John Carmichael Posted June 19, 2016 Share Posted June 19, 2016 https://www.flickr.com/photos/jlcarmichael/10211408574/in/photostream/ Here's something a little different. These are propeller driven locomotives I designed using model airplane motors, push propellers, flatcars, and Gary Raymond dual ball bearing low friction wheels. These run on conventional dc track power and they are the fastest locomotives I own. The dual ball bearing wheels are important especially to get them moving from a dead stop. Once they start moving, I must be careful not to give them too much power or they can travel too fast and derail on tight curves. When going down a hill or when approaching a tight curve, I reverse the current and the propeller spins in reverse and acts like a break to slow the vehicle down. I modeled them loosely upon an old 1909 photograph of the prototype's proud inventor. When I run them, I disable the remote's momentum control so I have faster acceleration and deceleration response when needed. When going downhill, they actually act more like roller coasters. It is a completely different experience running these since they respond so differently from wheel driven engines. It takes a bit of practice, but it's easy once you get the hang of it. The small one only cost me about 30 dollars to make. 00004.MTS00004.MTS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry B44 Posted June 19, 2016 Share Posted June 19, 2016 Neat work John. I had one of the LGB ones for awhile and it was fun. I always thought it would be fun to build the Bennie Railplane in my basement. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2154361/The-REAL-flying-Scotsman-120mph-propeller-driven-Railplane-left-inventor-dreamed-revolutionising-commuting-1930s-Britain-penniless.html I have a PDF I got someplace on building one, if anyone wants a copy. PDF's from Scotland: http://www.nas.gov.uk/downloads/DD17-117-2-1.pdf http://www.nas.gov.uk/downloads/DD17-117-2-2.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Carmichael Posted June 30, 2016 Author Share Posted June 30, 2016 Here's something that you've probably never seen. For sale on Ebay is a Märklin 16075 Gauge One Rail Zeppelin! Supposedly it is new and unopened. But I'm a little suspicious of its condition because of the lack of good photographs. Go to Ebay and scroll down for description. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Virgin-Marklin-16075-Gauge-One-Rail-Zeppelin-Never-opened-VERY-RARE-G-Gauge-CooL-/301973370231?hash=item464f03f577:g:QHQAAOSw3xJVeKum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.png.a4fb2273837361b3bbaa7a1d8a4c8996.png){kind=logo}
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.