Another freelance Garratt
- Thread starter Tim Brien
- Start date
Really looking good there Tim. And of you ever tire of it, feel free to ship it over to the Freedom Central, I'm sure we can find a place for it on our system.. somewhere 
Edit: Fixed Smilie
Edit: Fixed Smilie
If I may be so bold as to make a recommendation as to a [strike]pain[/strike] paint scheme, may I suggest a black smokebox while using the same shade of green as the tenders for the boiler jacket and yellow/gold for the boiler bands.
*Pain scheme suggests a horse of a different color.... pun intended
*Pain scheme suggests a horse of a different color.... pun intended
I have a simple question regarding power pickup. I do not wish connecting wires between each motor end drive and the centre carrier for simplicity of assembly on the track. My plan is to use four carbon brush pickup cartridges as sold by LGB/Massoth. Two carbon brushes would be positioned vertically each end either side of the pivot point. Brass 'rub' strips would be mounted to the flat pivot section of the drive chassis, so that when the centre carrier is positioned over the pivots, the carbon pickups will contact the brass strips.
During operation the sprung loaded carbon brushes would maintain contact with their specific brass contact strips. Track power would then pass through the centre carrier section without need to hook up wires each time the loco is positioned on the rails.
Having 'live' track power in the centre carrier will allow a fixed internal light in the cab, power continuity between the two drive chassis plus the possibility of a flickering firebox (I need to confirm that).
Eventually the loco will be decoder equipped but obviously the cab light and firebox glow will be permanent and not decoder controlled. A separate decoder in each drive will allow finetuning of each drive to ensure that they are speed and acceleration matched.
I have progressed the build over the weekend, but alas, more planning than actual progress.
During operation the sprung loaded carbon brushes would maintain contact with their specific brass contact strips. Track power would then pass through the centre carrier section without need to hook up wires each time the loco is positioned on the rails.
Having 'live' track power in the centre carrier will allow a fixed internal light in the cab, power continuity between the two drive chassis plus the possibility of a flickering firebox (I need to confirm that).
Eventually the loco will be decoder equipped but obviously the cab light and firebox glow will be permanent and not decoder controlled. A separate decoder in each drive will allow finetuning of each drive to ensure that they are speed and acceleration matched.
I have progressed the build over the weekend, but alas, more planning than actual progress.
Tim Brien said:
That, unfortunately, is the way of 'Freelance', but at least 'planning' can sometimes be done while doing other things.
I spend a lot of time that way.
I thought if I keep at this then I may not lose interest in the project. Some progress on the boiler superstructure. I still need to source some aluminium angle to finish off the underframe. The drive underframes are similarly progressed.
Firebox is a 'beefed up' Buddy 'L'/Heritage Express locomotive that I butchered some years ago. The boiler is still separate from the underframe. I am considering painting both items separately and then assembling. This will make it easier to paint the smokebox graphite or silver.
I have made provision to mount a speaker in the rear of the boiler. The rear face of the speaker will then exit sound up the smokestack/chimney plus additional holes drilled under the smokebox. I am hoping the interior tube of the boiler will impart a sound effect. Sound will also exit to the rear in the cabin area behind the firebox. Ideally, the aft face of the speaker should be sealed.
Firebox is a 'beefed up' Buddy 'L'/Heritage Express locomotive that I butchered some years ago. The boiler is still separate from the underframe. I am considering painting both items separately and then assembling. This will make it easier to paint the smokebox graphite or silver.
I have made provision to mount a speaker in the rear of the boiler. The rear face of the speaker will then exit sound up the smokestack/chimney plus additional holes drilled under the smokebox. I am hoping the interior tube of the boiler will impart a sound effect. Sound will also exit to the rear in the cabin area behind the firebox. Ideally, the aft face of the speaker should be sealed.
Definitely liked here! Looking forward to progress... I still think painting the boiler to match the cab's green and using dark graphite for the smokebox would look pretty cool, but thats my personal opinion, your value of it may not exist.
Progress mockup. Still a lot to do on the centre carrier underframe to visually 'deepen' the look of it.
Final colour choice is not fully decided. I was thinking a bland black boiler/underframe with a silver smokebox. This then replicates the finish on the original LGB #2016/17 that I used parts from.
Final colour choice is not fully decided. I was thinking a bland black boiler/underframe with a silver smokebox. This then replicates the finish on the original LGB #2016/17 that I used parts from.
More progress made. Underframe progressed to point of almost ready for painting (the point that I generally lose interest in a project). I will wire for DCC but will run on analogue for the moment as I will need two decoders to run this thing (the centre carrier underframe is electrically inert and I do not wish to have interconnect wires to assist assembly on the track).
Tim, any chance you could show us your design for the articulation points on your wee little beastie?
J.D.,
this is the raw pivots. No attempt to pretty them up yet. I prefer brass rubbing on brass to slow down wear. Ideally, the pivots should be inboard of the axle line, but alas, the LGB drive is not helpful in pivot location. Even with the stock LGB onboard cast weight there is no tendency for the centre carrier to tilt the drive. The relatively small pivot bearing plate allows a degree of flex in the articulation.
Last weekend I test ran this setup for over two hours with no problems.
this is the raw pivots. No attempt to pretty them up yet. I prefer brass rubbing on brass to slow down wear. Ideally, the pivots should be inboard of the axle line, but alas, the LGB drive is not helpful in pivot location. Even with the stock LGB onboard cast weight there is no tendency for the centre carrier to tilt the drive. The relatively small pivot bearing plate allows a degree of flex in the articulation.
Last weekend I test ran this setup for over two hours with no problems.
