Tramway Water Car / Rail Scrubber

[themole]

Having sourced some pictures, plus an ex-LGB toytrain tank wagon body; an old Bachmann tram, a Buhler motor, plus a pantograph. This is my next project, starting this weekend. Alyn

 

[mike]

this is going to be great
something to look forward to

 

[CoggesRailway]

what was their pupose?

 

[MRail]

In general terms, to clear horse "droppings" etc from the rail grooves (flangeways).

During the recent Blackpool tramway upgrade, they hired the Cardiff water car from Crich museum to clear the builders' debris.

 

[tramcar trev]

Very interesting, I'll watch progress with much interest....

 

[themole]

First, dismantle the tram, then remove the perspex windows and the doors plus seats and the bulkhead mouldings holding the doors and bulkhead windows. Keep these items. Then using a small hack saw, or Mr. Dremel, cut out the shaded area as in the above picture. Remember measure twice cut once. Then have a brew.

 

[themole]

After having a brew, take the LGB toytrain tank, and sit it in the remains of the tram body. It will be noted that the drain pipe moulding will have to be removed, using Mr. Dremel. The two tank moulded supports will also require slight shaving down to sit flush on the tramcar floor, again Mr. Dremel comes in handy. The tank filler hatch, remove, but LEAVE about 4 mm depth of the hatch down tube attached, all will become clear latter. Have another brew.

 

[mike]

with you on the brews!

 

[themole]

Hi Mike nothing beats a brew!!!!!!!!!!

 

[themole]

In the last picture, tram roof just placed on body, to check height of tank to roof. More to follow on, its persisting here!!! plenty of water in the burrow!!! Alyn

 

[themole]

The tram chassis, remove the wires to lights and interior lights. Keep the diodes safe. Chassis power is a matter of taste, if you have a current Bachmann chassis you should be OK if not remotor and fit new gearing now. ( this is the best time to do so whilst all apart). I fit Buhler motors and brass gears as I bought a job lot a few years back, from Proops.

 

[themole]

The tram sprinklers kept the dust down as often the roads were not often tarred. More full size pictures. Alyn

 

[MRail]

Somehow Rome's modern version doesn't have the same appeal:-

 

[DoctorM]

bet it was great fun filling the tank under the wires, or driving an electric sprinkler system for that matter!

One of the first (of many) things I can remember my Mum warning me about was...
Electricity and water don't mix !

 

[Rhinochugger]

The tram sprinklers kept the dust down as often the roads were not often tarred. More full size pictures. Alyn

How are you gonna pressurise the tank?

 

[mike]

its a tram pudding

 

[themole]

Today filled the tank with lead offcuts, (not off the local church!) this will enable smooth running of the Buhler re-motored chassis. Fitted the filler cap to the roof, and wired the pantograph. Painted a cream undercoat to the tram body, including the now blanked off windows behind the platforms. Fitted thin wooden strip on to the rubbing strip above the rocker panels. These were then painted cream. Side panels above the rocker panels, fabricated out of wood yet to be fitted. Now time for a brew. Pictures will follow.

 

[tramcar trev]

Looking good.....
But please assure us all Mr razor saw is going to be introduced to Mr Bachmanns bumpers...

Yes it was the smooth rails that actually led to the superiority of the tram over the Horse omnibus, the road surfaces were potholed causing passenger discumfort, the rails were smooth but the coming of the sprinkler car to keep the dust down was a bit of a setback in reality as it filled the potholes and turned streets into quagmires, so patronage returned to the Omnibus that would pick you up in relative safety at the kerb.....

 

[themole]

Mr. Dremel was sent to deal with the bumpers......no razor saws were hurt in the making of this conversion. I have posted some more pictures in Tram & tramway matters of other works trams. Alyn

 

[themole]

Been busy, weather permitting have now painted the tram, and first weathering. Also fitted LGB loop couplers each end, to enable the tram to pull the over-head tower wagons. Still plenty to do. Alyn