I have a 1/24th scale Volkswagen bus body that I wish to convert to a rail bus for my daughter who is, for some reason, a Volkswagen fanatic. My thought is to find a motor block that will fit under it, and put together a way to mount it with a small decoder above it.
Any thoughts on a motor block that might work, as well as a decoder?
The bus is 8" long x 2.5" wide x 2" tall.
Sorry, this ended up in the wrong area, if someone wants to move it.
Wheel base center to center?
5-3/4"
Wow, that’s a tough one. I’m not sure what’s available these days at all.
The real answer will probably vary depending on how much work you want to do.
I like the Bachmann RailTruck for sheer flexibility. I modified it to be completely different, but it was a lot of work.
But, I don’t know where you’d get one. (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cry.gif)
Something “easier” might be to use the H-L-W Mighty Mack.
I don’t know if you can just buy the block, but Robbie has them in stock.
I use the Revolution for my controller - sometimes with a Phoenix sound card; sometimes with just the Revolution sound.
You MIGHT be able to find an Aristocraft or USA Trains block, but I wouldn’t know where. I think your main problem will be availability.
Another really DIY idea is to build it up yourself: http://www.sdp-si.com/ although I seem to remember somebody offering a ready to go product - unfortunately my memory seems to have gone elsewhere…
What’s the VW body like? Would a motor block slip in? Or, are you trying to make it look like a VW with 4 RR wheels?
More ideas (with no idea how practical they might be, or even if they are affordable):
https://www.precisionmicrodrives.com/gearmotors
https://www.modelmotorcars.com/scalehardware/
http://hobbymasters.com/science-kits/motors-gears-wheels-pulleys/
Sounds like a fun project!
The good news is what you want is already made:
https://www.trainli.com/draisines-handcars-119/bk-96001-p-965
Greg
An Eggliner might work, too.
I think the wheels are too big and the wheelbase too short.
Greg Elmassian said:
The good news is what you want is already made:
https://www.trainli.com/draisines-handcars-119/bk-96001-p-965
Greg
It’s also $170, and even worse, it looks awful.
As far as Aristocraft, there is a 2-axle Aristocraft motor block available for $80 at Only Trains. I don’t know if it would require separate pick-ups, or if it has pickups, and I’m not sure how big it is.
Daniel Collins said:
Greg Elmassian said:
The good news is what you want is already made:
https://www.trainli.com/draisines-handcars-119/bk-96001-p-965
Greg
It’s also $170, and even worse, it looks awful.
Yeah, but other than THAT…
Is there anyone here that has an eggliner and can tell me the dimensions of the motor block?
I can also pick up the motor block for the Bachmann speeder for less than $50. Anyone know the dimensions on that?
I have an Aristo 2 axle motor block that is 3 7/8" wb
Dan the block is 61.89 from RLD it is listed under aristo parts but it is backmann. here is the dimensions, 98.75mm center line of wheel base, wheel dia. 35mm at tread, block is 35.4mm wide,137.71 with the little tit that sticks out just the block 131.69 without long and 31.87 thick, and from track up to top 45.35mm .
have fun Richard
if no one gives sizes on speeder i have one have to dig it out
also the pickup power is in the wheels 4 wires come out of block 2 for motor and 2 for pickup
Dan for 36.00 plus shipping is a good price on the speeder block.
Richard
Hmm… color is weird, but it has good details, but oh well…tried to help… Motor block will cost almost half and still be wrong wheel size and wheelbase, but if I had to do it inexpensively, I guess I would chop up something with small wheels, and extend the wheelbase, one axle motorized and get power pickup on all 4 wheels.
So I would find anything with small wheels…
Greg
Since it doesn’t have to pull anything, but itself, you might be able to cobble something together using one of the Tamiya gearboxes.
Dan speeder WB is 50mm C/L , wheel dia. is 19.02. 2 wheel drive, pick up is small cooper strips that push on wheels. as is good for a bug drive
have fun Richard
Thanks for all the replies, folks. I’m sure I can come up with something now.
This is the van I want to turn into a rail car.
Here ya go, This is a 1/24 Testor’s Metal Model
Which motor block is that?
