Making a “tram”.
A few years ago after buying and making up a little IP diesel loco, I wondered if it was possible to fit it with radio controls. So, I bought a little kids radio controlled car, for £7-00 from Argos. After a chat with Ivan at IP, it was not possible. The loco motor was 3 volts, and the car was 4-5 volts.
So I thought I would try to make a tram. I dismantled the car, and opened the gear box. The car wheels sizes couldn`t be adapted to 45mm which meant that I would have to remove the car wheels, and fit some spare IP wheels and axles. I had to open out the main spur wheel from 3mm to 1/8th in. also the “bearings”, this I did with my hand drill, no pillar drill then. After re-assembling the gearbox, with the axle, I fitted the driving flange wheels to the axle. I then had to make the wooden frame and chassis and fit the rear wheels to the chassis. Axle boxes were then glued on to the frame. Put 3 batteries in, and moment of truth. Pressed the switch on the transmitter, and it worked. Took it outside on to my track and it ran round ok, I did find that the 3 AAA batteries did not last very long on my track, as there are several inclines, my track is at different levels so it climbs from the bottom to the top track. I added 3 AA batteries to give it more power and to last a lot longer. All that remained to do was the “dressing up”. I know it`s not a TRAM, for the purists, but it goes round, and I fun to watch. And that’s what its all about for me.
Hope springs eternal.
Clarry Chapman (nimbus)