whatlep
Registered
This is the tale of a little loco which wandered far from home, but returned to a hero's welcome. Feeling warm, relaxed and perhaps a little soft focus about the edges? Good: then I'll begin.
A long time ago in a place far away (2002 in Oldham, Lancashire) I spotted a small diesel at Arcadia models that was not only affordable, but damned attractive too. Specifically, an LGB 23600 Schoema. Even better, it was one of the first fruits of LGB's announcement that year that new production items would be fitted as standard with MTS/DCC chips. Ah, happy days! The loco's only faults were lack of weight (a mere 1500 grams) and the usual pickup problems from a short wheelbase chassis. However, I liked my new loco so much that I returned to Arcadia and bought a second example. The Schoemas were always worked as a pair, with a connecting power cable. In a fit of very untypical "devil may care" spending, I also bought replacement black handrails to improve their appearance. So the Schoemas gave sterling service until the dreadful day that Ruritanian Railways (Mark 1) was dismantled for a house move. The Schoemas had the honour of hauling the final electrically powered train around what remained of the line.
Now that first line was pretty much flat, but the new one was very different. The little Schoemas battled valiantly with Pootank Pass, but found 1 in 20 just a bit too much. Too light and perhaps just not grand enough for the Principality now that Mallet power was the standard. The diesels were used less and less. Finally, in September 2009 there was a load testing session to determine motive power policy for Ruritania. The Schoemas came bottom of the pile and were advertised for sale. Off they went to the furthest bounds of the known world, or County Durham as it's sometimes called, doing sterling service for GSCer 55.5 (Roly).
This should have been the end of the story, but for some remarkable events. Following rumours of a new form of witchcraft known as "battery power", in March 2011 Ruritania acquired another Schoema to act as a test bed. The full story is in posts here: http://www.gscalecentral.net/m110748 but suffice it to say that with extra weight on board, the new Schoema showed what fantastic potential this type of loco had. On the other hand, the new Schoema was from a starter set and rather brash in looks compared to the svelte red ones I'd enjoyed previously. What a fool I'd been to sell them!
By the merest chance, in late August I saw a throwaway comment on GSC from 55.5. He was minded to sell a Schoema! A few PMs established that the loco was indeed my old red friend and agreed a price. Even better, I found a buyer happy to take the orange Schoema once I'd changed it back to track power. Cool! So, to a royal fanfare, one of my Schoemas returned home.
This time there would be no questions about performance and pickup. The red Schoema would benefit from lessons learned via GSM and GSC and my own battery experiments. It would be battery powered and weighted and the battery would be installed in the loco itself rather than in a trail car. Installation is under the Schoema's long-hood using one of the Chinese Li-ion batteries and a Cliff Barker receiver/controller. The following pictures show that there is just room for the assembly, providing that part of the control desk is cut away to allow space for the battery's protruding leads. Note the charging socket available in the cab, avoiding the need for any holes in the chassis.
As before, weight has been added in the cab and the rear hood. "Mighty Mouse 2" now weighs in at 2350 grams. The battery and speed controller themselves add 250 grams under the front hood and there is still some space for more should it be needed. That seems unlikely, since on test the new/old Schoema can easily haul seven hoppers up Pootank Pass. Excellent!
To end this tale I'd like to thank 55.5 (Roly) for looking after the Schoema for the past 2 years and allowing me to repurchase it. You're a gent, sir!
A long time ago in a place far away (2002 in Oldham, Lancashire) I spotted a small diesel at Arcadia models that was not only affordable, but damned attractive too. Specifically, an LGB 23600 Schoema. Even better, it was one of the first fruits of LGB's announcement that year that new production items would be fitted as standard with MTS/DCC chips. Ah, happy days! The loco's only faults were lack of weight (a mere 1500 grams) and the usual pickup problems from a short wheelbase chassis. However, I liked my new loco so much that I returned to Arcadia and bought a second example. The Schoemas were always worked as a pair, with a connecting power cable. In a fit of very untypical "devil may care" spending, I also bought replacement black handrails to improve their appearance. So the Schoemas gave sterling service until the dreadful day that Ruritanian Railways (Mark 1) was dismantled for a house move. The Schoemas had the honour of hauling the final electrically powered train around what remained of the line.
Now that first line was pretty much flat, but the new one was very different. The little Schoemas battled valiantly with Pootank Pass, but found 1 in 20 just a bit too much. Too light and perhaps just not grand enough for the Principality now that Mallet power was the standard. The diesels were used less and less. Finally, in September 2009 there was a load testing session to determine motive power policy for Ruritania. The Schoemas came bottom of the pile and were advertised for sale. Off they went to the furthest bounds of the known world, or County Durham as it's sometimes called, doing sterling service for GSCer 55.5 (Roly).
This should have been the end of the story, but for some remarkable events. Following rumours of a new form of witchcraft known as "battery power", in March 2011 Ruritania acquired another Schoema to act as a test bed. The full story is in posts here: http://www.gscalecentral.net/m110748 but suffice it to say that with extra weight on board, the new Schoema showed what fantastic potential this type of loco had. On the other hand, the new Schoema was from a starter set and rather brash in looks compared to the svelte red ones I'd enjoyed previously. What a fool I'd been to sell them!
By the merest chance, in late August I saw a throwaway comment on GSC from 55.5. He was minded to sell a Schoema! A few PMs established that the loco was indeed my old red friend and agreed a price. Even better, I found a buyer happy to take the orange Schoema once I'd changed it back to track power. Cool! So, to a royal fanfare, one of my Schoemas returned home.
This time there would be no questions about performance and pickup. The red Schoema would benefit from lessons learned via GSM and GSC and my own battery experiments. It would be battery powered and weighted and the battery would be installed in the loco itself rather than in a trail car. Installation is under the Schoema's long-hood using one of the Chinese Li-ion batteries and a Cliff Barker receiver/controller. The following pictures show that there is just room for the assembly, providing that part of the control desk is cut away to allow space for the battery's protruding leads. Note the charging socket available in the cab, avoiding the need for any holes in the chassis.
As before, weight has been added in the cab and the rear hood. "Mighty Mouse 2" now weighs in at 2350 grams. The battery and speed controller themselves add 250 grams under the front hood and there is still some space for more should it be needed. That seems unlikely, since on test the new/old Schoema can easily haul seven hoppers up Pootank Pass. Excellent!
To end this tale I'd like to thank 55.5 (Roly) for looking after the Schoema for the past 2 years and allowing me to repurchase it. You're a gent, sir!
For non-German speakers, it means: "Living Room Floor Carpet Oval Railway"! Brilliant! 