Man power (or should that be child power)

A place for discussing diverse methods of powering locomotives, such as Internal Combustion, Wind, etc...
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DaveWatkins
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Man power (or should that be child power)

Post by DaveWatkins » Fri Sep 20, 2013 6:54 pm

The broad gauge section of the Birches Barn Light Railway now has a human powered locomotive. Here it is during running trials this evening.

Image

I have had an old kids bike cluttering up the garage and then the workshop for several months. I have been thinking of making a pump trolley or velocipede. I finally got around to it yesterday afternoon and merged bits of bike and some extra chain and sprockets with a four wheel driving truck that I no longer use.

There is still a bit of work to do. I feel I ought to shield the chains from little fingers. The pedals could do with changing or modifying to make simple crank handles.
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Post by METHSSNIFFER » Fri Sep 20, 2013 6:58 pm

Nice one! The latest exercise bike, Bradley Wiggins has been on the track!

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Post by laalratty » Fri Sep 20, 2013 8:51 pm

Now that is something I'd like to see at the Joys of Life Railway where I run my 5 inch gauge loco, although whether any of the volunteers have enough stamina to get up the 1 in 40 grades.....! :lol:
"What the hell is that?"
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Post by MDLR » Fri Sep 20, 2013 9:22 pm

There was one of these at Echills Wood when it was at Stoneleigh - It was more recumbent than yours. I remember a mate of mine and I going round the circuit on it (complete with single line staff). I wonder if they've still got it?
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Post by DolwyddelanLightRail » Fri Sep 20, 2013 9:27 pm

laalratty:89257 wrote:Now that is something I'd like to see at the Joys of Life Railway where I run my 5 inch gauge loco, although whether any of the volunteers have enough stamina to get up the 1 in 40 grades.....! :lol:
I'd give it a go! :lol:

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laalratty
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Post by laalratty » Fri Sep 20, 2013 9:31 pm

DolwyddelanLightRail:89263 wrote:
laalratty:89257 wrote:Now that is something I'd like to see at the Joys of Life Railway where I run my 5 inch gauge loco, although whether any of the volunteers have enough stamina to get up the 1 in 40 grades.....! :lol:
I'd give it a go! :lol:
With a couple of coaches in tow, with some people in? :P I would say with Paul in one of the coaches too but that would be unduly harsh... ;)
"What the hell is that?"
"It's a model icebreaker sir."
"It's a bit big isn't it?"
"It's a full scale model sir....."

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Post by steamie1 » Fri Sep 20, 2013 9:53 pm

British invention at it's best!

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Post by DaveWatkins » Sat Sep 21, 2013 1:15 pm

And here is a video clip of it in action:-


http://youtu.be/MWzVogDahdE
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Post by tom_tom_go » Sat Sep 21, 2013 2:46 pm

If only you had dual track then I could see some racing going on! ;)

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