Just to say that the 0-4-0 is not forgotten, although I have started the electric traction engine I have been doing some small jobs on the shunter. My aim is to complete it over the winter and have it ready for its first outing early spring.

Ron

Thanks Phil, if I had more shop time, the shunter could have been finished by now..lol

I am a very early riser, I,m usually in the workshop each morning by 5.30am and normally get 3 hours before breakfast, then the happenings of the day take over but most days I get a couple of hours in the afternoon.

I think going with electric does make them much quicker to build though Phil, they are nothing like as complex as steam locos. Even an electric powered scale diesel is relatively simple in comparison. I am a beginner and I am learning but I cant ever see me having the skills that you guys have in building scale steam loco,s, static engines, clocks etc, I think its just beyond me.

So I guess electric models makes things a lot easier, hence the little shunter and traction engine. I can see an end to them, it would be pointless me trying to build say a scale traction engine, it would never get finished and I would get fed up with it, but thats just me.

Ron

The loco is ready for its first run (well, assuming it does) I still have a few detail jobs to finish but nothing stopping a test, so next weekend is the plan. A picture below of the control panel I have built in with a central power switch and a push horn button below. Top left is the fwd/rev switch with power light below and then the volt/amp meter. The speed control is via the rotary knob on the right but I plan on making up a brass throttle lever with end stops to replace it. Should the running turn out to be ok I will add a lighting set and the switches will live in the space above the throttle.

Will let you know how I get on next weekend, I,ve got my fingers crossed.

Hi Bazyle,

When it comes to the grand children driving I will be able to reduce the travel on the throttle lever, I hadnt thought of them switching straight into reverse though so will have to lock that plus I dont have a breakaway chain.

Ron

I think you could be spot on there Dave, when I read the manufacturers website they gave an example of the possible problem. They took an identical pair of Graupner 12 volt 900 series motors which when wired in parallel to a 12 volt supply they performed as expected with no faults. However the same two motors wired in series from a 24 volt supply did not perform well and lost most of their torque, that is why I have gone with the 4 motors all in parallel but we will see.

Anyway the little loco is ready for the track, still some bits to do but nothing stopping a test run. I have given it some light weathering to dirty it up a bit and take away the just finished look.

Quite looking forward to taking it to the track and giving it a try.

p.s. Forgot to say 25 kgs AUW which I am hoping will be ok for traction though I am wondering if the suspension springs are a bit on the light side.

Edited By Ron Laden on 17/04/2019 11:09:30

Thanks Jeff/Jason

I think traction engines with the low gearing are ideal for electric drive, though electric is not the norm and they are quite rare beasts. Like yourself Jason I have more than one project on the go and as well as the T/E I have the beginnings of another loco chassis which I made a start on last year so I will be busy. The T/E is longer term though as there is much more work than in an electric loco which tend to be quite simple in comparison.

Ron

You mean a bit like Thunderbirds..? ….lol

Made up a simple throttle lever, looks a bit more in keeping than a plastic knob.