I think back-woods chop-shopped wired together geared steam is cool. I figure I probably have to make some, but I’m wondering what kind of platform you used to build it. Anything you think is cool about it.
Tell us then show us.
This is as close as I get.
Years ago Roundhouse (MDC) offered a “kit” that would allow their boxcab diesel to be converted into a geared steam engine. That appears to be what you have there. The bad news is that those items are no longer available new.
Some of the real early geared engines were basically a flat car with a boiler and steam engine similiar to what would be used on a boat.
See http://www.gearedsteam.com/climax/climax.htm
Maybe http://climaxlocomotives.com/
http://www.shaylocomotives.com/
http://narrowmind.railfan.net/Vulcan_Duplex.JPG
Have fun
That’s not the “3 in 1” kit, it is their Climax engine, using the power chassis from the MDC boxcab diesel. You could probably find them on eBay.
Being adapted to fit onto the diesel chassis meant they had to make quite a few concessions with reality. There was an article many moons ago in MR or RMC on making the model a bit more realistic. Here’s my version:
(click on photos to enlarge)
It was a fair amount of work, especially on the white metal chassis, as a lot of it had to be removed. The boiler was cut down and put in a more realistic location, among other things.
There were all kinds of Climax backwoods locos, many a lot simpler than this one, with the actual steam engine part mounted inside the model. The sort of looked like opened up boxcars with a vertical steam boiler on one end, and a water tank on the other. There have been articles in the magazines on kitbashing/scratching models, do a search on MR’s magazine index.
Chip, I know you’re in HO scale, but maybe something similar to this is available in your scale (like a powered B unit diesel chassis with the weights removed?). I’m in N scale, and Kato makes powered chassis for scratchbuiding, kitbashing, conversions, and other such projects. They come in several part numbers for different wheel arrangements, but the ones that I picked up a while back for a type A climax project was Kato part #11-105. They look like this:
Unfortunately, I haven’t had the time to mess with them much yet. I envision something like this when I’m done:
(Loco’s built by Randy Gustafson)
Maybe something like this would be a good starting point for a project like what you’re talking about?
I have the same loco Chip, but instead of the LaFever chassis I went with a Spectrum 44-ton chassis. The length was perfect but the chassis had to be narrowed slightly. I also made sure the MDC body went as far down as possible on the Spectrum chassis (after decoder installation). The high mounted boiler never really bothered me, so I didn’t bother with any additional mods. I’m assuming your asking about HO scale, the newer 44 ton chassis is a good start, they can be found new on EBAY all day long for around 35.00.
Sorry for not replying sooner guys…work.
It is not diffilult to imagine getting a sweet runing lock for cheap, like the 44-tonner or the P2K S1 and building a MDC Type climax A on it.
What throws me is that these don’t really show the gearing that makes it a geared locomotive.
Am I asking too much, or am I just too inexperieinced to know what to look for?
When all else fails, there’s http://www.nwsl.com/CatalogPages.htm
As for the gearing, in most cases it is under the engine on the middle line, hence, many folks feel one can omit it.
Basically you are doing to have to trade off the size of the power unit and hence it’s pulling power against your ability to hide the power unit.
Have fun
Check out the gearing Chip, its mostly hidden, like the dog said. What scale are you thinking about?
Sheesh! I’ll have to list my entire roster! [:O]
And your point is?
HO-HO-HO (Like Santa)
Trainland is selling 44 tonners for $39.99 plus shipping; scroll down about 3/4 of the way down the page
http://www.trainworld.com/bachmann/bachmann_HO_diesel_motive.htm
OK, you asked for it [;)]
Yuz favorite N.K.P. MDC Climax, only rendered in 1/22.5 scale
My favorite, a real Class A Climax
The Shay-dunkirk
Kiwi AC Price 16 wheeler
Heisler #1
Heisler #2
Pee Wee
Dinky
Whadahellizit #1
Whadahellizit #2
Whadahellizit #3
Man, that’s alomost enought to make me drop 70’s era midwestern modeling and go for old geared steam. I wonder what a geared steam engine would look in Gn15?[:P]
Geared Steam how does the 44 tonner run? Over switches?
Got a couple of the box cabs. One runs but noisy and the other a non-runner. Reason I’m asking is that I also have the make your own galloping goose kit. I haven’t started to do anything but check out what may fit and sill make a decent look goose out of the mess. So far I ruled out the Riv Hiesler as a power plant since I would be grinding metal off the chassis but it does have the driveshafts under when it was upgraded with HWSL gear kits. I even think the outside drive shafts and gears strip off to make it appear like a regular truck with drive shafts.
Thanks,
Fred
Fred
No issues at all on dead frogs, and low speed is great. The decoder has too to be soldered in, and I kept the couplers on the 44 ton chassis. I’m very happy with the conversion, the Spectrum operates nicely. I’ll try and get a video for you.
EDIT: Fred please check your PM’s, a link to video
Thanks for the pics guys.
I’m so inspiratated, I’m gonna fire up the 25-year-old 14" Makita Chop Saw. I’m going to turn an N-scale 4-4-0 into a Nn30 Whatdahellizit.
I may even keep a few fangers.
Good luck with it, if the saw dont work theres always…
[:D]
vsmith, aren’t all of those Whadahellizitz…?
Would this help? http://www.nn3.ca/steam/bachman-nn3-convrsn.htm