Author Topic: N Scale Whitcomb 45 Tonner build  (Read 2645 times)

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peteski

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Re: N Scale Whitcomb 45 Tonner build
« Reply #30 on: February 03, 2025, 04:24:33 PM »
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Yes, with low-friction axle-point bearings the truck would have to be totally redesigned or replaced with the old-school high-friction inside-bearings trucks with some sort of wheel wipers for pickup.
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garethashenden

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Re: N Scale Whitcomb 45 Tonner build
« Reply #31 on: February 03, 2025, 04:49:26 PM »
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You may be right. Nobody likes a quitter. :)

I meant to include a  :trollface: at the end of my message. I hope you took it that way. But it is true that we don't know until we try.

Jim Starbuck

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Re: N Scale Whitcomb 45 Tonner build
« Reply #32 on: February 03, 2025, 06:32:46 PM »
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I meant to include a  :trollface: at the end of my message. I hope you took it that way. But it is true that we don't know until we try.
I knew it was tongue in cheek but I have actually thought it through enough to have a workable concept.
I’d need to see if I could squeeze a 7mm dual shaft motor in there first in order to drive both trucks.
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garethashenden

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Re: N Scale Whitcomb 45 Tonner build
« Reply #33 on: February 03, 2025, 07:42:25 PM »
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Yes, with low-friction axle-point bearings the truck would have to be totally redesigned or replaced with the old-school high-friction inside-bearings trucks with some sort of wheel wipers for pickup.

It’s possible to create an inside bearing chassis that is smooth enough and still has good electrical pickup. It’s a good way of testing a chassis. Without the motor, will it roll down an incline? It might not be possible to create that commercially, but it is possible to make it. I’ve done it.

If this were me, which it’s not, I would make a pair of split chassis trucks. I’d do them as an inside functional chassis with the outside frames just attached cosmetically. Extended axles on the wheels, ideally at a smaller diameter, would run through the cosmetic frames and have the cranks attached there. If it’s done well enough an unpowered truck should work fine.

mmagliaro

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Re: N Scale Whitcomb 45 Tonner build
« Reply #34 on: February 04, 2025, 02:27:55 PM »
+1
I have been quietly following along with this build since the beginning, and I just wanted to chime in to add my kudos for this
fine project.  The proportions, detailing and functional running of this model are terrific.  Very nice work!
If you do get a dual-shaft motor in there and drive both trucks, the side rods would be MUCH easier to make work.  You won't have
to worry about a free-rolling truck turning those cranks in quarter.  Just tack them onto the axles, let them go around for show,
and they can have some slop in the holes and not even be exactly quartered (and they will still work).