Questions re a hypothetical project....?

[Zerogee]

OK, thoughts, opinions and ideas wanted for a hypothetical project please.....

If you were going to try to build a semi-scale (G of course) approximation of a Darjeeling B class 0-4-0 for electric track power, where would you start? Given the wonderfully unusual look of the prototype, the relatively long wheelbase for a 0-4-0 and the quite distinctive valve gear and motion, what kind of commercially available chassis and running gear would come anywhere close? Anyone here already done it themselves, or got any good images of others' attempts in model form, preferably in G, as inspiration? I'm not thinking of a perfect-to-the-last-rivet scale model, but something that would happily run on a Rule 8 line while capturing the overall "feel" of the prototype......

Over to you, chaps!

Jon.

 

[Neil Robinson]

How about a Roundhouse chassis minus the cylinders? I imagine fully functioning live steam cylinders would be an unnecessary expense for an electric model.

http://www.roundhouse-eng.com/

 

[Zerogee]

How about a Roundhouse chassis minus the cylinders? I imagine fully functioning live steam cylinders would be an unnecessary expense for an electric model.

http://www.roundhouse-eng.com/

Quite an expensive route, I'd think, Neil - I was thinking more along the lines of a commercial G scale chassis (LGB or whatever) that might be made to look "close enough" with a scratchbuilt body on top.......
Even a Stainz chassis would probably do if you squint hard enough, though the wheelbase is a bit short. I've been thinking of maybe a U class power unit with the middle set of wheels removed, the cylinder style looks rather similar?
Any other ideas welcome...

Jon.

 

[g-bits]

OK, thoughts, opinions and ideas wanted for a hypothetical project please.....

If you were going to try to build a semi-scale (G of course) approximation of a Darjeeling B class 0-4-0 for electric track power, where would you start? Given the wonderfully unusual look of the prototype, the relatively long wheelbase for a 0-4-0 and the quite distinctive valve gear and motion, what kind of commercially available chassis and running gear would come anywhere close? Anyone here already done it themselves, or got any good images of others' attempts in model form, preferably in G, as inspiration? I'm not thinking of a perfect-to-the-last-rivet scale model, but something that would happily run on a Rule 8 line while capturing the overall "feel" of the prototype......

Over to you, chaps!

Jon.

What scale are you looking to work in? These are pretty small 2ft gauge locos, built to a more or less ffestiniog size loading gauge. Even in 16mm/ft the loco would be barely 4in wide and 5.5in tall. In G (1/22.5, 13.5mm/ft) it'd only be 3.5in wide and 4.5 in tall. IIRC, they have 2ft wheels at 5'6" spacing - nothing is quite right in any scale, but I can think of nothing readily available that shares the B's outside frames. Unless you're happy to build an inside framed version, the real work is going to be adding the frames, outside cranks, rods, gear, etc, etc. to the chosen block

Jonathan
RDE

 

[Zerogee]

Start with the book Iron Sherpa VOL 2.
All details/scale drawings of everything they own is in the book.

That would be nice, Ross, if copies of Vol.2 weren't impossible to get.....

Jon.

 

[themole]

LGB HF130 Diesel, remove the centre wheel sets and fit new brass connecting rods. This chassis has whizzy cranks, so half the battle. The chassis can be moddified with Mr. Dremel. Alyn

 

[Glengrant]

Well of course to simplify matters you could always make it one of the streamlined versions. OK OK I'll shut up, I never said nuffink

 

[themole]

As I said in post 7, it would be possible to use a LGB HF130 chassis. Alyn

 

[Zerogee]

Thanks for the ideas, all - if and when I ever find the time to actually do something, it'll give me something to work on. The HF130 chassis idea is a good one, Alyn, though possibly hard to find one cheap enough to cut up with a clear(ish) conscience. That's why I was thinking more Stainz or U-class, as both can be picked up in tatty enough condition that you don't mind using them as chassis donors!
Jonathan (RDE) - thanks for the size notes, as I said originally I'd only be looking at doing a semi-scale model that had the overall look and feel of the DHR locos, and size-wise I'd most likely apply a VERY bendy rubber ruler and simply size it to look "right" on 45mm track and with typical G scale (eg: LGB) rolling stock..... Rule 8 rules, OK?

Jon.

Edit: further thoughts.... maybe a slightly shortened and "dumpy" caricature of the B class, still capturing it's essential feel, using an LGB Porter as donor for both running chassis and the saddle tank....?

 

[Neil Robinson]

Edit: further thoughts.... maybe a slightly shortened and "dumpy" caricature of the B class, still capturing it's essential feel, using an LGB Porter as donor for both running chassis and the saddle tank....?

An A class?

 

[Zerogee]

Edit: further thoughts.... maybe a slightly shortened and "dumpy" caricature of the B class, still capturing it's essential feel, using an LGB Porter as donor for both running chassis and the saddle tank....?

An A class?

Sorry Neil - is there such a thing, or was that a joke...? &:

Jon.

Edit, ah, so it DOES exist! I'd never really noticed anything but the iconic B class.....

 

[PaulRhB]

If you need drawings just pm me
I've seen a nice one built on a Stainz chassis and if you choose the smaller A class tank then the Stainz or Otto chassis would work ok if you can forgive the inside frames. The A class is basically a shorter B with a saddlletank about half the length. I've half built one in O16.5 and got an Otto chassis to do the same in G one day.

 

[Zerogee]

Serendipity strikes again, as the Third Doctor would have said (ahhh, the Katy Manning era..... sorry, I digress, must remember to take the medication on time!) - after thinking about the discussions here, I take an idle look at German eBay (always dangerous) and what is the top of the list under LGB steam locos? A "Rusty" Porter, with about 20 minutes to go and no bids on it. Put in a quick bid, got it for the starting price of about 40 quid.... OK, plus 13 quid carriage, but a lot of UK eBay sellers will charge you that to send a loco these days. When it gets here, I'll see how I can best start cutting it up and rearranging bits..... I may end up with some Chimeric beastie that's halfway between an A and a B, but as long as it captures the right feeling I'll be happy with that.

Jon.