COUPLINGS
I have always intended to copy the Coupling System that James used. However as the Couplings between Wagons are effectively a Link and Pin, I needed to do something different with my Train Load. I have in the past used Link and Pin Couplings, in fact they were at the time the only way that I could afford to couple all my stock together. This was before I got into LGB again, I even converted LGB Locomotives and Rolling Stock to Link and Pin. There will be Stock bought out there second hand with strange holes in the Buffers, remnants of my Link and Pin experiments. However I was less pleased with them when I discovered that a derailment pulls the complete Train off the Track. So I needed to do a modification for my Rolwagen Project. That Mod is to allow the Coupling Bar to revolve. This has been achieved by having a Joint in The Bar and fitting a Rotating Mechanism within. Simply put I have used 5.5 mm Tube with ends Soldered onto where they will join. Drilled and Tapped to accept 8ba Skrew and that is is. The first picture shows the components. The next screwed together with the Coupling Wire.
The third Picture shows the Completed Assembly. It is possible to unscrew the short end from the long one and this is indeed how they are put together. I should have used smaller gauge wire for the Handles, but as I need to build one more Loco Bar and two intermediate ones, this will be attended to on them. It is I feel only necessary to have one end with the Revolving Assembly.
The next Pic shows all the components laid out to complete the 5 bars that I have needed, 3 Loco-Wagon (1 of theses is a spare) and 2 Wagon Wagon. As you can see, I got into Mass Production Mode again.
The biggest pain in all the Construction was the fitting if the Handholds. These when soldered needed Heat Shrinks and Spacers. I did say the odd sweary, specially on the last one when I realised that it would have been easier to Super Glue them in place!
The Fifth Pic shows the Bar on a Test Fit using a Wagon. I have also tried it on the Baby Kamel and it works just fine. I used a bent piece of Wire for this Test, however thoughts are in process for a proper Pin that cannot be lost.
Then the next Pic is to show the completed 5 bars.
Finally a Test run of 1 Wagon taken using the first bar to be constructed. Running was perfect except on Propelling over the Curve of a Peco Point. I think that is due the forces of Bar and Wheels being in Oposition to each other. Propelling on the Straight over the Point was perfect. It is now likely that when Carolstadt is retracked, there will be a Goods Loop which is where these will be Emptied in the Timetable.
Next will be some kind of a Pin to hold the Bards in the Couplings which have by the Way had some Oblong Bar soldered to the Strengthening Bar to give somewhere for the Bards to go. Will have to cogitate a bit re the pins.
JonD
I have always intended to copy the Coupling System that James used. However as the Couplings between Wagons are effectively a Link and Pin, I needed to do something different with my Train Load. I have in the past used Link and Pin Couplings, in fact they were at the time the only way that I could afford to couple all my stock together. This was before I got into LGB again, I even converted LGB Locomotives and Rolling Stock to Link and Pin. There will be Stock bought out there second hand with strange holes in the Buffers, remnants of my Link and Pin experiments. However I was less pleased with them when I discovered that a derailment pulls the complete Train off the Track. So I needed to do a modification for my Rolwagen Project. That Mod is to allow the Coupling Bar to revolve. This has been achieved by having a Joint in The Bar and fitting a Rotating Mechanism within. Simply put I have used 5.5 mm Tube with ends Soldered onto where they will join. Drilled and Tapped to accept 8ba Skrew and that is is. The first picture shows the components. The next screwed together with the Coupling Wire.
The third Picture shows the Completed Assembly. It is possible to unscrew the short end from the long one and this is indeed how they are put together. I should have used smaller gauge wire for the Handles, but as I need to build one more Loco Bar and two intermediate ones, this will be attended to on them. It is I feel only necessary to have one end with the Revolving Assembly.
The next Pic shows all the components laid out to complete the 5 bars that I have needed, 3 Loco-Wagon (1 of theses is a spare) and 2 Wagon Wagon. As you can see, I got into Mass Production Mode again.
The biggest pain in all the Construction was the fitting if the Handholds. These when soldered needed Heat Shrinks and Spacers. I did say the odd sweary, specially on the last one when I realised that it would have been easier to Super Glue them in place!
The Fifth Pic shows the Bar on a Test Fit using a Wagon. I have also tried it on the Baby Kamel and it works just fine. I used a bent piece of Wire for this Test, however thoughts are in process for a proper Pin that cannot be lost.
Then the next Pic is to show the completed 5 bars.
Finally a Test run of 1 Wagon taken using the first bar to be constructed. Running was perfect except on Propelling over the Curve of a Peco Point. I think that is due the forces of Bar and Wheels being in Oposition to each other. Propelling on the Straight over the Point was perfect. It is now likely that when Carolstadt is retracked, there will be a Goods Loop which is where these will be Emptied in the Timetable.
Next will be some kind of a Pin to hold the Bards in the Couplings which have by the Way had some Oblong Bar soldered to the Strengthening Bar to give somewhere for the Bards to go. Will have to cogitate a bit re the pins.
JonD
