[modeleng] Re: Beginners loco`s
- From: "alanjstepney" <alan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 04:07:52 +0100
Where is everyone?
No messages for over 24 hours!!
When you say "passenger carrying", do you mean pulling you and a couple of
children, or hauling several trucks full of people around your club track?
Also, what gauge(s) are available at your local club?
Assuming that you just want a small beginners loco, and that your club has
all three gauges available, then what size items are you happiest making?
As a wild generality, the smallest bolts on a 3 1/2" loco will be 9-10BA, on
a 5", 6BA, on 7 1/4" 4BA.
If you don't like working with the very small, then go for a larger gauge.
At the same time, the weight of a loco for the larger gauges will be far
more than for the smaller.
About the lightest 3 1/2", = 50 lbs, 5" = 100 lbs, and you wouldnt want to
carry around a 7 1/4" loco.!
Even lifting the latter from the track to your car might be a problem, or
else require some engineered lifting table.
Personally, I think that 5" is probably the best gauge, but that is purely
a personal view.
As for the ideal loco, I don't think there is one.
Do you want something that is prototypical or freelance?
Among the most popular beginners loco's, are, for 3 1/2" gauge, I would
suggest Juliet. A simple well proven design.
Rob Roy, Molly, William are three that are popular for beginners.
Note that I have omitted Tich. In my view, this is too small for serious
passenger hauling, and unless built really well, will barely pull itself.
When well-built, they are OK, albeit with limited hauling capacity, but
there is no room for error if they are to work.
For 5", many people like Simplex although I feel that there are others that
are better.
Speedy, Boxhill, Scamp, & Ajax /Achilles are worth considering.
In 7 1/2", Butch or Chub are good choices.
Sweet Pea and its derivatives are also worth considering. Some people say
that the marine-type boiler is easier to make than the conventional boiler.
Whichever loco you choose, make sure that it is one that YOU like. That will
help maintain the enthusiasm when problems occur.
I am sure that other list members will have their own views.
Good luck.
alan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.alanstepney.info
Model Engineering, Steam Engine, and Railway technical pages.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ronald" <Ron@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2004 10:31 PM
Subject: [modeleng] Re: Beginners loco`s
Nothing to do with VOHC`s
What is the ideal gauge for passenger carrying? and what is the best loco.
in the appropriate gauge
R.G.S.B.(Ron)
MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST.
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