Got my little prototyping machines up and running.

[Lemosteam]

@narrowminded , yes, use farewell2016 at checkout.

Also, please consider two 1mm dia locator holes in the sides for folks who would want to design and mount truck frame overlays over the wheels.

Also, will there be a pivot hole(s) on the top?

Do you have a generic dimensional drawing available yet?  I have some ideas already....

[narrowminded]

@narrowminded , yes, use farewell2016 at checkout.

Also, please consider two 1mm dia locator holes in the sides for folks who would want to design and mount truck frame overlays over the wheels.

Also, will there be a pivot hole(s) on the top?

Do you have a generic dimensional drawing available yet?  I have some ideas already....

Thanks.

I don't have a drawing yet and will probably have various offerings for various applications.  There will be a pivot available and again, maybe more than one scheme.  In the PCC trolley application I've got an idea of how I'll be doing that and it will probably be one of the standard offerings and pretty adaptable to many applications.  It's still too early for a lot of the promises but the meat is there.  This is one of the reasons I haven't been posting much about my efforts.  Starts too much, too soon.

But it is not bad timing to get some of the ideas and desires out there.  Like wanting the 1mm location points.  I was figuring to offer something that way and maybe more than one point.  Would your interest in the 1mm point also be centered at wheel C/L and in both planes?  The desires and applications could be limitless and at some point where whole machined assemblies require changes to accomplish one particular application that may have to be left to the modeller for his creative ways.  One of the things I did think of using for this was a pin out both sides accomplished with a special screw that holds the halves together (if I even do that instead of just laminated halves, worked as one piece).  That could make that a relatively easily accomplished feature as a low to no cost option without redesigning the whole thing. 

Can you think of what wheelbases might be desirable?  And then wheel sizes to go with them?  Those are things I'm contemplating a little at this point. 

[narrowminded]

I'm impressed with all of it, but I REALLY like the powered mechanism.

Where can I find more info of what you did there.

I have 2 or 3 critters I need to make one day.

Thanks for the interest.  Over time there will be several variations so hopefully something would fit.  Do you have any specific models or even general dimensions in mind that would work?

[nkalanaga]

Mine units are the old Atlas/Kato fmodels, so I have a pile of frames from them.  For a production truck, it might be better to design it for a current mechanism.  Making the new trucks fit the existing mechanism would probably be easiest, especially if the existing wheels could be used, with new axles/gears.  The existing trucks are a metal split-frame design, but wipers on the underside of the mechanism would probably be easier for a conversion.

I don't know if it would be practical, not be a mechanical design engineer.  If you could come up with some way of doing it, for any similar, in production, model, it would make getting into Nn3 a lot easier for the average modeler. 

In my case, I have a bunch of old Atlas/Kato shells, and am using MT Z SD40-2 mechanisms.  Surprisingly, the truck centers are almost identical, and the truck wheelbase is very close to the original Atlas 2-axle trucks.

For a proper narrow gauge unit, the basic Alco RSD truck is fine, as all Alco did was to regauge it.  The RS-3 is a little longer, and has more horsepower, but is otherwise very similar to the WP&Y's DL535E, which in turn is a narrow gauge version of the standard gauge DL535, sold to Mexico.

So, my railroad supposedly bought used RS-3s in the early 60s, lowered the cabs, replaced the trucks, and put them to work.

[narrowminded]

Mine units are the old Atlas/Kato fmodels, so I have a pile of frames from them.  For a production truck, it might be better to design it for a current mechanism.  Making the new trucks fit the existing mechanism would probably be easiest, especially if the existing wheels could be used, with new axles/gears.  The existing trucks are a metal split-frame design, but wipers on the underside of the mechanism would probably be easier for a conversion.

I don't know if it would be practical, not be a mechanical design engineer.  If you could come up with some way of doing it, for any similar, in production, model, it would make getting into Nn3 a lot easier for the average modeler. 

In my case, I have a bunch of old Atlas/Kato shells, and am using MT Z SD40-2 mechanisms.  Surprisingly, the truck centers are almost identical, and the truck wheelbase is very close to the original Atlas 2-axle trucks.

For a proper narrow gauge unit, the basic Alco RSD truck is fine, as all Alco did was to regauge it.  The RS-3 is a little longer, and has more horsepower, but is otherwise very similar to the WP&Y's DL535E, which in turn is a narrow gauge version of the standard gauge DL535, sold to Mexico.

So, my railroad supposedly bought used RS-3s in the early 60s, lowered the cabs, replaced the trucks, and put them to work.

Hmmm.  I should sit down one day with the calipers and a few typical trucks and see what the dimensions really are.   From a galloping horse it all works with a little off here, a little more there, but in reality with mechanical devices, a few thousandths can be EVERYTHING.  There are some minimum dimensions that would be pretty typical by virtue of the common purpose with at least a few common dimensions. And because we are narrowing it, it might afford a pretty common box shape with a pretty common set of numbers that could accommodate a pretty standard "box" of working bits that could be produced in sufficient quantities to make them affordable.  Especially if the working bits were self contained, not trying to mate to worms that are sitting +/- .020" in height and with slightly different gears which translates to no, they won't match up OR there's another special, fairly involved machined part needed, driving costs to more than the hobbyist wants to spend.  Close isn't enough at this stage nor is "make it at any cost". 

[narrowminded]

Let me take a minute to thank ALL who have responded with kind words and great thoughts and suggestions.  It's really appreciated.   I've been messing with this for a while and thought it might be interesting to some.  Apparently it has been and that encourages me to keep going.

And to summarize the story a little and help folks understand what, where, and how, here you go.... This whole thing started as an effort to have a mine loco, no more.  I thought I'd purchase a power truck and knock something together.  That led to the discovery of just how small those things are and that there was nothing out there that would let me accomplish what I had in mind.  Some more thought, based on my design and build machinery experience, suggested that I could and should just make one.  ONE!  Well.... here we sit. 

As it came together it became evident that the same things that made it work might be able to be transferred to other applications.  That's when the PCC that I wanted but couldn't find anything with satisfactory performance or detail cropped up with this basic idea having the answers to the problems those had.  That's also when the first "close but not quite" situation surfaced and prompted squeezing another .05" out of the height and wishing for another .03".  And with the experience to this point I've worked that out and it helped with the mine loco too, making a DCC option really viable. (That's been done and tested.)  

Even though the PCC's worked out on paper and most key testing has been done, I still haven't made a complete running PCC chassis yet.  That's where I am now.  Various chassis' to put all of the finishing touches on and final test, a mine loco body(s) to finish, a PCC 8 wheel chassis to make and each of those with all of the accoutrements.  Lighting, interiors, DCC option, coal mine operator who really should have a light on his hardhat , etc, with all of the tooling for all of the little bits required to make it happen... if it's to be offered as a product.  It's easy to say, "You do this with that and that with this" but when you're the guy that has to do it, it means a LOT of hours and a LOT of work.  Or a LOT of money fed into a few rat holes in amounts that I could never spend nor ever recoup no matter how mad I got at my wallet.

I've got my work cut out and it's been fun doing it but I have to keep it that way.   I'm retired, you know.

[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

Just ordered one using the 20% promo code. (Thanks John, Lemosteam)  Their site says they can't motorize one, at least well, with existing chassis.  We'll see what we see.

I already have a variety of little switcher, PCC, and other shells, N and Z, to look at as typical potential applications.  I also have one of Randgust's Climax kits that I will be attempting to make a narrow gauge chassis for at some point.  He says that has also not been achieved with any existing stuff.  This will add another.  No promises but it gives me stuff to look at and some  idea of what will fit and what configurations I may want to offer.  Thanks for your interest.

[sd45elect2000]

I'm glad you are considering these, I pretty much gave up on them. I have a total of six of these little critters to motorize , I have the four steeplecabs and the two battery motors. I also have about 150 other interurban cars to motorize.

Doing some of the little interurban and street cars would be fantastic ! I would love some Cincinnati curveside cars !!

Randy

[narrowminded]

I'm glad you are considering these, I pretty much gave up on them. I have a total of six of these little critters to motorize , I have the four steeplecabs and the two battery motors. I also have about 150 other interurban cars to motorize.

Doing some of the little interurban and street cars would be fantastic ! I would love some Cincinnati curveside cars !!

Randy

What battery motors do you have?  I wasn't aware of any, at least in N or Nn3, and had only seen a few static models in layout pictures. 

[sd45elect2000]

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

These are the North Shore's battery/electric motors. They had two of them purchased in 1917. Numbers 455-456.

Randy

[narrowminded]

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

These are the North Shore's battery/electric motors. They had two of them purchased in 1917. Numbers 455-456.

Randy

Ah, I see.  That's the one I should have gotten.  But it will still be about the same for my purposes as the shell proportions and shape seem about the same.  When you said "battery" I was thinking you were referring to a battery mine loco.  All's good.

[narrowminded]

While we're at it Randy, is this a light work piece that could get away with four wheel drive or would it require eight?  Pickup would be eight wheels but drive could possibly be optional. 

I will be running just four wheel on my PCC and expect it to be OK as it only drives itself but I am just a little concerned about real tight radius turns possibly causing bad slowing.  And when I say tight I mean as little as 2 1/2" - 3" radius.  There are prototype scenarios that get down to around 2 3/4" and I want to leave some reserve for the tight street corners that might be needed on a layout.  It is those extremes that have me just a little concerned with just four wheel drive and is one of the things I will be testing.

[sd45elect2000]

These are locomotives for pulling freight cars. Usually they were capable of pulling 10-12 cars but the North Shore used them as MU locomotives and ran them in sets of three to pull 30 cars or so.

These didn't usually run on street curves on the North Shore but perhaps they did elsewhere.

I guess in a perfect world they would be 8 wheel drive. The little GE steeplacabs like you ordered will be a challenge !! In the end they would be remarkable little machines.

Randy

[narrowminded]

These are locomotives for pulling freight cars. Usually they were capable of pulling 10-12 cars but the North Shore used them as MU locomotives and ran them in sets of three to pull 30 cars or so.

These didn't usually run on street curves on the North Shore but perhaps they did elsewhere.

I guess in a perfect world they would be 8 wheel drive. The little GE steeplacabs like you ordered will be a challenge !! In the end they would be remarkable little machines.

Randy

Sight unseen, if I can do four wheels I can do eight.  Although, running in multiples one truck each may do it so they are each self powered.  Or maybe eight wheels on one or two and a dummy.  Also, if this works at all there will be plenty of room for added weight for traction.  At least I think so.

[thomasjmdavis]

In the PCC trolley application...

That might also make it ideal for the Chicago el car (6200s, IIRC) resin bodies I have around here somewhere.  A Tomix chassis can be wedged in, but I would think your tiny drive might be the ideal answer, and with a little effort on my part, could get the exact truck centers and preserve at least part of the interior and underbody details.