G64 Troublesome Truck Conversion

Does anyone know the recommended back to back wheel measurement for G64/gauge 3 please.

Nope but I know a man who does.
 
http://www.gauge3.org.uk/technical.html
 

Neil Robinson


Nope but I know a man who does.

http://www.gauge3.org.uk/technical.html

58mm then. That's just the job, many thanks Neil .
 
Now where's me saw? 

yb281

Neil Robinson


Nope but I know a man who does.

http://www.gauge3.org.uk/technical.html

58mm then. That's just the job, many thanks Neil .

Now where's me saw? 

 
Now what are you up to????  

A note of caution here. I remember reading that GRS G64 standards are different from those traditional guage 3. It may be worth checking.

adeshers

Now what are you up to????  

Well, what happened waaaassss - when we were in York on Saturday, I bought one of they Bachmann  Thomas troublesome trucks (the new version without a face) with the intention of using it as a battery carrying wagon. But when I opened it up it was HUGE, so spending Sunday in the National Railway Museum, I used their excellent new library to research some measurements of typical standard gauge open wagon of this kind and scaling them down, the Bachmann truck came out pretty well spot-on for 1/22nd scale. Only thing is of course that it's 45mm gauge.
 
Now I've always intended to incorporate a standard Gauge interchange siding into the WGLR and recently found room for an 8' long siding. During a recent visit from local GSS members, I even got the offer of a suitable length of 64mm gauge track. So all I now need is some rolling stock to put on it ......... and you can probably see where this is going .
 
 

I've done some photos of the Bachmann wagon compared to various items of narrow gauge stock to show how they compare.

First with my GRS Kerr Stuart 0-4-2T.
 

With a typical 1/22.5 LGB wagon.
 

Alongside an Accucraft 1/19th W&L coal wagon.
 

Best comparison of the lot and exactly the look I'm after, with my Hartland wagon conversions.

Attached Image(s)

Now all I have to do it re-gauge the Bachmann truck. I could just buy a new wheel set from GRS, but that would be too easy wouldn't it?
 
When you consider that the Bachmann truck is widely available for less than 40 quid, that's about half the price of most 64mm gauge kits. And more trucks are on the way. So if I can come up with a fairly easy way of re-gauging, it might mean a much cheaper way of populating the new interchange siding. 

Thanks for the comparison photos, Mel. I was wondering whether the TT's were going to be suitable. I'm looking for more options to sit on my transporter wagon . Post some pics of the re-gauging won't you.

And Mel, next time go to Skeggy or similar, it works out cheaper in the end
 
This could populate your siding in real style, even the 'Kat would go green
 
http://cgi.ebay.de/Spur-3...mp;hash=item4aa885a284
 

adeshers


Thanks for the comparison photos, Mel. I was wondering whether the TT's were going to be suitable. I'm looking for more options to sit on my transporter wagon . Post some pics of the re-gauging won't you.

Are you thinking of doing 'short sidings' like the L&MVLR? That would look the biz too.

The finish on that troublesome truck looks very good Mel - if a bit shiney. The black iron work etc. is well detailed. Amazing its so big. 

adeshers


Thanks for the comparison photos, Mel. I was wondering whether the TT's were going to be suitable. I'm looking for more options to sit on my transporter wagon . Post some pics of the re-gauging won't you.

 
Will do Ade. I've sorted it out in my head how I'm going to attempt it, but every soldier knows that a plan never survives first contact with the enemy ........... so I'll probably make it up as I go along. No change there then .

pugwash


And Mel, next time go to Skeggy or similar, it works out cheaper in the end

When I was a Sprog I was stationed near Skeggy Pugsworth. I spent some time catching crabs  .

stockers


The finish on that troublesome truck looks very good Mel - if a bit shiney. The black iron work etc. is well detailed. Amazing its so big. 

The detailing is pretty good mate. I reckon they've probably just "upscaled" one of their OO wagons. The finish is a bit shiney, but a re-spray is one the cards (I suppose I could have bought a grey one and removed the face) plus a bit of weathering ..................... of course .

pugwash

adeshers


Thanks for the comparison photos, Mel. I was wondering whether the TT's were going to be suitable. I'm looking for more options to sit on my transporter wagon . Post some pics of the re-gauging won't you.

Are you thinking of doing 'short sidings' like the L&MVLR? That would look the biz too.

 
You're a mind reader you are, Puggy    

looks a good size for the job, Mel
the boss says we should have some SG - this looks like a good way to do it

Re-gauging the excellent metal wheels supplied with the wagon couldn't be easier.
 
First the axles were cut in half. You'll need a proper full size hacksaw with a decent blade for this, a junior job just bounces off. I bought a length of ali tubing from B&Q that's a snug fit onto the axles. Enough to do about half a dozen wagons for less than 3 quid.
 

 
The ali tube was cut to gauge as in post 3 (actually very slightly less to allow for a little adjustment) and the axles slipped in. These will be held in place with a little epoxy resin when the 58mm back to back will be set. Although my wagon will only ever sit in it's siding (???????), I made sure that the ali didn't touch the metal of the wheels at any point so that they won't short out if it does ever run on a powered track.
 

 
As has been mentioned in previous threads, I really hope that Bachmann will sell these wheel sets seperately.
 

Attached Image(s)

Next comes modification of the chassis to take the wider axles.
 
This is how it comes as standard. The axle boxes are cosmetic, the axles actually run in metal hangers which can be un-screwed. I did contemplate drilling holes in the axle boxes and fitting bearings so that they really worked, but chickened out in the end and went for the original set-up.
 

 
I made 3 hacksaw cuts to seperate the buffer beams and cut the chassis down the middle using the coupling mounts as a guide. If you want to retain the tension hook couplings, you'll have to cut in a different way.
 

 
The stregthening pieces on the underside of the body have to be cut/filed away where the pen marks are to allow for fitting of the re-positioned chassis pieces. You may notice that the truck has changed colour .
 

Attached Image(s)

Transporter wagons on the way ??