Showing category "Locomotives" (Show all posts)

Lister Railtruck Plans

Posted by Rupert Connor on Wednesday, September 13, 2017, In : Locomotives 
Earlier in the year we acquired a non running Lister D stationary engine. After cleaning it up, adjusting the timing, tensioning the timing chain, fitting a new condensor, replacing the head gasket, de-gunging the petrol tank and making a few cardboard gaskets we got it running with a satisfying chug. The intention is to use this engine as the power unit for a roughly two thirds scale representation of a Lister Railtruck. The distinctive Lister parts are available in 7 1/4 inch gauge as Colin...
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Locomotive Competition Win

Posted by Rupert Connor on Sunday, July 3, 2016, In : Locomotives 


Rupert's first attempt at locomotive building was for an entry into the competition run by the Facebook minimal gauge railways group. To see the 'rules' visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/MinimalGaugeRailways/permalink/1040142009371113/  His friction drive design, now named 'Imp' won the competition. A write up of the construction and parts list can be found in the files section of the Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/MinimalGaugeRailways/fesil/ and will more information b...
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Petrol-electric conversion

Posted by Rupert Connor on Monday, April 4, 2016, In : Locomotives 
Testing our petrol-electric conversion. After Helen's gearbox failed we decided to use the same general arrangement as Colin Edmondson's 'Scamp' design. Two identical electric motors are used. The petrol engine drives one motor, making it a generator. This generator motor is connected to the other (driving) motor via a reversing switch and PWM speed controller. Thus speed and direction control is provided without the need for a mechanical gearbox. Many thanks to Colin for his advice an...
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Night Train

Posted by Rupert Connor on Thursday, November 5, 2015, In : Locomotives 
Our first bit of running after dark. Putting a magnetic backed LED light on the metal radiator grille gave enough light to see where we were going on a Halloween night that was a lot darker than it appears in this picture



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New buffer beams for Helen

Posted by Rupert Connor on Sunday, April 26, 2015, In : Locomotives 
Recently we decided it was time to replace Helen's banana shaped buffer beams and wonky buffers. Previously the buffer beams were made of poor quality knotty softwood, and one of the front buffers was particularly squint because we had failed to notice that the bolts that hold them in place (not positioned by us!) were not in line. We hope you will agree the new steel buffer beams are an improvement.

Before


After


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A Really Useful Engine

Posted by Rupert Connor on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, In : Locomotives 
'Helen' has proved to be a 'Really Useful Engine' with her built in walking stick holder. Imagine how annoying it is when you need to use a walking stick, only to find you have left it somewhere back down the line. No such problems with this engine!


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Helen's Facelift

Posted by Rupert Connor on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, In : Locomotives 
Read about and see how Karen re-designed and (with Ruari's help) rebuilt the bodywork of our diesel engine No.5 'Helen' in the newly added cosmetic changes section on the locomotives page.

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