Topic: Smallest, lightest, strangest?, 2 1/2" scale loco around

[stockers]

When all parts added, do you think it'll pull an adult?

A test run at a large local club track had it pulling a chunky two person carriage - albeit with no one on board - providing it got a little gentle help to get started. That's with no extra ballast, just the gas tank full of go juice and a boiler of water.

More in due course...

[russ]

As the co-owner of two modern "speeders", this picture is priceless.  I had no idea speeders went back so far <grin>

Russ in Oakville, Ontario, Canada

[stockers]

Alex,

Brilliant!

You can just imagine the passenger(s) sitting on that leather bench shouting 'Faster, faster!' to the poor chap at the controls behind.

best

Chris

[Alex]

Just came over this picture. I think it would make a good prototype for your little loco.
http://kodtrak.railfan.net/midland/minshull/minshull%20engine%202.jpg

[russ]

You haven't lost it at all.  These wonderfully whimsical locomotive are a real treat.  Looking forward to its completion and hearing about how it performs.  One of our local modelers built something similar.  If I come across pictures of it, I will post them.

Russ in Oakville, Ontario, canada

[Alex]

Looks very nice. Think you should be able to increase weight a lot. Make a coalbunker and fill it with lead. When all parts added, do you think it'll pull an adult?

[stockers]

Just a little addendum.


Inspiration for the loco comes from:

http://come.to/orkaggen.railway


where



can be found.

At only:

Frame 90 x 145 cm
Wheels 35 cm double flanged
Boiler 21 cm over top of rail, 47 cm diameter, 95 cm high
Chimney 12 cm diameter, 90 cm high
Roof 200 cm over top of rail, 100 x 93 cm


It would actually be smaller than what I am building 


cheers


Chris

[stockers]

Essentially a repost of what I had dropped in here before a little IT hiccup occurred...










Now, I should be considered dangerous with two pieces of Meccano - I need help. Fortunately a chap only a few miles up the road in sunny southern England was in the process of moving his engineering hobby into a business (more to follow on this another day).

The upshot is that 'we' (my inspiration, his perspiration) are building what we think will be two of the smallest lightest and possibly strangest NON passenger hauling 5" live steamers around.

Basic spec:

About 15" x 5"

3 1/2" vertical boiler from

http://www.maccsteam.com/Vertical%20boilers/3_and_half_inch.html

twin cylinder steam motor from

http://www.grahamind.com/tvr1a.html

It may weigh as little as 10-12 lbs

Those wheels are 2 1/2", by the way, and the wheelbase 5". So it should go round square corners

The boiler and steam motor are just sitting there at present - and yes, I do know there are only three wheels on my wagon...


Those who think I have finally lost it are probably right. This is definitely Lewis Carroll country - 'Twinkle twinkle little bat, how I wonder what you're at, up above the world so high, like a tea tray in the sky.' Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter's tea party. Given the rail we decided to put around the chassis plate this has been designated the 'tea tray loco' - and very nice it is too.

The bathroom scales had trouble registering it, we think about 7lbs so far! But there are such oddments as gas and water tanks and a hand pump to go on yet. Also a driver may just squeeze on by having him sit over the tanks which will be somewhat disguised.

Oh, one last - rail may be code 335 'cos it is just about big enough to scale up to some of the light weight stuff used by
Decauville and others.

best


Chris