RTM M65 and ABP422 tram

[Henri]

An upcoming project this winter is the combination of the M65 with an ABP422 coach. The M65 looks a lot like the famous M67 still in existence in the RTM museum collection, but differs on details, of which the only one sided cabin is the most obvious.
To have proper use for this locomotive, they mated the M65 to a coach in which also controls were added. Now this combination could be driven in both directions.

As the M67 is very famous and every modeller wants to have it, I want to build the M65 instead with accompanying ABP422.






Motorization by an Otto which has almost correct wheelbase but exact wheel diameter.

My dad, a very experienced H0 modeller, insisted on making the correct boogie sidings. He has already finished one prototype which he will use to make a form to make duplicates.
Here he visited an uncle (one of his brothers) and you can tell by the tools around there is over 120 years of experience in this picture.

 

[Paul M]

Looking forward to reading about this Henri

 

[dunnyrail]

Nice to have experienced help.

 

[idlemarvel]

That's one great workshop! You are lucky to be able to share a hobby with your dad (and uncle presumably). My dad was into vintage (veteran?) cars, I wish I could have spent some time working with him on those but I lived 200 miles away and I had a family of 3 to bring up at the time. Now I have the time he's passed away, so I would say make the most of the time you have together.

 

[Henri]

Some drawings in scale 1/22,5. The production of the boogies is in full swing. My dad is ahead of me!

 

[Henri]

The project got expanded. The coach is similar, almost 100% similar, to other coaches used by the RTM. I want to build two of them to go with the steam tram locomotive. A third one will be used in combination with the M65 engine. I want to start with the two coaches first and will open another thread for that.

 

[Henri]

Ok, as I’m awaiting delivery of materials for the RTM coaches, I figured why not start with the M65? So this weekend I made a chassis mock up to check R1 handling. Glad I made this test rig as the initial version didn’t clear the R1 curves.



I am going to use plexiglass again for the walls and 0,5mm thick wood for ‘real planks’. The contours are already visible.

 

[Paul M]

You're clearly making a great job of this Henri

 

[dunnyrail]

Have always admired that Tram Car it will make an interesting item of motive power, oh but the shape. Still I you have been thinking long and hard about it and from the early cuts one can see another success.

 

[Henri]

Thanks!

The shape of the nose, although it looks soo straight forward, is actually quite complex as from the drawings I have it is not exactly clear where the folds should be. With exactly clear I mean on the tenth of a millimeter. So it is now a bit of guess & go and trying to get the shapes perfect before any glueing and laminating.

Again it's a wonderful job to do!

 

[Henri]

Another superb photograph of the M65. See the complexity of the nose.

 

[Northsider]

Those sloping corners will require a bit of geometry to get right, but should be possible. The 120 years of experience may know what to do: I find time-served engineers usually have a solid grounding in things we barely came across at school!

 

[dunnyrail]

Another superb photograph of the M65. See the complexity of the nose.

View attachment 268877

Have you though about what to leave out to compensate for the shortening? I would have thought the 2nd panel from the front and equivalent at the other end should work nicely.

 

[Henri]

This one will not be shortened. In 'actual' 1/22,5 scale, it is 44,5 cm long. Does look OK on my R1 curves.

 

[Henri]

Those sloping corners will require a bit of geometry to get right, but should be possible. The 120 years of experience may know what to do: I find time-served engineers usually have a solid grounding in things we barely came across at school!

Yes, I really admire their skills & craftmenship. Replicating these old machines in scale is a journey into their ingenuity and it s a feast to discover 'how it's made'. This is a very important part for me in this hobby.

 

[Henri]

Tonights update. Nose is done.

 

[Henri]

The better part of this week was used to track test the M66. A lot of modifications were needed. Clearance was a huge issue on the tight R1’s. And I had to adjust the boogie my dad made for me, which ended up in making a new one myself. The geometry was just a tad off...
So when I was on the subject I installed power pickups.
It runs beautiful now.

 

[tramwayknowledge]

It's looking really good Henri. I have always loved these two motor cars since I first saw them in the 1960s. They have a wonderful look, something that our French friends call "jolie laide"

One day, when the electrification work on my tramway is completed and I have completed the 101 projects on mt 'To Do' list I may attempt an 'inspired by' version...should I call it M666?

 

[Henri]

I’m collecting information about the engine/generator in this tram. I haven’t got any visual information about the engine, which should be a GMC straight six diesel engine from about the 1940’s.
The initial engine was a Peugeot 2 PJ85. I did find a picture of this engine online, but not from the GMC.

Here is a beautiful advet from the manufacturer of the generator, featuring the tram I’m building.