LGB Steam Railcoach (definately NOT R1 capable)

Freelance bit of brainstorming.  A couple of hours kitbashing this afternoon combining a venerable Stainz and a LGB #3061 Barmer coach.  I need to disassemble and paint the cab brown.   I have always liked steam railcars and this seemed a logical car to make.
 
Will negotiate my ten foot curves.  Four foot would be nearly impossible as the swing clearances would be visually very ugly.
 

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Very nice job, think that I would be looking for an old banger Stainz, they did do a Brown one years ago. If you can get hold of an oldie just swop out the bodywork  Brown to Green and save a paint job.
 
Oh there are a couple of these Barmers on Ebay (UK) at the moment, finish in just over a day.
 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360428277581?
ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1186
 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm...55.l2649#ht_500wt_1186
 
JonD

Nice Tim. 10ft curves? Envious!

Jon,
     I had several of the old #2040 brown cab Stainz.  Some were so dark as to be almost black (very dark brown).  I have a green #3060 Barmer body that I could use.
 
Mick,
    ten foot is the minimum that I would consider to run.  Not trying to make you jealous,  really.

A little more refinement.  I was concerned with the single pivot point integrity, long term.  I decided that an upper pivot was also required.  As it had to align vertically with the lower pivot,  it required a somewhat outrigger type mounting.  The pivot hole on the coach roof is slightly enlarged allowing a degree of movement to allow the car to track more reliably (hopefully).
 
Lower photo shows full deflection for ten foot diameter.  I reel in horror if this was actually made to traverse a R1 curve.
 

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Just a further though on curves. I know and understand your desire to keep it off R1. However I do see this as not too much of a problem. Where you have a piece of White Plasticard to fill the join between Loco and Couch would help if it were flexible. I have found that Butyl Pond Liner works perfectly if stuck on one end say the Loco. I have used this to great effect on my Europeanised LGB American 2-6-0. It has been used to fill the gap between Tender and Loco. It also has the great benefit of being quite Matt.
JonD

A feature of many steam railcars is the relatively short length of the steam 'tractor' unit.  With this in mind,  the donor Stainz was simply too long.  I removed a 25mm section from the boiler moulding and moved the cab forward.  The basic stock firebox moulding on the early Stainz was a little drab,  so I built up an extended firebox to fill out the cab.
 
Similarly,  a 25mm section was taken from the floor moulding,  allowing the coach pivot points to align.  One day the railcar will be fitted with a sound decoder, lighting and flickering firebox.  Power pickups on the coach wheels will take care of pickup issues associated with short locomotives.
 

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Tim Brien


A little more refinement.  I was concerned with the single pivot point integrity, long term.  I decided that an upper pivot was also required.  

 
That’s a really great job Tim.
 
If you have a stock of Stainz and 10ft curves wonder if you could get away with a non articulated unit
something  like this 3’-6” job.
Referred to locally as the “Coffee Pot”
 

 
http://www.prr.org.au/cms/gallery2/?g2_itemId=627
 

Some form of articulation is always required.  Rigid units are suited to straight track only as our curves are far less than scaled down prototype.
 
I have made three 'rigid' units,  however, the trailing truck always required a radial swing arm attachment,  pivotted off the rear of the motor drive block.  Downside of this method is overhang on curves.

A bit of mayhem started this morning.  The OBB ran a narrow gauge single-axle railtruck with a boxcar body.  I have been looking at a Stainz over the last few days thinking that a single axle drive is a possibility.  It will though entail I believe a 'duck waddle down the track. I may attach it to an OBB #4063 boxcar. 
 
Progress to date.  Based on an older Stainz and a later four pin drive block.  Aft chassis will be shortened once I do a few measurements.
 

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You're a brave man, Tim.
Shortening the Stainz further has given it that stubby railmotor look. I did think I'd seen an 0-2-2 railmotor but it turned out to be an LSWR C14 loco, designed to pull one coach as a push-pull. As they were converted very quickly to 0-4-0's I have struggled to find a picture of the 0-2-2 version on the net, but this gives some scant details.....  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LSWR_C14_class
 

Well the ugly duckling progresses.  Early Stainz wheelset fitted (with traction tyre.  Rods still need to be shortened to suit.
 
I decided, for practicality,  that the loco had to be a 2-2-0 to hopefully stop any potential waddling.  Leading wheelset is a Bachmann 24.5 mm modified to fit.
 
 

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That looks good Tim, trust you are well, just starting some new tramway projects/bashing;- will be posting pictures, plus an article in the next couple of weeks. Alyn

Alyn,
       good to hear from you.  I am looking forward to your article on trams.

oldoak

Tim Brien


A little more refinement.  I was concerned with the single pivot point integrity, long term.  I decided that an upper pivot was also required.  

That’s a really great job Tim.

If you have a stock of Stainz and 10ft curves wonder if you could get away with a non articulated unit
something  like this 3’-6” job.
Referred to locally as the “Coffee Pot”



http://www.prr.org.au/cms/gallery2/?g2_itemId=627

The coffee pot does have a "radial mounting" on the bogie under the passenger compartment. If you watch it in video you can see the rear end swinging side to side despite the fairly heavy springs to try to keep it in line..
 
 

I decided on a dedicated postal railcar (suits my general 'DR' theme).  If needed,  then the loco should have enough grunt to pull a few coaches.  Quick assembly to get an idea of the final product.  Will negotiate down to around six foot diameter.  I added weight to the cab fuel bunkers as weight was required to be removed to provide clearance for a decoder in the boiler.  A speaker will be fitted in the forward end of the trail car.  Loco cab will be painted to match the car,  with black underframe.
 

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