Live Diesel 0-4-0DM G Gauge

[dewintondave]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpjnjBdAbJ4

On my third year of build, the loco can now run on its own. This is a 1/12th scale model, based on Dave Watkins' "Detritus". It's got a 3-speed gear box for 5, 10, and 15 mph scale speeds. The OS FS-26 four stroke car motor runs at idle. I'm using castor oil for high temperature safety.

I've spent so much time away from my line that is in need of repair, and is not runnable except for the shown short section.

Best wishes,
Dave.

 

[Tony Walsham]

Congratulations.
Gotta love the smoke plume.

 

[garrymartin]

That's marvellous , it's also the first Live diesel I've seen where the noise produced is reasonable If a live diesel were ever commercially available I would certainly be interested

 

[beavercreek]

Way hey! Now that is fun...and a great build too!


I can remember building a propeller powered aero sled using a diesel engine when I was a strapling. Jees it was fast...and uncontrollable

 

[Zerogee]

Yep, that's impressive! Like Garry said above, it's the first one I've seen and heard where the noise is approaching levels of acceptability. Is most of the sound still from the exhaust, or is some of it mechanical noise from the motor itself which will be muffled a bit once a body is in place?

Great progress, Dave...

Jon.

 

[ge_rik]

Love it - it produces more smoke than most live steamers ......... I wonder if adding the body will act as a resonating chamber and increase the sound??

Rik

 

[trammayo]

That looks a superb piece of modelling! It would be lovely if you had the time to post more details about it. I am well impressed.

 

[dewintondave]

Thanks chaps. The exhaust is very quiet. There's a lot of mechanical noise from the engine itself. The loco overall is pretty quiet. The exhaust comes out of the stack cold just about, it's quite strange. The muffler is massive (about 200 mL) and must expand the gasses fully.

I am writing up the build on the two forums below. These forums have sections for live diesel.

Continental Garden Trains
http://www.cgtrains.com/t1186-live-diesel-mechanical-1-12th-scale

Garden Railway Forum
http://gardenrails.myfreeforum.org/ftopic6797-0-0-asc-.php

Best wishes,
Dave.

 

[trammayo]

Thank you for the links - very, very interesting work.

 

[dewintondave]

Here's the first video of the loco running on the track (1:23 in from start) in its initial worm geared form. No clutch, forward only. Straight through exhaust pipe, the exhaust sound used to echo off the house. Filmed with a keyfob camera.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAau9DXbA4A

Best wishes,
Dave.