How do I build a street car/trolley

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

How can I build a modern ho scale literail ho scale?

2

There are a number of European prototype streetcars available in HO scale, which could be adapted to resemble modern outline US streetcars.

Something like this:

or this model from Roco:

3

The East Penn Traction Club has provided this web site to promote the hobby:

http://www.eastpenn.org/mod_tips.html

It’s a very good starting point, and will probably answer a lot of questions.

4

Very carefully.

What is a “literail”?? I googled it and got no answer.

5

I think he means “Light Rail” – eg something along the lines of the Cleveland Rapid Transit, or the Chicago El, rather than the commuter trains that travel over standard railroads (DC Metra?).

(this is completely tongue in cheek[8D])

  • first you’ve got to find yourself a source of copper, zinc, iron and lead

  • mine the ores

  • take said ores to a foundry to extract the pure copper, zinc, iron and lead

    • mix the copper & zinc in proper quantities to form brass. save some copper for wiring, and other uses.

      • pour said molten brass into moulds of the detail parts, gears and other parts you’re gonna need (frame, shell, etc)
      • turn the gears and any other parts on a lathe to achieve proper dimensions- Mix the iron with other materials to form steel
      • pour said molten steel into moulds for the wheels and other steel parts we’re gonna need
      • turn the wheel/axle assemblies on a lathe to achieve proper NMRA RP 25 (or proto87) contours.

    • take the lead and form into solder (you might need other materials to get proper solder melting temperatures, if so obtain in the same manner as above)

      • use solder to assemble the afore-mentioned parts

Now, in order to help you out, we’ll take you blindfolded to the middle of a remote forest, and will provide the following tools:

  • X-acto knife with a selection of new blades

enjoy!

6

Enjoyed Dan’s answer, but there’s a more practical one:

First - rob a bank.

Then, obtain a current copy of Tetsudo Mokei Shumi and a Japanese translator.

Finally - peruse the magazine and order the light rail rolling stock that most closely resembles what you want. Since most presently-operating light rail systems use Japanese designed cars…

So, why rob that bank? Each HOj (1:80 scale, 16.5mm gauge) powered car will probably kick the feathers out of a $1,000 bill! Trailers (non-powered cars) are almost as expensive. Even a year’s subscription to the magazine will cost about $250 (at least, that’s what I’ll be sending them tomorrow.)

Happily for all concerned I purchased my roster when a dollar bought a lot more Yen and a Kiloyen would buy a lot more model railroad product. I could never duplicate it at today’s prices…

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

7

Model Railroader had a good series of articles on a traction layout that followed the Boston MBTA. It had underground Green Line running and above ground running out the Riverside branch. I seem to remember it was N scale. Rolling stock was PCC trolley cars, era was post war, 1950’s thru the 1980’s. The articles appeared in the not too distant past. They are good reading for planning any traction layout.

8

A less tongue-in-cheek:

One question for you then, what gauge do you want it to be in? HO is easiest, but most of the lightrail I;ve heard around Indy (who is looking into the project) is that it might end up being narrow gauge (HOn3 or HOn30)

Beyond that, most of the available equipment looks a bit like the models Madog posted-European. Model Power(?) did one similar in DC, looks nice enough and is definately cheaper. Otherwise, you’re looking at Scratchbuilding, or doing like San Fran did and using older trolleys modified for new equipment, which is not a bad choice. The Bachmann Spec. trolleys would also not be too bad an option for Light Rail service.

And also, New Orleans had to pull some out of stoarge when Katrina came through because it was faster to pull them out and get them running than repair the eqipment

9

There are a couple weblinks for trolley construction…

[1] Yahoo! Groups – Trolley Search (whether trolley/traction or trolley/bus).

[2] Modeling electrified railroads – BMTA article series mentioned above (PDF-download).

[3] Traction Planbook – Consider getting the combo w/Traction Handbook.

[4] 2 Guyz – The Trolley Forum – Answers “for virtually all” questions.

Also see the MRR Forum thread – Trolly (trolley) Question.

Upon closer look, you will find “trolley conversions” may be the best solution to get what you are looking for – Where a separately purchased trolley-shell is combined with an engine/chassis from say, an atlas diesel – And you’ll need to paint & detail the trolley shell.

The key in traction = Take the time to do the research – Unless all ready-to-run is affordable.