I've been very quiet these past six months. It took me a long while to work out all the bugs for my new 70 Tonner project. I added some unusual features to this one. I even designed my own z scale coupler for this project. Unlike the 44 Tonner, this one has plastic swinging couplers instead of static couplers integrated into the shell. They perform surprisingly good. I also switched from the Rokuhan metal worm gear to a plastic one. It runs the loco nice and smooth without chewing up the powered truck's main gear. The best part is there is no need for a gear puller. The biggest change from my previous designs is the etched metal long hood details. All the access doors are a single piece of etched metal that is glued to the side of the shell. It cleans up that "3D printed look". Visit the links in my signature for more details on the design process.
The couplers are made from Shapeways SLS printing process. They are strong yet flexible enough to work with all other z-scale commercial couplers. The only drawback is that they need to be painted. The good thing is that this material bonds acrylic paint really well.
Rudy, Some of the smaller early industrial locomotives (steam, gasoline, electric) ran on smaller wheels, 18-30 inch. Do you know of any sources for smaller wheels in Z? The smallest wheel I know of in Z is 33 inch, and then there is T scale which comes to 18 inches in Z. Scott
Wow, Rudy-that is a work of art! I could see this on a shelf switching layout, running about, industry to industry! There's a couple of these still running around the industrial areas of Seattle here, mostly near Harbor Island, in a couple scrap yards.
Very nice achievement ! I guess its mechanical and electrical components come from Rokuhan Shorties ? Dom
Hi! The trucks are the only thing from the Rokuhan Shorty. The 12 volt motor is from Tramfabriek. The main gear and electrical pickups are imported by me.