The Rail Grinding Train Thread

[fcnrwy23]

Jerry, I'm not familiar with the SBS pickup wipers but I don't see why they can't be tweaked to add almost no resistance to the rolling qualities of the trucks. Do those wipers rub against the axle, back of the wheel, wheel tread, or the edge of the flange?

The wipers are "Axle", If I misspoke earlier.   They come in a etched group of 12.   I soldered DCC wire to them while they were still in their spure .  I then, had drilled a hole through the Microtrains bolster pin.  And the wire was then fed up into the car body.



SBS4 offers two types.   A "KP" and a "4-40", the piece is the same design, but the mount opening (hole dia.) is different.   The KP is kadee pin.  The 4-40 is a plastic #40 screw (drill a new mounting hole for the truck) that is used to re-mount the truck.

Jerry G.

[peteski]

The wipers are "Axle", If I misspoke earlier.   They come in a etched group of 12.   I soldered DCC wire to them while they were still in their spure .  I then, had drilled a hole through the Microtrains bolster pin.  And the wire was then fed up into the car body.

SBS4 offers two types.   A "KP" and a "4-40", the piece is the same design, but the mount opening (hole dia.) is different.   The KP is kadee pin.  The 4-40 is a plastic #40 screw (drill a new mounting hole for the truck) that is used to re-mount the truck.

Jerry G.

Ok, this type of wiper should be fairly low-friction.  How thick is the wiper material?  I hope that it is not any thicker than 0.005" (hopefully even thinner).  But in any case, you should be able to massage the shape of the wipers to just barely contact the axle. Probably best done with the wheel sets removed. If the wipers are too stiff, make them narrower (either by cutting or grinding them down).  Narrower wipers will be more flexible.

[fcnrwy23]

Ok, this type of wiper should be fairly low-friction.  How thick is the wiper material?  I hope that it is not any thicker than 0.005" (hopefully even thinner).  But in any case, you should be able to massage the shape of the wipers to just barely contact the axle. Probably best done with the wheel sets removed. If the wipers are too stiff, make them narrower (either by cutting or grinding them down).  Narrower wipers will be more flexible.

I don't have a micrometer on me.  But, I do know that this material is thicker than, say an Atlas contact strip.  Found on most of their locomotives.
I will give the wipers a little, tweaking.  And see what I get.


Jerry G.

[Erik aka Ngineer]

Wow, this is an awesome idea! I bet your friends all love to have this train come over on their layouts. This really looks hot (pun intended)!

[fcnrwy23]

Wow, this is an awesome idea! I bet your friends all love to have this train come over on their layouts. This really looks hot (pun intended)!

That is in the works.   But, I still have to "Beta" test this thing.

Jerry G.

[fcnrwy23]

Well, with the current problem of "Drag", from the axle wipers.   I decided to temporarily take care of that with the addition of some extra muscle.
For me, that meant going back to the parts box.   I dug up a spare B36-7 and gave it a quick dip in my Morency Orange.



When I do, fix the drag problem.   I can always use this locomotive to pull some of my other, Non-powered, MOW equipment. 

Darn ! I already "Dinged" the paint job!!    (paint chip on the bottom of one of the handrail supports)

Jerry G.

[fcnrwy23]

August 28th, 2016

This has been a very productive weekend, for work on the RGT.
I have figured out a way to simulate the "Water Monitors", located on the Control Cars for fire suppression.  I worked some .020 brass wire stock, into some form of the apparatus.


I will need to paint the nozzle ends, Black and the main bodies, White.   With the top ends remaining Red.

On the electrical side,
I have found that "loosing up" the Axle wipers, only causes the lights to flash and sputter.  So, it has become very apparent that a 2nd power unit (loco) will be permanently needed to power the train. 

I kind of figured I would have had to do this anyway, If I want the RGT to actually function.  As in "Cleaning Track".   As this, was one of the points in building this thing in the first place.    I had made provisions for the train to do just that.  Both, of the Grinder Cars where to have the ability.  But, with the way the lighting scheme turned out, only the Front Control Car will have this ability.
I have placed on order a few different types of Track Cleaning pads or blocks.  I hope to see what I can "MacGyver" into place.




Because of this train growing to eight cars.  I have ordered a Kato-brand 8-spot book-style storage case from a online source.


This is one of my spare 6-spot cases.

Once, the case gets here, I will be able to "Safety" transport the Train. 

Jerry G.

[Philip H]

Hey Jerry, here are some Porto photos I shot this week - I'd say you got it pretty spot on:

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[fcnrwy23]

Hey Jerry, here are some Porto photos I shot this week - I'd say you got it pretty spot on:

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Hey Nice shots!!

How many cars on this Loram train ??

Jerry G

[Philip H]

11 total - they had to split the train to clear a grade crossing.  There's no place to really get the whole thing - and its moved on to its next assignment.

[fcnrwy23]

September 3, 2016

The long awaited, storage/transportation bookcase arrived!  Yesterday!! 

It took me about a hour and a half this morning to carefully, trim the inserts to fit each piece of equipment...





..But I think it turned out OK!!  We are NOW.. MOBILE!!!

I have look at sound decoders.  And there are two from Digitrax, that might work.  The SFX0416 has too large a speaker (28mm) to fit the body of the Grinder cars.  So, it would have to be replaced.
I would also have to buy, their decoder "programing device" to do any special sound projects....

Jerry G.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Have you thought about trying a keep alive for the lighting? They're all the rage these days, and might solve your drag issue.

[up1950s]

Kato just may find this too attractive to pass up , at least I hope so .

[Santa Fe Guy]

Very neat. Looks like it was all made in the Kato factory.
Rod.

[fcnrwy23]

Ed Kapuscinski -  I have heard about them.  I will have to take a look.
up1950s -  Would be neat.  But, the price might be too much for a profitable venture for Kato.


As I had posted before, the decision for the addition of a "2nd power car" was made final, because of a number of factors.
Electrical contact being one of them.  Another is the addition of a "Bright-boy" type of track cleaner.   

The construction of this 2nd car, has gone pretty well...
Here is the car during 'Test fitting" of the major components. (body & chassis).



A closer look at the major components.



I now need to "sand" the detailing off the side of the  Mech. Reefer body.  Once, this is done.  I can cement the body, permanently to the BXX-7 sill/walkway.  Then, prime and paint.

Jerry G.