we're talking 2ft gauge mainline.
The guy said they were considering converting the Stainz - it never appeared, but the idea stayed.
Over the next few years the fleet grew, with Otto and more Porters.
Eventually reliable steam locos were acquired (second-hand) and battery locos have taken on a supporting role.

I'm told that the Stainz is actually scaled for 32mm but LGB widened it for 45mm.