Large Scale Central

RC track vehicles?

Modeling
#1

A Long time ago in another life (sigh) I had the hair brained idea to tack a Die Cast Chevrolet Suburban. Motorize the chassis, add a Three Channel RC system and add in operable rail wheels. I started acquiring the parts and pieces for this project. It was never accomplished. I have a 1990’s vintage Die Cast Suburban someplace? I had an older Three Channel Wheel radio and servos etc. for the project but never started merging them. The motorized and steerable chassis stifled me.

Another rail vehicle project that sits buried under the crap piled on the workbench. A old 5 window ford with a truck bed in place of the rumble seat. The road tires replaced with Rail wheels. Painted G&W orange. I again have sourced appropriate wheels and the plastic model kit. The chassis has again slowed me down.

Anyone have suggestions? Inexpensive solutions?

Chas

#2

My friend Dan DeVoto did a track car from a Hubley car. Read his post…maybe it can give you some ideas.

http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/20982/hubley-track-inspection-car

#3

Ray Dunekin did one too, out of a Hubley depot Hack.

#4

Chas, If you’re looking to do this on the cheap I might start with a used RC car from a yard sale. Tear out the mechanics and apply them to your chosen model. Are you planning to drive as normal them hop on the track and drop the rail wheels? Or are you just replacing the car’s tires with Rail Wheels?

#5

With the Suburban, I’d like to be able to drive “on the road”, drop the wheels, at least semi prototypically, and run the rails. I have though of butchering a small used Toy RC car and adapting that chassis. Especially for the steering parts.

The second one will be a rail runner only similar to the Hubley’s as examples. Sadly this has less interior room.

Thanks

Chas

#6

OK, that would be called a hi-rail vehicle.

#7

Yeah Chas, in that case I’d definitely look for a toy RC car. You could graft some e over center mechanics to drop and lock Rail wheels by hand. Perhaps you could steal some O scale wheels an re-gauge, for the smaller drop style that are on those vehicles.

#8

Thanks Joe Zullo! Pretty much exactly the type of vehicle I had in mind for the first car.

Exactly Randy Lehrian! I have some old Lionel pilot truck wheels for the guide wheels. As far as the RC I have a DX6i I plan on using now. back then I had sourced an older FM threee channel R/C car pistol grip radio made by “Aristocraft”. Modern Electronics in the R/C hobby have come a LONG way and I am way out of touch with them but I think it won’t be a steep learning curve?

The second car will start out being track powered at least.

Chas

#9

Interesting/ inspiring thread !!

Although I thought with the subject line it was going to be about a tracked vehicle, not running on ‘rail’ tracks :slight_smile:

#10

Doug Cannon said:

Interesting/ inspiring thread !!

Although I thought with the subject line it was going to be about a tracked vehicle, not running on ‘rail’ tracks :slight_smile:


It also could have reffered to the R/C Locomotives that some rail facilities use for switching purposes at either loading or unloading points.

Chas