Garden Railway Forum

Peter Butler wrote: ↑Sun Jan 25, 2026 10:18 am That's really useful information Graeme, thank you I'm grateful for your time.

Glad it helped.

I was intrigued by the idea of modelling that sort of contraption. I'll be interested to see what you make of it.......

Graeme

If you're looking for a really tricky chain-driven challenge, one of these Fordson tractor conversions on a re-gauged 3ft6in 4-6-0 leading bogey would make a unique loco - provided it's not done in the usual "ertl tractor body plonked on a G scale motor block" manner..

That's a great project Aaron, I would love to take it on... however, the die cast tractor models are not cheap enough, even if available, to butcher, unless they have already had a life! The only affordable ones are the ERTL range which you obviously dislike. Also, although a small tractor, 1:16 scale would be a large model.
My concern would be taking the chain drive from the axle to the bogie, the original tractor wheels would be far wider gauge than my 2' track gauge and might look odd?

Serv-O-Link manufacture Delrin chain..

The problem with supply, has been that their production premises were flooded, I am led to believe..

Phil.P

Peter Butler wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 7:19 pm That's a great project Aaron, I would love to take it on... however, the die cast tractor models are not cheap enough, even if available, to butcher, unless they have already had a life! The only affordable ones are the ERTL range which you obviously dislike. Also, although a small tractor, 1:16 scale would be a large model.

Do you have a bff who owns a 3D resin printer? There are STL files online for printing a Fordson model F and I'm lead to believe that they can be modified to print at different scales........

Peter Butler wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 7:19 pm My concern would be taking the chain drive from the axle to the bogie, the original tractor wheels would be far wider gauge than my 2' track gauge and might look odd?

The Caledonian Colliery tractors mentioned by Aaron were as far as I know built to 2' gauge, with the wheels mounted inside the frames of the recycled 3'6" bogie frame. Normal practice in Aust with these tractor conversions was to either shorten, or completely remove, the original tractor rear axles and fit a sprocket.

This photo of the rusting remains at Woodford shows the chain drive arrangment. This design of rail tractor had the axles shortened and a chain drive on each side under a cover.

https://angrms.org.au/cpages/fordson.pdf

Graeme

Graeme, I do know several friends who have 3D printers and have made me items in the past. Previous posts have thrown up ideas to build a logging 'tug' with a Fordson tractor mounted on a narrow gauge wagon chassis. My request for a 3D Fordson has been made and quietly 'filed' so I will send a reminder.
Also, thanks for the photo link, that is useful too.

Sounds like a plan.....

If you want a trip down the rail tractor rabbit hole, run a google search using 'Fordson rail tractor' as the search term. You'll find more ways of running Fordsons on rail than you can poke a stick at.

Graeme

Peter Butler wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 7:19 pm That's a great project Aaron, I would love to take it on... however, the die cast tractor models are not cheap enough, even if available, to butcher, unless they have already had a life! The only affordable ones are the ERTL range which you obviously dislike. Also, although a small tractor, 1:16 scale would be a large model.
My concern would be taking the chain drive from the axle to the bogie, the original tractor wheels would be far wider gauge than my 2' track gauge and might look odd?

Oh I've no problem with the ERTL models themselves - in fact I'd love one..

So my memory fails again, I thought they were 1:18..

The axle unit/wheel gauge issue is the one I'm looking at with my 1:18 Model T railmotor conversion. No easy way around that if you want to model a prototypical drive arrangement - it'd take some tricky re-engineering of a diecast axle unit to make it functional, hence my above comment about it being a real challenge to model accurately..


Don't give me ideas, Graeme, I have far too many projects already - possibly including (well down-list) a "cossie" resto of the better of the two ANGRMS Fordsons..

The image shown at the top of page 183 shows a vintage road vehicle design for an articulated tractor unit (car) and trailer. This gave me the idea of transferring the trailer from road to rail use with one of the converted radio cars as its power source. Work on this project has been shown on previous pages and has now reached cosmetic conclusion...
The trailer is detachable by a keyhole 'fifth wheel' device allowing the power unit to travel light or haul another load if ever I get around to building one..


The trailer's road wheels are raised for rail travel with hidden flanged wheels set between them. There is also a jockey wheel set so that the trailer can be lifted from the tow vehicle awaiting collection by a road unit.
No... they don't work!

Just to fill the space I have fitted two additional artillery wheels to the 'car' in case of puncture on the trailer.... why not?

A unique model, Peter. Beautifully crafted!

Rik

That looks great . I like how you have modelled the 5th wheel hitch, and the colour really suits it.
Chris.

Brilliant!

More pre-war goodness.

Old Man Aaron wrote: ↑Fri Jan 30, 2026 10:35 pm More pre-war goodness.

Thanks Aaron, you make a happy man feel very old!

Another new scratch-build has hit the workbench. I found a vacant space in my storage shelves, so why not?
This is a subject I have been interested in for so many years but never thought how to represent it on my railway. Now I feel I have a cunning plan to do so.
Firstly, the main structure, very simple and basic.... It will incorporate some of these, which my son made for me with his laser cutter.

Keeping us in suspenders, Peter? My guess would be circus livestock waggon.

Travelling post office?

Rik

This should help...

Excellent. A showman's living van . Must admit my initial thoughts were along the lines of a bullion van .

Chris

Spot on Chris.

Some more detail to complete the appearance of elaborate carving and gilding usually associated with such period pieces.
I just couldn't resist the temptation to build it as companion to my 'Morgan the Organ'.
Included is a typical clerestory roof.... (let's not go through that again!)