Large Scale Central

Ebay Oddball, not G gauge but still large scale ???

Modeling
#1

Just what did I buy off eBay?

It’s hand built, it’s large scale, but it ain’t G gauge. Near as I can figure this was built for a standard gauge section on a narrow gauge layout. Gauge looks like 2.5" it’s all hand made, even the wheels are turned wood. The drive is a cordless screwdriver and it’s very well done. But it’s going to have to be rebuilt for the outside layout. Haven’t decided what to do with it. Once upon a time I could just grab a couple Aristo centercab blocks, but those are rare as dragons’ teeth today.

It came with an ore car. The ore car will convert to a hopper pretty straightforward, but the engine is going to be interesting

(edit) yes those ARE drill bits for axles, don’t ask me why

#2

Hand lay a new pizza for it

Its interesting none the less.

#3

No thanks, I got my hands full with the outside layout. I saw this on the G section on Ebay, knew it was large scale from the Bachmann engineer, but it didn’t anything much else about it. I put in the base bid, expecting to be outbid but I got it. Didn’t know it was Gauge 3 until I got it.

#4

Well its interesting none the less

#5

OK. You figured it is gauge3. Pretty easy to make track, and you can get proper wheels and axles from Slaters Plastikard in the UK, where g-3 is well known.

Or you could call Don at Iron Creek and get some F scale wheels and track for std gauge at 71mm. I’m a fan of dual gauge personally.

#6

Where would I put that new Gauge 3 pizza? Nah, I can’t anyways. The Skil cordless screwdriver thats the motor didn’t come with a recharging cord and I don’t have anything that would work. I’m going to see if I can acquire a pair of USA NW1 bricks with side-frames. I am told they are available on the USA website, I might also just check to see how an HLW Mack base might work, I have two of those readily available. In the meantime I am going to work on the hopper, adding a pair of Bachmann trucks and couplers, as well as additional details like grab rails and such.

#7

i doubt, that it is Gauge 3. then it should be 89mm.

looks at the most like F-scale standard gauge. (70.62mm)

or either F-scale narrow gauge or 1:22.5 standard gauge. (both 64mm)

http://kormsen.info/scales/

#8

I wouldn’t have been able to deduce what it was, but I will say the coolness factor is high with a strong flavor of ingenuity.

If the wheels are ironwood would that be as good as metal?

#9

Fascinating… even the wheels are wood. What is that black tube-like thing under the cab? A speaker?

#10

Ray Dunakin said:

Fascinating… even the wheels are wood. What is that black tube-like thing under the cab? A speaker?

I’m guessing they are stanchion bases for weight, their being cast metal.

#11

Ray Dunakin said:

Fascinating… even the wheels are wood. What is that black tube-like thing under the cab? A speaker?

It’s some kind of heavy pipe fittings, there’s a pair of them, F&R. Not sure what I will do with them. Probably relocate them.

#12

Vic Smith said:

Just what did I buy off eBay?

It’s hand built, it’s large scale, but it ain’t G gauge. Near as I can figure this was built for a standard gauge section on a narrow gauge layout. Gauge looks like 2.5" it’s all hand made, even the wheels are turned wood. The drive is a cordless screwdriver and it’s very well done. But it’s going to have to be rebuilt for the outside layout. Haven’t decided what to do with it. Once upon a time I could just grab a couple Aristo centercab blocks, but those are rare as dragons’ teeth today.

It came with an ore car. The ore car will convert to a hopper pretty straightforward, but the engine is going to be interesting

(edit) yes those ARE drill bits for axles, don’t ask me why (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)

Because that was all the builder could afford or could acquire to do the build? It looks like it was built on a shoestring budget.

I would leave it “as it is” except for a re-guage and not mess around with it at all after that, I would use it a conversation piece for whenever people come over.

I would just put a battery in it and use it as a “set and forget” letting it trundle around while watching it and relaxing after a days work.

There is some craftsmanship there that went into making it that should be appreciated.

I have some wagons that were handmade by an old gent who has since passed away and the only thing I did was convert then to 45mm wheels to replace the 32mm ones. I refer to them as my “Legacy” wagons.

Personal opinion only.

#13

GAP trouble is it’s a cordless screwdriver, without the charger, I don’t know if I could find the right replacement charger. And even if I could I don’t know if the screwdriver would even hold a charge. I’ve been through a few cordless screwdrivers who’s batteries went flat and had to get an entirely new replacement as the batteries are built in to the driver. Already got the hopper well underway. Haven’t decided the final fate of the loco aside from not touching the bodywork also the wooden flanges are way too thick for my turnout frogs, so the wheels have to go no matter what.

#14

Vic Smith said:

GAP trouble is it’s a cordless screwdriver, without the charger, I don’t know if I could find the right replacement charger. And even if I could I don’t know if the screwdriver would even hold a charge. I’ve been through a few cordless screwdrivers who’s batteries went flat and had to get an entirely new replacement as the batteries are built in to the driver. Already got the hopper well underway. Haven’t decided the final fate of the loco aside from not touching the bodywork also the wooden flanges are way too thick for my turnout frogs, so the wheels have to go no matter what.

You could dismantle the screwdriver to separate the motor and gearbox from the battery and wire in a new battery the, change the wheels job done.

#15

Skil Twist 3.6v

Either the battery pops out and fits a charger or a wall wart plugs into a cradle to charge.

https://www.ebay.com/i/174210014278?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=174210014278&targetid=882904020427&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9030261&poi=&campaignid=6469981122&mkgroupid=86285324342&rlsatarget=pla-882904020427&abcId=1141176&merchantid=101498651&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh9KFnLuJ6AIVgh-tBh1WcAMIEAQYASABEgIc_PD_BwE

#16

Given its similarity to the HO models I suspect locomotive design was inspired by or simply scaled up from the similar but different “Hustler” locomotives by Athearn and by Model Power.

http://hotraincollector.com/the-iconic-athearn-hustler/

The model’s hood top detailing leans more toward Model Power’s Porter Hustler than it does Athearn’s version.

https://www.walthers.com/porter-hustler-locomotive-powered-southern-railway

#17

Whatever its provenance and backstory, Vic, thanks for taking the time and effort to bring this piece of railroad inspired art back to life.

Eric

#18

Progress on the Hopper, painted it completely since these pics were taken, found a Tamiya paint that was a close match. also added grab irons to the sides.

A couple of pics showing its relative size to some standard Big Hauler car and its right in line with them.

#19

Vic, the East Broad Top used to swap trucks on std gauge cars and fit them with modified 3’ trucks (wider bolster supports.) That’s what your hopper looks like.