Faller Railbus re-gauging and restoration.

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Andrew
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Post by Andrew » Mon Jun 03, 2013 5:24 pm

Looking great, like the colour scheme. I may be inspired to run an evening railcar service myself when I get home...

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Post by SpudUk » Mon Mar 31, 2014 11:02 pm

Sorry to regurgitate this article (blame Andrew), but in the absence of Busted Bricks, what would you good chaps recommend for metal wheels?
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Post by MDLR » Mon Mar 31, 2014 11:21 pm

SpudUk:98684 wrote:Sorry to regurgitate this article (blame Andrew), but in the absence of Busted Bricks, what would you good chaps recommend for metal wheels?
Why, Houstoun Gate Locomotive Works, of course - they've taken on the Busted Bricks range!
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Post by SpudUk » Mon Mar 31, 2014 11:23 pm

MDLR:98687 wrote:
SpudUk:98684 wrote:Sorry to regurgitate this article (blame Andrew), but in the absence of Busted Bricks, what would you good chaps recommend for metal wheels?
Why, Houstoun Gate Locomotive Works, of course - they've taken on the Busted Bricks range!
I did think that but couldn't find their wheels on the website
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Post by MDLR » Mon Mar 31, 2014 11:43 pm

A phone call may work wonders!
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Post by SpudUk » Mon Mar 31, 2014 11:43 pm

At 11.43 at night I'm not sure it would :P
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Post by jay1976 » Tue Apr 01, 2014 4:36 am

it would david(hglw owner) was on facebook alking o me at 2am..

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Post by pauly » Tue Apr 01, 2014 9:47 am

A regauged railcar with an aut shuttle unit Iv had sitting round for years would be perfect for my tram line just going back and forth between the 2 stations!
A steam propelled life-style.

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Post by SpudUk » Tue Apr 01, 2014 1:45 pm

Hey Folks,

Can I just clarify how you've battery powered it?
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Post by Andrew » Tue Apr 01, 2014 9:09 pm

Mine was already battery powered - they made both. I did have a Faller track powered diesel loco though - as far as I recall I just disconnected the wires to the track pick-ups and connected them to a bunch of batteries instead, via a DPDT switch mounted in the top. That was about 10 years ago and I've kind of lost touch with even basic electronics since then, but I think it was easy enough. I ran it off 9V rather than 12...

The good thing about your version is that it's got nice metal treads - the battery ones have red plastic wheels which shed paint a little too readily on contact with rails...

Cheers,

Andrew.

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Post by McRuss » Tue Apr 01, 2014 9:57 pm

I don't know if the railcar was offered by Faller as a battery operated one. But the Steam and Diesel loco where both offered as 12 V track powered and battery operated. The track powered ones are sold under the E-Train label while the battery powered ones are sold under the PlayTrain label.

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Post by jay1976 » Tue Apr 01, 2014 10:23 pm

yes the railcar is offered as battery powered the batterys sit underneath the railcar..4 C size batterys..I fitted radio control to mine to make it easier to control on other lines..

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Post by SpudUk » Wed Apr 02, 2014 8:32 am

I've got two, one has metal wheels, one doesn't. Haven't had an opportunity to take it apart yet but will do. How much running time do you get from 4 C batteries?

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Post by jay1976 » Wed Apr 02, 2014 10:15 pm

dunno I got mine running on 4AA batterys with he rc and get 4 hours mixed running with it..

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Post by dhippey » Fri Apr 04, 2014 11:05 am

SpudUk:98689 wrote:
MDLR:98687 wrote: Why, Houstoun Gate Locomotive Works, of course - they've taken on the Busted Bricks range!
I did think that but couldn't find their wheels on the website
Hi Guys,

Wheel sets are available from HGLW http://www.hglw.co.uk
They are not on the website at the moment. But I just have a new stock in.

Usually they come made up, two wheels to an axle. But I can also supply not assembled if you prefer.

PM or email if you are interested. HGLW@EagleAssist.com
(You may even catch me on Facebook at some odd hour too, eh Jay)

Regards,
David H.

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Re: Faller Railbus re-gauging and restoration.

Post by markoteal » Thu Mar 30, 2017 9:59 pm

Well - I wasn't really looking for one - but look whats cropped up at the CHLR
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A quick find on flea bay

Video to follow of it on test on the line - the railcar is now in the works being dismantled - I won't post a piece by piece restoration as its been covered here in great detail but I'll try and post odd pictures of interesting moments
Where did I put that uncoupler?

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Re: Faller Railbus re-gauging and restoration.

Post by TonyW » Fri Mar 31, 2017 9:14 am

I've got a three car set. They are mounted on ex-Lima diesel loco bogies, with one car powered. All three carry 3 x AA batteries to get the required voltage, with jumper cables between each car. Radio control came from a £12 r/c car bought in Lidl.
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Re: Faller Railbus re-gauging and restoration.

Post by markoteal » Fri Mar 31, 2017 1:49 pm

Wow great examples and inspiration - was thinking CHLR green and cream - at the mo, will go for a repaint and then get back into service - then over time move to new bogies and RC

I was pleased how easy it comes apart - its solidly built but a great opportunity to personalise - taking the front windows out is the most heart stopping mo - but we managed it

Heres the video I promised of the test run pre works

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2t1EOB5jgo[/video]
Where did I put that uncoupler?

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Re: Faller Railbus re-gauging and restoration.

Post by markoteal » Thu Apr 20, 2017 1:04 pm

Ok - CHLR works has output their latest restoration - the Faller Playtrain Railcar - name tbc

Management decided on a fairly plain and simple 'brand' green ( inline with other battery locos operating on the line) with gold whiskers.

Internally seating has gone to the same colour - with cream being used on the lower half of the interior to add a little light

The driving consoles have been painted and the unit is now driven by Bill and Ben, the Railcar men - both of who had to have their lower legs removed to fit in

Destinations boards have been added - the original lights have been re-installed but are probably the first thing I will look to upgrade.

Currently using the original control method (now painted black) but will probably goto RC when I can save up for a receiver to go in her (unless i try the cheapo LED light control method I've seen elsewhere

The only casualty of the restoration (apart from the Drivers legs :roll: ) was one of the windows - because I'd added a couple of layers of cream paint, the allowance to get the windows back in was reduced - I managed all but one ...sadly that snapped under my fingers accompanied by great amounts of swear*!*!*!ing - so a piece of clear perspex was acquired an fitted in its place

Overall pleased with it - a nice little project for in-experienced modellers like me! £16 plus paint & a couple of hours in total - spread over a few evenings

We will test her over the coming days with the aim of introducing onto morning and late evening timetabled services
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Where did I put that uncoupler?

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Re: Faller Railbus re-gauging and restoration.

Post by jim@NAL » Tue Apr 25, 2017 9:50 pm

that's very nice good colour too

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