Roundhouse Engineering “Merseysider”.

[casey jones snr]

The CFR has taken delivery of two new locomotives.
They are both “Merseysider” class locomotives named Queen of the Hills and Mountaineer.

 

[PaulRhB]

Is it just me or do they look to have a ‘robot’ face?
Nice choice of livery and names Casey.

 

[Rhinochugger]

They look good, and the twin buffers suit them.

One thing I found slightly strange when I was doing some research for parts following my blue and yellow dismal's latest failure, and that is that on some of these models, Roundhouse use a 3-pole motor. Now there may be good technical reasons, but I had always assumed that 5- or 7-pole motors would have more, smoother power

Sure, we don't all do a lot of shunting and maneuvering but I thought the benefits were more than just a smooth take-off.

 

[stockers]

The biggest single difference between different electric motors is how well they are made.
Once you get to a quality motor with good bearings, lots of wire in the windings, balance, magnets etc. a three pole motor will usually run faster than a multi pole motor - because there are less electrical changes in the armature. It may however start and run less smoothly.
A multi pole motor has to have smaller windings on each pole - otherwise the motor would need to grow in size considerably - this tends to limit the torque to about the same whatever the number of poles.
Power is torque x speed. Torque remains fairly consistant and a three pole motor can run faster - more power.
On to all this you add gears and drive wheels - all of which can make a huge difference to the overall performance. As a three pole motor may be running faster, it needs lower gearing for our use - which increases power - again.
But, at the end of the day, quality will out perform poles.

 

[Rhinochugger]

The biggest single difference between different electric motors is how well they are made.
Once you get to a quality motor with good bearings, lots of wire in the windings, balance, magnets etc. a three pole motor will usually run faster than a multi pole motor - because there are less electrical changes in the armature. It may however start and run less smoothly.
A multi pole motor has to have smaller windings on each pole - otherwise the motor would need to grow in size considerably - this tends to limit the torque to about the same whatever the number of poles.
Power is torque x speed. Torque remains fairly consistant and a three pole motor can run faster - more power.
On to all this you add gears and drive wheels - all of which can make a huge difference to the overall performance. As a three pole motor may be running faster, it needs lower gearing for our use - which increases power - again.
But, at the end of the day, quality will out perform poles.

Oooh - poles apart

and yet some of their chassis use Buhler 5-pole motors

 

[3Valve]

Oh yes. Loving that green one.

 

[casey jones snr]

Oh yes. Loving that green one.

Roundhouse "Deep Brunswick Green".

 

[JeffofSpace]

Yep, the green looks classic.

 

[stockers]

.............and yet some of their chassis use Buhler 5-pole motors

Multi pole motors tend to start and run better. We often run our motors quite slowly - a multi pole motor is probably smoother.

 

[Rhinochugger]

Multi pole motors tend to start and run better. We often run our motors quite slowly - a multi pole motor is probably smoother.

Yeah, well, that's what started me off - I usually go for a 5-pole motor - although I do have one loco with a Buhler 7-pole motor, but with its 50:1 gearing, it's difficult to really pick up how smooth it is

 

[casey jones snr]

Due to operational difficulties (buffer lock when shunting) I decided to change the outside buffers and coupling hooks. I wasn’t overly keen on the single combined coupler and hook. I opted for the multiple height coupler which I think suits the locomotives rather well. The side safety chins also serve to disguise the original side buffer holes.

 

[PhilP]

I like the look, but those chains look remarkably close to the railhead?

I hope they don't catch on anything..

 

[Sean.]

I like the look, but those chains look remarkably close to the railhead?

I hope they don't catch on anything..

This is in the battery powered section..

 

[PhilP]

This is in the battery powered section..

Was thinking more physical damage, rather than electrical..

 

[dunnyrail]

Due to operational difficulties (buffer lock when shunting) I decided to change the outside buffers and coupling hooks. I wasn’t overly keen on the single combined coupler and hook. I opted for the multiple height coupler which I think suits the locomotives rather well. The side safety chins also serve to disguise the original side buffer holes.
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Sensible conversion Paul, double buffers unless they are oversize will not work that well through many of your points as you have found out. I would think R3 minimum and then not on a crossover but to a Siding that has a good straight length before any curve. On my 0 Gauge Standard Gauge Light Railway I had to incorporate a bit of straight on the 2’6” Crossovers and with the Bogie Coach have Elongated oblong buffers to stop locking.

 

[casey jones snr]

I like the look, but those chains look remarkably close to the railhead?

I hope they don't catch on anything..

Optical illusion Phil, they don’t extend below the buffer beam.

 

[casey jones snr]

I note that the good people of Roundhouse have published on their Facebook page a picture of my new all yellow Merseysider. I will be picking it up when my Hercules is completed and ready for collection.

 

[Gizzy]

As they are Merseysider locos, I reckon the red engine is fine, but the green one should be an Evertonian shade of blue....

 

[casey jones snr]

The latest Merseysider “Evie” was collected from Roundhouse Engineering today.

Evie running light engine on acceptance trials.

Evie with a few side dump hoppers on acceptance trials. Ivor looks on.

 

[Rhinochugger]

It all seems to be a very clean industry