« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: How to build an N scale steamer  (Read 4380 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

3rdrail

  • Guest
How to build an N scale steamer
« on: March 24, 2009, 05:54:37 PM »
0
Dapol will introduce these dimunitive steamer locomotives this weekend in London. Knuckle couplers will be included.






They have a tungsten underframe and a 40:1 gear ratio so despite their tiny size can creep and pull four coaches. Now, that's the way to build things, IMHO!  8) 8)
Logged

Iain

  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 4879
  • Gender: Female
  • Na sgrìobhaidh a Iain
  • Respect: +831
    • The Best Puppers
Re: How to build an N scale steamer
« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2009, 06:12:15 PM »
0
Can you say ten-wheeler fodder?
Logged
I like ducks


wes_sutton

  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 619
  • Gender: Male
  • Respect: +474
    • http://www.users.bigpond.com/grms
Re: How to build an N scale steamer
« Reply #2 on: March 29, 2009, 06:42:49 AM »
0
Video here - looks like they run smoothly

http://www.ness-st.co.uk/Dapol-Terriers.html

Retail for around 57 UK Pounds - not sure what that equates to in USD?

Wes
Logged

3rdrail

  • Guest
Re: How to build an N scale steamer
« Reply #3 on: March 29, 2009, 09:55:33 AM »
0
Quote from: wes_sutton on March 29, 2009, 06:42:49 AM
Video here - looks like they run smoothly

http://www.ness-st.co.uk/Dapol-Terriers.html

Retail for around 57 UK Pounds - not sure what that equates to in USD?

Wes
  $80-85 in USD. Not bad for something this well made.
Logged

Mark5

  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 11831
  • Always with the negative waves Moriarty ...
  • Respect: +927
Re: How to build an N scale steamer
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2009, 10:18:53 AM »
0
Interesting siderod detail - how does power transfer to the siderods on the proto?

This apparently is the proto:

http://www.friendsofhoneywood.co.uk/images_transport/Loco_Wandle.jpg

I'm still not getting it though ...
« Last Edit: March 30, 2009, 10:21:15 AM by NandW »
Logged

3rdrail

  • Guest
Re: How to build an N scale steamer
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2009, 10:23:30 AM »
0
Quote from: NandW on March 30, 2009, 10:18:53 AM
Interesting siderod detail - how does power transfer to the siderods on the proto?
Quite a few British and European steam locomotives had inside connected cylinders, connected to a crankshaft main axle. Maintenance was horrendous, but the stress on the track structure was less. Different priorities.
Logged

Ed Kapuscinski

  • Global Moderator
  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 26030
  • Head Kino
  • Respect: +11454
    • Conrail 1285
Re: How to build an N scale steamer
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2009, 10:48:38 AM »
0
It also kept the cylinders out of the way of things like station platforms. Remember, the UK (and Euro) clearances were often much tighter than here.
Logged

Mark5

  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 11831
  • Always with the negative waves Moriarty ...
  • Respect: +927
Re: How to build an N scale steamer
« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2009, 10:58:20 AM »
0
Quote from: Ed Kapuscinski on March 30, 2009, 10:48:38 AM
It also kept the cylinders out of the way of things like station platforms. Remember, the UK (and Euro) clearances were often much tighter than here.

Especially when you are using overly wide track with 1:148 models ;)
Logged

3rdrail

  • Guest
Re: How to build an N scale steamer
« Reply #8 on: March 30, 2009, 02:47:42 PM »
0
Quote from: NandW on March 30, 2009, 10:58:20 AM
Quote from: Ed Kapuscinski on March 30, 2009, 10:48:38 AM
It also kept the cylinders out of the way of things like station platforms. Remember, the UK (and Euro) clearances were often much tighter than here.

Especially when you are using overly wide track with 1:148 models ;)

Track ain't overly wide, scales out to 52 and 1/4 inches in 1:148 vs 56 and 1/2 inches in 1:160.  :-\
Logged

Mark5

  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 11831
  • Always with the negative waves Moriarty ...
  • Respect: +927
Re: How to build an N scale steamer
« Reply #9 on: March 30, 2009, 03:19:39 PM »
0
Oops, looks my dyslexia* kicked in.  :)
(it really is a shame the UK decided to go with 1:148)

Thanks for the useful info on the inside connected cylinders.

Mark

* actually this is more a case of inverse cognition, or something like that ...
Logged

3rdrail

  • Guest
Re: How to build an N scale steamer
« Reply #10 on: March 30, 2009, 03:32:39 PM »
0
My point on these is the tungsten underframe and the 40:1 gear ratio.
Logged

Mark5

  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 11831
  • Always with the negative waves Moriarty ...
  • Respect: +927
Re: How to build an N scale steamer
« Reply #11 on: March 30, 2009, 03:52:37 PM »
0
Quote from: 3rdrail on March 30, 2009, 03:32:39 PM
40:1 gear ratio.

40:1 is good -  I think the MP 4-4-0 has a 45:1 (quoting Chris333). Tremendous way to offset a crappy motor (in MP's case I guess).

My MP 4-6-2 runs pretty nice, so I guess the gearing is in this neighborhood as well.

Would love to see some of these run firsthand.
Logged

3rdrail

  • Guest
Re: How to build an N scale steamer
« Reply #12 on: April 01, 2009, 09:38:20 PM »
0
Well, Hatton's Model Railways in Liverpool has these in at around 50 pounds (70 bucks) so I ordered one tonight, the "Boxhill" of the London & South Western Rwy.

I'll be curious to see how it runs, I've got a five car "goods train" of UK rolling stock. I'll let y'all know how it performs.
Logged

tokenbrit

  • Guest
Re: How to build an N scale steamer
« Reply #13 on: April 04, 2009, 12:19:00 PM »
0
Quote from: 3rdrail on April 01, 2009, 09:38:20 PM
Well, Hatton's Model Railways in Liverpool has these in at around 50 pounds (70 bucks) so I ordered one tonight, the "Boxhill" of the London & South Western Rwy.

I'll be curious to see how it runs, I've got a five car "goods train" of UK rolling stock. I'll let y'all know how it performs.

I've been thinking about getting one myself, so I'll be very interested to hear what you think - looks, build, & performance.

Btw, the A1 Class was a London, Brighton & South Coast design. Not sure if 'Boxhill' was one of 2 Terriers sold to the L&SWR, but the livery above is LB&SCR burnt umber, I believe
Logged

randgust

  • Guest
Re: How to build an N scale steamer
« Reply #14 on: April 05, 2009, 09:21:10 AM »
0
Quote from: 3rdrail on April 01, 2009, 09:38:20 PM
Well, Hatton's Model Railways in Liverpool has these in at around 50 pounds (70 bucks) so I ordered one tonight, the "Boxhill" of the London & South Western Rwy.

I'll be curious to see how it runs, I've got a five car "goods train" of UK rolling stock. I'll let y'all know how it performs.

Yeah, and Greg, post the basic dimensions of the mechanism; driver diameter, axle spacing, frame length, etc.  It's hard to get a proportion, but man, what you could do in N with about a 50-60" driver X-6-0 with a really, really, good mech.  You know I'm always on the lookout for stuff to tear apart!

Logged
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
« previous next »