I was Bored- so I made a FLEA

[peteski]

That thing would make a nifty yard switcher. Well done

I imagine that as a yard switcher, especially with a DCC decoder,  there would be some serious power pickup issues while going over all the yard turnouts. A short wheelbase 4-wheel truck is not the most reliable when it comes to power pickup.

[mmagliaro]

I imagine that as a yard switcher, especially with a DCC decoder,  there would be some serious power pickup issues while going over all the yard turnouts. A short wheelbase 4-wheel truck is not the most reliable when it comes to power pickup.

One of the reasons why an 0-4-0 steam switcher that really runs well at low speed may yet be achieved one day (because of the 8-wheels of tender pickup), but I doubt a 4-wheel diesel switcher in N Scale will ever really do that.   4 wheels is 4 wheels, and no amount of honing and adding weight is going to change that.  Getting it to run at all is a big accomplishment!

[u18b]

BTW- just in case someone was unsure of where I got that motor/chassis.....

It came from here (for reference purposes- buy where you like):

https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Kato-N-Powered-Chassis-Shorty-1-p/kat-11105.htm


I've seen it sold under two different part numbers.   The differences are apparently the truck sideframes.

Kato 11-105 and Kato 11-107

When buying used of an auction site, please not that older versions of this loco had a 3 volt motor.   That is also a huge resistor to drop the voltage down.    The newer ones use a 12 volt motor.   That's the one I used.

The challenge of using that motor is the small worm threads and shaft size.   But there may be other small motor/worm combinations out there.
And as Peteski mentioned, some trucks have the worm already mounted on the truck.

[chessie system fan]

So how do you think you'll paint it?

[u18b]

So how do you think you'll paint it?

I haven't decided.  Will be a couple of weeks before I can get to it.

Since the walkway is pieced together and glued to the shell, that makes it a bit more challenging.

Easiest to paint it black.

But I'll have to think about it.

One way or another, I want to use CSX lightning bolts on it!

[chessie system fan]

FWIW, It may be too much trouble but my first knee-jerk idea is hot rod flames.   





And since these are long decals you'll need some super shorty passenger cars, with the flames covering the length of the train.  I've got a car or two I can donate.

You could have the Plywood Plains Flaming Stripminer!   

[u18b]

Haha.  That's pretty funny Aaron.

Actually, I was thinking of usually/normally running it like this.




Instead of FLEA,..... I might rename it to a TIC.

Track Inspection Combo.

[nkalanaga]

Wonder if it would work for this?



The picture is from the old Atlas Forum, and Google can't find an original source.

[MK]

Haha.  That's pretty funny Aaron.

Actually, I was thinking of usually/normally running it like this.




Instead of FLEA,..... I might rename it to a TIC.

Track Inspection Combo.

How about a NIT?  Neat Inspection Train.

[u18b]

I did a little more checking and a decoder will indeed fit in the cab on top of the weight.

But I decided to leave it analog for now.

But the option is there if I ever want to come back to it.

But I agree with others.

I'd really like to make a TP56 one day.
http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/industrial/Tractive_Power.htm

Now THAT I would place a decoder in.--- with operating ditchlights.

[u18b]

OK.  I decided on the final name:

FLEA

Fast Little Eccentric Alco.


Scale MPH

[nscaler711]

@u18b if you ever make a TP56, make two. I would love one.... I am already searching for a Kato SD40-2 MP truck...

[jmlaboda - RIP]

Wonder if it would work for this?

This would be my submission...

NP Shop Switcher No. 6

Cut down from motor car B-3 it was used as a shop switcher for quite some time... if we can figure out how to adapt the "FLEA" drive to something like this I think it would be a great project... (not like I have too much on my plate right now as it is, what with working towards getting a new Update for the Passenger Car Photo Index as well as fixin' to announce two new companion sites this Monday if everything goes right... hmm... electrically powered as a hint so it sort of fits right in with modeling)

[sirenwerks]

I'm thinking Sperry Rail Service or Speno . Cool .

Or this with that FA cab .

Knock yourself out: https://www.shapeways.com/product/2M9SJ7LWX/n-scale-herzog-mpm-flat-car-cab-end-v2-kato-truck?optionId=58707047

[Ed Kapuscinski]

You gotta paint it in the CSX boxcar scheme! hahaha