Got my little prototyping machines up and running.

[Lemosteam]

I betta' test 'em pretty good myself before I starts ship'n 'em out.   

Nah, just have him sign a Non-disclosure agreement... 

[u18b]

Here are my favorite battery/electric critters.

Milw Road:   http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/8/3/6/4836.1303325159.jpg


And Chessie/CSX:   http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/2/5/2/9252.1156939200.jpg

[narrowminded]

Here are my favorite battery/electric critters.

Milw Road:   http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/8/3/6/4836.1303325159.jpg


And Chessie/CSX:   http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/2/5/2/9252.1156939200.jpg

That stuff should be very doable with what I've already been working on.  Off the top of your head, any idea of wheelbases or range of wheelbases for those types of locos?  And I'm guessing they'd be similar to many box cabs.  Also that the interest would be N scale, especially.

[u18b]

That stuff should be very doable with what I've already been working on.  Off the top of your head, any idea of wheelbases or range of wheelbases for those types of locos?  And I'm guessing they'd be similar to many box cabs.  Also that the interest would be N scale, especially.

No.  But the Milwaukee unit is built on top of a truck.  So it is VERY tiny.

Not sure about the CSX one.

[narrowminded]

Nah, just have him sign a Non-disclosure agreement... 

I teased Von Ryan a little with my answer but if you're catching this, Von Ryan, you'd be one I would want to see this.  From very early on in this endeavor you expressed interest and encouragement, offering track time at one of your New Jersey shows, specifically inviting me to attend, and other such kindnesses.  I appreciated that and you'll be kept abreast.   Also, that box cab "Phoenix" that you linked to would be a good candidate for one of these motors.  It would make a cute loco.   (Can locos be "cute"?   SHOULD locos be cute?   And if they are, should we express that or just keep it to ourselves?) 

[sd45elect2000]

Here are my favorite battery/electric critters.

Milw Road:   http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/8/3/6/4836.1303325159.jpg


And Chessie/CSX:   http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/2/5/2/9252.1156939200.jpg

The Milwaukee motor ran on an extension cord. Witness the burn marks on the sides on the cab.

[narrowminded]

No.  But the Milwaukee unit is built on top of a truck.  So it is VERY tiny.

Not sure about the CSX one.

That one in the video is a 44" wheelbase in N scale and with 24" wheels  I wouldn't guess it would be shorter than that just going by physical space available.  In fact, I don't think much would be shorter than that.  The larger battery mine loco wheelbase that instigated this is actually 6'.  I expect a longer wheelbase will be needed for most locos and expect I will make several.  The good part is it won't take a major reinvention of the whole thing, just plugging in some new numbers in the spans between working bits.

[narrowminded]

The Milwaukee motor ran on an extension cord. Witness the burn marks on the sides on the cab.

Now THAT would solve some pickup problems.   N scale extension cords, hmmm.   That's for another day lifetime.

[nkalanaga]

From what I remember, but can't find the source for, the MILW X3800 truck is from an Anaconda, MT streetcar.  And, yes, it was powered from an extension cord, with the only purpose being to move the big motors in and out of the Deer Lodge shops.  For a general-purpose locomotive it would have to be either battery or internal combustion powered.  Battery might not look any different, other than maybe a few vents for gases released during charging.

[narrowminded]

From what I remember, but can't find the source for, the MILW X3800 truck is from an Anaconda, MT streetcar.  And, yes, it was powered from an extension cord, with the only purpose being to move the big motors in and out of the Deer Lodge shops.  For a general-purpose locomotive it would have to be either battery or internal combustion powered.  Battery might not look any different, other than maybe a few vents for gases released during charging.

The depth and breadth of railroad knowledge around here is staggering.   I can make machinery that works but the level of detail in this stuff is way beyond my knowledge base.  I can generally figure out how to make it but struggle with what to make.  You folks are amazing.

[sd45elect2000]

From what I remember, but can't find the source for, the MILW X3800 truck is from an Anaconda, MT streetcar.  And, yes, it was powered from an extension cord, with the only purpose being to move the big motors in and out of the Deer Lodge shops.  For a general-purpose locomotive it would have to be either battery or internal combustion powered.  Battery might not look any different, other than maybe a few vents for gases released during charging.

This switcher pictured has a motor truck from an FM C Liner. It's predecessor was made from a trolley car.

[prbharris]

To put some perspective on the size here's a shot with what has been long figured to be about the smallest thing available... And further, this is what I will say is my "medium profile" truck with smaller yet on the drawing board.  And that's also why I needed some home machining capability if I ever expect to see these developed in my limited lifetime.

Thank you for this development and for all of the updates. This is really exciting - working on some interurban cars, to have powered trucks like this will be fantastic. Great work! I hope that it is successful.

Peter

Peter Harris
N Scale Kits
www.nscalekits.com

[peteski]

You know narrowminded, every time your thread gets brought back up to the  top of the N scale forum and I glance ad the subject line I always think that you bought or made yourself several small 3D-printers and they are running, printing up  bunch of rapid-prototyped parts for you!  But what you are really discussing here is some prototype (and not even 3D-printed) model train vehicles or trucks you built and experimenting with. How's that for a  deceiving subject line?!  It is messing with my brain. 

[nkalanaga]

sd45elect2000:  Thank you!  I didn't realize that they had two versions.  The last time I was out there (2009) the X3800 was in Harlowton.

Then, if that truck is from an FM C-liner, it could also be used to power an N scale FM, which would add another possible market.

[narrowminded]

https://www.shapeways.com/product/QFKWTQAKF/cnsm-battery-loco-455-456?optionId=14304668

https://www.shapeways.com/product/X7EQNMB9B/cnsm-electric-loco-452?optionId=16319979

I need to motorize these little guys, Any chance ?

Randy Stahl

For sd45elect2000: I received that Shapeways body and their chassis and trucks.  Only have given it a glance but will get into it in the not too distant future, I hope.  It still seems like a candidate even if not for this exact one.  This and a few other bodies and kits I've picked up will give me some real world targets when laying out some different configurations and planning a general chassis approach.  It should make a neat model.