Quote from: uscgtanker on August 26, 2013, 06:33:38 PM
One question for you is did you use a pre exciting boiler or scratch.

The boiler is scratch build, using a 80mm PCV pipe.
The steam dome is made with an half-sphere, molded in polyurethan resin on a 40mm Xmas tree ball. The cylindrical portion is a PVC pipe. Both parts are fitted with epoxy putty together and on the boiler body.
The spherical portion of the steam box door is also molded on a Xmas tree ball (much larger) and glued on a circular 1.5mm styrene sheet.

All rivets are cutted in rod strip of styrene (1.2, 1.6 and 2.0mm) and glued on to the boiler and the body of the locomotive. Thousands of rivets for for long winter evenings...

Francois

The garratt is track powered. I hardly changed anything on the trucks, except for a few cuts to adapt to the chassis and the couplers.
I don't know how much drawbar pull. It pulled 5 accucraft cars without any problem and I think it can do much better but I didn't test.
The boiler frame is articulated on the trucks with 3mm screws in 4mm brass pipes. The front articulation permits 3 rotations (like a ball joint), the rear one permits only 2 rotations: the rotation around longitudinal axis (as same as the "roll" of a ship) is blocked. Then the middle frame has a 3 point suspension and has the "roll angle" of the rear truck.

The model is free lance. I imagined an american locomotive built in France.

Francois

Hi all

Here are some pics of the new Garratt Locomotive I've built this year.
The model is at 1:20.3 scale.
The trucks come from 4-6-0 steam locomotives.
The bodies and the frames ara mainly made of styrene sheets and strips, and PVC pipes.
The figures are made of resin.
Length OA : 43" (1.10 m)
Width : 5.1" (13 cm)
Height : 8.5" (21.5 cm)

More pics on the Brest Mini Rail website if you clic on both pics below.

Francois

Amp of power has no consequence on the loco, only voltage.
Your loco consums only amps it needs.
If voltage is to high (and then speed is to high too), it can damage your motor.
But I think that Annie tolerates 18V.

If necessary, replacement motor is available on spare parts Bachmann website :
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_69_148&products_id=574

Sorry for my very poor english

Hello everybody

Last week I modified couplers height on my Big Haulers cars :
98570 20' wood ore car
95770 20' low side gondola

Couplers of both are now 8 mm higher and compatible with Spectrum Fn3 rolling stock.
These modifications are very easy.

Some more pics on my website. Just clic on pics below.


Francois

Thanks for answers.
I have extra lower couplers with all Spectrum cars, but I prefer keep couplers at upper height, I think it looks more realistic.
I will have a look at kadee website.
I did'nt know that kadee couplers are compatible with Bachmann

I'd like very much a Spectrum Fn3 Garratt...

Hello

I've just baught the fantastic three-truck Shay.
This is a great locomotive but I have a little problem with :
Couplers are too much low for Spectrum Fn3 cars.

Does anybody know how to increase there height ?

Thank you for your help

Francois

Superthanks for superfast answer.
This is a very long steam engine !!!

Francois

Hello

I would like very much include the wonderfull K-27 to my indoor layout, but I don't know if it can turn on my turntable.
Then, I need help for few measures :
- overall length of the loco including tender and couplings,
- wheelbase (dist. between front wheels axles of the loco and rear wheels axle of the tender)

Thanks for help

Francois