That little yella thingy is pretty darned cute…
Hi all, Here is the platform for the trail car(s) I scratched the car frames from Pine wood and used Ozark Pedestals with Bachmann wheels and KD couplers. The electronics consist of NiMa battery pack, RCS BIK kit, AirWire G2 receiver and a Phoenx P8 sound card loaded with the “Galloping Goose” gas engine sound. The car “covers” will be coming soon, I am thinking two different covers so the trail car will blend better in the mining area and behind the rail truck on the main line.
Thanks for taking a look.
Rick
Rick,
I’ve just caught up with this thread. Your well-rounded modeling efforts are exceptional, as always. Is there any phase of the hobby you can’t do well?
What is a NiMa battery pack?
Regards,
Steve
Hi Steve,
Sorry about the typo.
They are NIMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries.
There are 12 AA cells in the pack totaling 14.4 volts
at 2200 amp hour.
I have ran the three “locos” for a combined several hours
and have yet to recharge the batteries, seem to work
quite well, as expected.
Later
Rick
Nice work Rick, can you tell us a bit more about the bridge. I,m thinking of stealing the design but need more information to steal it properly.
Hi John,
Steal away and welcome.
The base for the bridge is two lengths of Redwood 2X4 laminated together, side by side then ripped for width and cut to length.
The way I mounted the bridge “plank”, on the right in the pictures the “plank” extends beyond the bridge girder sides and sits in a cradle.
On the left in the pictures the bridge “plank” sits down over a 1/2 inch centering pin mounted in the top of the post that is set in the ground.
This makes a very positive set position subject only to the whims of expansion/contraction from wet or dry weather. Having a “slip” connection
on one end allows the bridge to drift with the fluxuations. How the track joints will do remains to be seen.
The bridge girder sides are made from 22 gauge galvy. The outside channel is about 3 and 1/2 inches high then there is a “C” shaped channel spot welded
to the inside of it that slips over the edge of the 2X4 deck. The vertical girts are just 1/2 by 1/2, 22 gauge spot welded to the sides.
Though retired from the trade, luckily, I still have access to a sheet metal shop which makes projects like this quick and easy.
Later
Rick
Thank you very much rick, I’m thinking I’ll use your sample and description for the removable bridge to my garage, basically in the planning stage.
JN
Love the name of the mine. Very creative. There is a mine near my house that the owner named after his wife…“The Holy Terror Mine”
Hi Guys,
A little more progress to share. Since these are gas mechanical locomotives/rail trucks and the sound card supports this I needed horns not whistles for these “prime movers” I couldn’t find any horn shape that would work for me so I made my own. These are turned on the lathe from 1/4 inch brass rod. The Box Cab roof.
ds.largescalecentral.com/users/rick_marty/WAINWRIGHT%20MINING%20DISTRICT/MDa25.jpg)
Here is a closeup of the hood area of the Davenport showing the new light, exhaust piping, and the turned horn mounted on the roof.
Although these are gas locomotives they still require a bell. Again I couldn’t find anything that suited me so I turned some from a 3/8ths aluminum bolt I had on hand. They came out OK, but I wish I would have had a piece of 1/2 inch stock to use. There will be pictures of them mounted on the rail truck and the Davenport somewhere further down the line.
Thanks for taking a look.
Rick
Horn and bell look great, Rick. How far “in” have the interiors been hollowed? What tool did you use to get inside and shape them? Just curious…
Steve
Nice work Rick.
Hey Steve,
The Horns were drilled with a centering bit with 60 degree shoulders and are
hollowed out about half way in.
The bells were started the same way but a straight drill bit followed to take the opening
further in then the inside was shaped with a boring bar tool.
To answer the question the bells are hollow all the way in.
Later
Rick
Nice work on those critters!
Hi All,
A few pictures of the latest work on the “trailing car covers” Here are the two covers I built to fit on the chassis of the trailing car. The explosives car will be used in the mining district and the RPO/freight car can/will be used behind the rail truck on the main line for LCL service.
Here the RPO/Box is hung behind the rail truck and ready for service.
This picture of the rail truck front shows the bell mounted to the pilot deck. Also a “luggage” rack has been added to the cab roof. A working headlight has been added and the luggage rack is holding a tool box and a 3 gallon gas can (mostly hidden by the head light).
The explosives car was built with Styrene sheet and is supposed to represent a steel car for hauling powder and stick explosives.
Just another shot of the same rig.
Well anyway with the two covers for the trail car and the 3 “prime movers” it gives a little visual relief to the “seeing the same ol car behind the loco all the time”
More to come.
Rick
Rick, some great model work… 
Hi all, Back on the mainline connection. The switch on the mainline is all cut in and ballasted. Everything working good.
Just another view
Thanks for looking.
Rick
Rick Marty said:Great idea, Rick. Had I thought of that, I'd have more of my motive power RC'd already ;) Ralph
Well anyway with the two covers for the trail car and the 3 "prime movers" it gives a little visual relief to the "seeing the same ol car behind the loco all the time"
Rick everything looks great.
Wonderful photographs and excellent workmanship.
Doc Tom
I really like your attention to detail. I always enjoy seeing the progress you are making.