Large Scale Central

A Steam Powered Railbus?

Modeling
#21

Wow Don you did some extensive custom work on that build. I knew that mine was coming along too easily.

I was thinking that I could do something like Scott did by making the rear truck swing extra wide just in case but with even doing that I don’t think it would work for me. Thanks for the photos of how you setup that rear truck. Clever.

This is how it sits now nearing a visit to the paint shop but that is going to have to wait until this issue is sorted out. The total rig is 22" long and it is 14" between the center of the rear truck to the center of the front. back to the drawing board.

#22

It needs to pivot above where the car body meets the boiler above the locos rear axle, maybe widen the carbody opening at the front below the windows to give the boiler enough room to clear curves. If you’re using wide radius curves it may not need alot of cutting.

#23

That is a great start Todd. The advantage I had was being able to separate the boiler from the drive assembly. I suppose that’s not easy with your choice of engine.

Perhaps someone else who has made one of these can provide some other ideas.

#24

Todd what if you cut out the section with the clown on it?

#25

Sean McGillicuddy said:

Todd what if you cut out the section with the clown on it?

I might have to do that Sean but would rather not. It would shorten it up a few inches. I think I might have to go to a single axle moved forward and pivoted.

#26

John Bouck said:

Todd, the trailer caboose has water and oil bunkers, air tanks and other misc things on or in it.

Mine is strictly whimsey, following no particular actual prototype. I just looked at ones the guys built on this site and googled some pics.

It will be repainted for the ER&I one of these days.

Oh Bucket list!!! I love these steam rail buses and inspection loco type things. I HAD a lil hauler combine that i was thinking of doing something like this. I have seen this photo before and it just yells to be done. I might need another combine.

#27

There goes Devon again.

#28

mine is kinda whimsical too, I had made a little 4 wheel coach, then got a Dora Live Steamer. what could be better than a tiny loco and coach set? In 7/8th scale Dora is all of about 7 feet long!

#29

Devon Sinsley said:

Oh Bucket list!!!

This is Devon’s list!

#30

Sean, my “someday” list is maybe half that long, or a tad more. That’s why I can relate to Devon. I would like to build so much stuff, but finding the time, space, motivation, material, and money, to do it all, just doesn’t want to happen for me.

#31

Devon Sinsley said:

Oh Bucket list!!! I love these steam rail buses and inspection loco type things. I HAD a lil hauler combine that i was thinking of doing something like this. I have seen this photo before and it just yells to be done. I might need another combine.

I say go for it. Using a lil hauler is a good idea.

We all have plans and designs for future projects but finding the time, shelf space and waiting for inspiration not to mention the skill set to pull the build off is why this hobby is the greatest and never ending.

#32

Eric Schade said:

mine is kinda whimsical too, I had made a little 4 wheel coach, then got a Dora Live Steamer. what could be better than a tiny loco and coach set? In 7/8th scale Dora is all of about 7 feet long!

What could be better than a tiny loco and coach set? I don’t know but I think you nailed it AND live steam too!

#33

Sean McGillicuddy said:

Todd what if you cut out the section with the clown on it?

After a few more on track tests and a lot of staring at this thing I decided to put it under the saw.

I cut out 4" from the start of the windows to half way through the sliding doors. Goodbye you sad clown, Go cry somewhere else.

I will set it up with supports and lots of glue tonight to get the pieces back together including the roof. I think the rear truck will still need to have a mechanism put in to allow for a wider swing on curves.

Coming along.

#34

Great idea! (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

I’m looking forward to see how it comes out!

#35

Sean that is volume #1 of a 100 volume set.

#36

The following link is 1/20 steam powered railbus scratch built by Don Rose. It was a 1st place winner at the 2012 narrow gauge convention in Seattle.

The model is of an actual prototype.

http://www.narrowperspective.com/the-conventions/2012—seattlebellevue-wa/contest-room/rod-locomotives/contestroomrodlocomotive.html#previous-photo

#37

(posted in wrong thread)

#38

Delete

#39

The railbus was benched for a few weeks but now I’m back to it. Yesterday I thought it ws heading to the paint shop then I put the roof on and found it to be catching somewhere so that was sorted out then another problem popped up. (literally)

The rear truck is on a pivot arm attached to the rear of the loco so the railbus can negotiate 5’ diameter curves. This arrangement leaves no support under the rear of the passenger body and with the added weight of the roof it caused the railbus to do a pop awheelie ! I will need to add more weight to the front.

I also decided to put a cowcatcher on the front and found one from a Bachmann 4-6-0 in my parts box along with running boards that fit above the drive wheels.

This weekend should provide more progress.

#40

Todd Haskins said: This weekend should provide more progress.

And Pics! (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)