Alternative Power

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:39 pm

Not sure where to post this but still.

Just wondering if anyone has tried any different method for powering locos other than steam or battery. For example solar or wind up.

Was pondering with the idea of attaching solar cells to a lollypop tram but not sure it would get enough current.

pauly · Post by **pauly** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:42 pm

weird

Iv just sent a PM regarding the start up of a new forum section titled alternative power to replace the I/C thread which hasnt been used for a year.

SillyBilly · Post by **SillyBilly** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:20 pm

You're in the revised section now!

laalratty · Post by **laalratty** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:25 pm

Well i've got a good alternative, a hot air engine. It uses cylinders as per a steam engine but insted of steam, hot air is used to push the piston. The air is heated by a little gas torch and the expansion of the air pushes the piston, and this starts the engine moving, as part of the process 2 smaller cylinders push cool air into the heating cylinders.
I've probebly not explained it well, a scratchbuilt 45mm guage version can be seen on one of the episodes of The Garden railway, the TV series that featured on one of the discovery channels (i've got the whole series on DVD)

steamyjim · Post by **steamyjim** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:35 pm

I may experiment with a hot air engined loco at some stage...a man is donating me a reversible hot air engine so I shall see how that works and have a go at my own.

Solar power is also another source of power i'd like to have a go at.

Another form the WLR will be using is water...as the WLR will be based on a 18th-early 19th century industrial railway there will be all manner of inclined planes and disused tramways... wouldn't it be great to have a water wheel driven inclined plane!

pauly · Post by **pauly** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:38 pm

laalratty wrote:Well i've got a good alternative, a hot air engine. It uses cylinders as per a steam engine but insted of steam, hot air is used to push the piston. The air is heated by a little gas torch and the expansion of the air pushes the piston, and this starts the engine moving, as part of the process 2 smaller cylinders push cool air into the heating cylinders.
I've probebly not explained it well, a scratchbuilt 45mm guage version can be seen on one of the episodes of The Garden railway, the TV series that featured on one of the discovery channels (i've got the whole series on DVD)

I almost bought that loco last year when it turned up on ebay.

mhlr · Post by **mhlr** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:53 pm

I've seen it done. Tried it once too. AIR POWER.

Those little propellor thingys with the air canister that powers a turbine to turn the prop. Strap it to a flat wagon, get a long level or downhill straight section of track and wala!

steamyjim · Post by **steamyjim** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:04 pm

mhlr wrote:I've seen it done. Tried it once too. AIR POWER.

Those little propellor thingys with the air canister that powers a turbine to turn the prop. Strap it to a flat wagon, get a long level or downhill straight section of track and wala!

Another thing I saw....you get a little light 0-4-0 chassis. Stick a plastic drinks bottle on top with electric motor and a fan stuck in the front. Decorate with suitable areoplane decorations and give it a witty name such as Spritefire

riveresk · Post by **riveresk** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:07 pm

I now want to see photos of people building these engines and running them.

laalratty · Post by **laalratty** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:09 pm

steamyjim wrote:
mhlr wrote:I've seen it done. Tried it once too. AIR POWER.

Those little propellor thingys with the air canister that powers a turbine to turn the prop. Strap it to a flat wagon, get a long level or downhill straight section of track and wala!
Another thing I saw....you get a little light 0-4-0 chassis. Stick a plastic drinks bottle on top with electric motor and a fan stuck in the front. Decorate with suitable areoplane decorations and give it a witty name such as Spritefire

somebody has seen Chris Mackenzies creation havn't they

, the Tizer Moth (saw it running on the Timpdon lake railway at the Lytham show a few weeks ago, unfortunatly I didn't take a pic cos I didn't take my camera)

steamyjim · Post by **steamyjim** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:15 pm

laalratty wrote:somebody has seen Chris Mackenzies creation havn't they , the Tizer Moth (saw it running on the Timpdon lake railway at the Lytham show a few weeks ago, unfortunatly I didn't take a pic cos I didn't take my camera)

Yup, I was talking to him about it at Warley...it was unamed at the time. I came up with Spritefire...but I have to say Tizer Moth is better

SillyBilly · Post by **SillyBilly** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 11:21 am

http://www.timpdon.co.uk/timpdon/tlr/lo ... ?x=65&y=16
5 locos up from the bottom.

Aizoon · Post by **Aizoon** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 11:35 am

I've promised myself that I will build a clockwork loco, but the Round Tuit has been delayed by horrendous weather conditions or, as we say in English, bad weather.

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 11:39 am

Aizoon wrote:I've promised myself that I will build a clockwork loco, but the Round Tuit has been delayed by horrendous weather conditions or, as we say in English, bad weather.

Have you seen this site?
http://ca.geocities.com/clockworkpage@rogers.com/

made-in-england · Post by **made-in-england** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 1:34 pm

if I coult source a Wind up hornby loco thats in need of TLC id think of bashing it about to make a little desiel outline engine!

Aizoon · Post by **Aizoon** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 2:32 pm

Chris wrote:Have you seen this site?
http://ca.geocities.com/clockworkpage@rogers.com/

Facinating! Not this Rogers, by the way

ferrysteam · Post by **ferrysteam** » Fri May 08, 2009 10:06 pm

What about a politician powered engine.They talk a lot of hot air.

......Allan.

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Sat May 09, 2009 6:00 am

ferrysteam wrote:What about a politician powered engine.They talk a lot of hot air. ......Allan.

But it is what they talk out of that puts me off!

Nobel200 · Post by **Nobel200** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 1:21 am

I bought a cheap solar powered educational toy which has lead to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfmT8yMp ... ature=plcp

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:58 am

Nobel200:69611 wrote:I bought a cheap solar powered educational toy which has lead to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfmT8yMp ... ature=plcp

Nice one sunshine!

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