MOW: Heavy Duty Hydraulic Service Truck

[Mark W]

Ok, let's get this party started!  On the left, we have the main goal: Motorize the Hydraulic Service Truck with the Zshorty chassis for N Scale running.
On the right, a bonus challenge of fitting the T Gauge chassis inside an Atlas F-150.  I'll have to really think on that one to get things working, so we'll start with the bigger truck.

[nscaler711]

Now once you get it done send the plans to Bmann so we can get some Hirails!! 
Seriously curious about this thread... I had ideas myself but could never get things to run right... Had small enough motors but they would stall out under load... (Don't buy toys for model use  )

[Mark W]

Well first things first, let's dissect that ZShorty and see what it takes to get it running on N Scale track.


https://i.imgur.com/tDCiSY9.jpg

Pop a few tabs on the hood, remove a screw, and a pin, and we have this.  I should say earlier I took it for a few laps on a test track and while motor control is very sensitive, it is capable of some nice and smooth slow speed running.  Looking at how easily everything comes apart and how simple the design is, this thing has a ton of potential for critter kit-bashing! (In fact, the Z guys over at Trainboard have done some incredible stuff with it already!)

https://i.imgur.com/kvlUTNC.jpg

To make things even better, let's walk through this one. 
Theres the original geared axle with Z Scale wheels on the left.  At first I thought I'd sacrifice two FVM wheelsets to extend the axle and give me N scale sized wheels.  But you can see, center picture, the difference in axle size would need to be addressed in order to fit the FVM wheel in the geared tube.  Possible, but I just happened to glance over at my parts bin and find an old Kato Chassis.  Wouldn't ya know, the axle on those wheels are identical to the Z Scale wheels.   Far right is the Kato wheel in the Kato axle tube, next to that is the Kato wheel in the ZShorty axle tube.  Perfect!
I should get a shot of the ZShorty next to the Kato chassis later.

https://i.imgur.com/4v7gF8v.jpg

So here we are with the ZShorty geared truck on N Scale track.  It doesn't work with the side frames and pickups, obviously.  But we won't need the side frames anyway, so let's work on the pickups.

https://i.imgur.com/u5G3kCe.jpg

Again, pretty simple.  I cut the top tab off, flattened the whole thing, drilled out the axle cups and drilled a new hole to hold the top gear shaft.

https://i.imgur.com/Ani3O6b.jpg

So here it is.  Super small N Scale Power truck.  I didn't measure exactly, but eye-balling it the wheelbase is about 2mm less, and the gear tower is about 3mm shorter than a bare Kato power chassis truck. 

https://i.imgur.com/zP3Eb7r.jpg

Now let's see how to fit this in the Showcase Miniatures truck.   

[Mark W]

As promised, here are a few comparison shots between the ZShorty and the Kato Power Chassis.

We already know how easy it is to swap the wheels, so since I only have one pair set for the Kato Chassis, I left each with their originals.

https://i.imgur.com/T66ocRU.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/o3FHGPr.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/ihLe3k3.jpg

Ok, now for the fun stuff.  I toyed with a few options on how to orient the motor and geared truck.  I planned to use big space in the cab to conceal the motor/drive mech, but that would mean the double axle truck would sit in the front.  I could conceal one axle as the front wheels, but the other would be way out of scale for the leading rail guide wheels.  So, I'm basically forced to put the double axles right where they would actually go.  Now the question is how to attach the geared truck to the frame.

https://i.imgur.com/lf9tRMA.jpg

I got a little ahead of myself, so here is the actual frame, already shaped to fit inside the styrene sleeveie thing (That's now the technical term for it).

https://i.imgur.com/X79iBZI.jpg

You can see above, I carved out the front axle and a little dab of kapton tape to isolate the temporary front wheels.

https://i.imgur.com/Szjhvnw.jpg

So here it is so far, free rolling and ready for a motor.

https://i.imgur.com/Szjhvnw.jpg

[Kentuckian]

Love it! Where’s the decoder going to go?

[Mark W]

Love it! Where’s the decoder going to go?

Lokpilot Nano will be painted black and act as the back rest on the bench seat inside the cab. 

[nscaler711]

It's been a minute...  What's the word?

[nscaler711]

Mark I don't know if you are on Facebook, but something similar popped up in this group...

https://m.facebook.com/groups/6025827487?view=permalink&id=10156269310847488

[narrowminded]

Very cool!

[Mark W]

Mark I don't know if you are on Facebook, but something similar popped up in this group...

https://m.facebook.com/groups/6025827487?view=permalink&id=10156269310847488

Yeah, I found a few videos of those on YouTube while researching the project.  I'm not sure how he's powering that rig, but it definitely sets the bar for me!

A quick update on my build.  I've temporarily wired up a decoder and took it for a spin on the layout.  It made it about 1 and a half inches before stopping and shorting the rails.  I can wiggle it and get power to flicker back, so I have to troubleshoot where the short is coming from before moving on.  I have a few hunches, mostly result of being a metal kit, so I'll likely have to bore out the wheel wells a little more.

[Mark W]

Here's the test run on DC. (my take a few seconds to load)


https://i.imgur.com/epeM32p.gif

[peteski]

Repeating what I posted about this in the Weekend Update thread:
A big thumbs-up from me! Well done!  I like the way you cleverly created a hybrid powered truck using N and Z scale parts.

[Mark W]

Thanks Pete. 

I got real lucky the key parts from each chassis are so easily interchangeable.  I'd also bet that Gizmoszone 1:5.14 gearhead motor can be easily adapted for the ZShorty, which would really open the doors for critter kitbashing. 

Surprisingly, I don't recall seeing any other discussion on the Z Shorty and possibilities here on TRW.  Might have to share how to convert it to N over in the N & Z Forum for more exposure on the product.   

[peteski]

Surprisingly, I don't recall seeing any other discussion on the Z Shorty and possibilities here on TRW.  Might have to share how to convert it to N over in the N & Z Forum for more exposure on the product.

Good idea. I wonder if this short-wheelbase truck would be useful for N scale Shays.

[DKS]

I wonder if this short-wheelbase truck would be useful for N scale Shays.

My thoughts exactly.