Excellent work, Gerd! Yep, the long hood is too wide due to the motor. Until recently, I thought the 7mm internal width was as thin as I could go. Then I discovered Mabuchi K30 motor. It is 6mm in one direction, has equal power and it's readily available. Or it WAS available. Orders from China are becoming difficult. One of my orders was canceled by the seller. Things are getting serious around the world... Anyway, the future looks good for Z with this motor when things get back to normal.
I could live with the difference for lack of a later phase S4 in Z. I also wouldn't hesitate to say that it's closer to a S4 than my MTL SD40-2 in CP paint is to a proper GMD SD40-2... However, given this is a Shapeways shell, the drawing for the S2 shell could theoretically be used as a starting point for a S4, S1, S3, etc in the future that accounts for any differences from a S2... Sent from my LM-X410(FG) using Tapatalk
I still vote for an RS-11 shell that uses the guts of the inexpensive AZL GP38-2 or a USRA 0-6-0 that uses the inexpensive Marklin 0-6-0 guts. hint hint.
GP38-2 has 34' distance between truck centers, RS11 has 31'. AZL GP7/GP9 chassis would be a better match. Maybe you NP fans could use a U25C instead? Depending on the wheelbase of the Rokuhan shorty powered trucks, maybe two powered trucks from two shorties could be used for two innermost axles of the Trimount trucks with spare wheelsets salvaged from the two non-powered trucks covering the outermost axles? Frame would be analogous to the SW1500 chassis that uses two powered trucks and a new dual shaft motor...unless there's enough room to fit the two single-shaft motors... Thoughts? Sent from my LM-X410(FG) using Tapatalk View attachment 214439
On the RS11, I was thinking of just using the trucks and motor to space them correctly at 31' truck centers, with the shell and frame being much like the SW1500. I don't have much confidence in that thin tiny gear atop the shorty as being robust enough to survive pulling even a 20 car train. 3 loops and the teeth could be worn and skipping. That gear's teeth are somewhat pointy and only about .020" wide at it's widest point. And oh yes, I would so much love to have a U25C, U28C, and U33C in NP. Alas... I have resolve to never purchase another locomotive that the NP did not have.
As much as I would love to make one, the placement of Marklin's BR89 motor won't allow a USRA 0-6-0 shell to fit. Maybe the motor can be replaced or it's position can be modified. It's worth an attempt at least. I'm still studying the Marklin BR89 for all possibilities.
Does anyone have a Rokuhan 2-6-4? It looks like it could be a decent candidate for a 2-6-0 conversion, but it kind of depends on how far back the motor is into the coal bunker. That bunker would have to go an then the motor would potentially be sticking out the back.
Sure makes it easier to keep hobby spending within the budget! I do the same, for my chosen era and prototype.
Finally after 2 and a halve month patiently waiting, my S2 arrived from Shapeways. Shortly after I ordered it they postponed production of metal parts... but now the fun can start.