Hi all, I was looking a while for a small layout concept with transfer activity done by so called "Rollwagen" or "Rollbock". Recently I fell in love with Nm-scale rolling stock made by a new company "lemiso" (https://www.lemiso.de/de/Spur-N--1-160-/Schmalspur-Nm/). Now it seems I can do this layout even in N scale together with some scenes from my favorite narrow gauge network in the Harz mountains. I ordered a set of idler cars and trucks for the "Rollbock"-technology plus transfer ramp just for testing purpose. And yes, I can load / unload standard gauge cars on these trucks automatically! Ok, now I was looking for a low budget locomotive. The little "Südharzeisenbahn" SHE, which ran between Walkenried and Braunlage in South-Harz mountains used some kind of RDCs even to run its freights, take a look here: https://www.kleinbahn-museum.de/bildarchiv/index.php?/tags/203-sudharzeisenbahn#content For my own RR I wanted to do a freelance model. Piko has a nice RDC trailer car VB 98. I found it could be converted to narrow gauge: From my Z scale layout I have 2 GP 7s. So I combined Piko shell and AZL chassis and have now a nice running RDC. The chassis is not lost for Z scale, I still can reassemble my Geep . Because of longer coupler shafts I adapted 2 spare AZL-trucks with MTL-couplers and removed the original trucks for storing. Painting and decals are still to be done. Beside this I found shell and ballast for the "Brockenlok"-steamer class 99.72 at shapeways: https://www.shapeways.com/product/U...99-247-1-160?optionId=62817321&li=marketplace https://www.shapeways.com/product/MY3MRKMA2/harzlok-weight?optionId=64516285&li=marketplace You can power the model by a Märklin class 42.90/50/52 or 85 chassis. I replaced the original motor with an already existing mini-can motor. Currently I am making new cylinders using the reworked Märklin original part as a base and reworked Fleischmann class 81-cylinders as a "shell":
Looks good Steffen! I saw a video awhile back that someone was doing this in HOe I think. That's a neat concept.
Thank you very much. Sometimes it seems to me I have the most fun by combining already existing material into something new. This picture shows what I try to model: switching standard gauge freight cars on narrow gauge by Rollbock operation: Nordhausen 1984 https://www.drehscheibe-online.de/foren/read.php?017,8710889,8710890#msg-8710890 You can see an idler car at front of train for coupling purpose. Each standard gauge axle is supported by a narrow gauge truck. Rollbock operation in Wernigerode (the other end of line) used two idler cars at each end of train because of run-around movements. Another system uses flat narrow gauge transporter cars: Drei Annen Hohne 1988 https://www.drehscheibe-online.de/foren/read.php?017,8708793,8708796#msg-8708796 Both systems were common on Harz lines as well as on other narrow gauge lines in middle europe. But it is interesting for me to know of only one example outside continental europe using transporter cars, the Leek and Manifold Railway in UK: As for american narrow gauge lines I know only of transferring freight by man power/crane or changing trucks like on the EBT.
>>As for american narrow gauge lines I know only of transferring freight by man power/crane or changing trucks like on the EBT. Yeah, that was pretty much it. Not sure how it worked in the very early days of railroading. But probably alot of transfers.
Hi all, after assembling the right cylinder and running gear she is making her first steps for break-in in a strange setting on my Arkansas & Western: The next step is to mount leading and trailing axles with MTL couplings and in the most correct position possible, as these parts are very close to cylinders and tool boxes, respectively.
Frames for leading / trailing axles are from Shapeways https://www.shapeways.com/product/V4M676FWX/laufachsgestelle-br-99-23-24?optionId=242905330&li=shops. I had to rework coupler box and MTL coupler a bit, now coupler fits in. Overall look is quite good, loco is standing on radius 220 track. So I hope I can model the short wheel base of prototype.
Hi all, yesterday I could complete the chassis with pilot and trailing axle. And she has a nice short wheel base while still running through R220. I had to cut back front end and rear plate of the frame for free coupler movement. Here she makes her first steps with a train, pushing cars for test purpose through some switches. Idler car is quite a lightweight, but I can push up to 3 standard gauge cars. Now it's time for detailling!
Hi Art, I would like to be some steps further on. But because I had to redirect my spare time for some garden projects my modeling activities came to a stop the last weeks. Hope to continue in December... Before painting I try to add the prominent gear frame for expansion link support.
Now some little progress... I finished the RH gear frame made of brass stripe pieces. I am pleased with this, looks better than a black hole at this area.
Some steps further on with detailing. On the engineer's side there is some piping of air brake. I made this from brass wire d=0.3 mm. The parts are glued on 2 stripes of paper. On the fireman's side the prototype has a thicker and prominent pipe for getting the water from tank to feedwater pump at front of the machine. Tis pipe is 0.5mm brass wire. The third front light at top of smoke box is broken away (I did expect this mishape...) Made a replacement from 1.5 mm plastic, held in smoke box by 0.3 wire. Now it will be hopefully less sensitive. Finally I added the big counterweights on driver wheels made from little pieces of paper, what improves the heavy look of this engine very much.
I did a small test setup to check functions of transfer operation: And yeah, I am quite pleased. It is a smooth operation and really great to see cars are switching from broad gauge to narrow gauge and back, done only by movements of both locomotives and a coupler stick. Here are 2 short clips on youtube, hope you enjoy it: From broad gauge to narrow gauge From narrow gauge to broad gauge
While preparing the shell with primer the front pilot broke away. That was the moment where I wanted to throw the whole thing in trash... I had to learn that 3D-parts are very fragile.... I fixed it with a support under smoke box, it was a fiddly repair. Now it is slowly becoming a hard working steam locomotive. I am in the weathering process and will highlight some parts with paint powder.
Steffen, I just found your thread, fantastic work! I like the combination of 3D, kitbashing, and handmade parts. Your working transfer operation is impressive. I miss your Z scale work. Scott
Hi Scott, nice to read from you Yes, Z scale was a very fine experience, but it was time for something new too. And this locomotive is an important thing of my childhood. Every holiday in Harz mountains meant looking at an d riding with these very impressive engines. Since now it is possible to model this in N scale I really had to do so.
Hi all, after a year of doing other things it's time now to go on with this one. Recently I added nice number plates, grab irons on the back lights and signs on the tanks. Final steps are decodering and some crew members on the footplate.