Garden Railway Forum

It's been a while since I posted anything about ongoing projects. All sorts of things have got in the way - most notably family matters. However, I always keep an eye open for a bargain so, when this neat little 45mm gauge HGLW loco came up on eBay, I simply couldn't resist
I like the way HGLW loco chassis are supplied with a simple yet effective pulley-driven 4wd system as standard. As you can see, this came with plenty of additional weight.
The first job will be to replace the non-rechargeable AA cells with 14500 li-ions and install radio control to replace the forward/reverse manual control which it has at present. Once that's achieved, I'll have a go at enhancing the body-work.

Rik

Looks like a good deal, Rik. I've aways liked those little steeple cab electrics. It's already your color and everything!

Thats not a bad 25 quids worth. Well done for spotting it. I must admit that I used to keep an eye on evilbay but seem to have lost the habit, perhaps I'd better start again.

Nice to see another sister to my Mochyn.
I couldn't get rechargeable batteries in mine with radio gear and one of your 'greeting card' sound cards, so I plumped for a permanent tool wagon, which I don't think looks out of place. Using a pair of 18650s, it will run all day and then some - I didn't realise at the time that Li-po were also available AA sized. I might have to have a power overhaul!
As originally built, she was a good match for yours... And with the power and RC enhancements... Oh, also, I had a lot of problems with the HGLW power train (probably my fault for expecting too much from such a small engine), so eventually mounted the body on a Swift Sixteen power bogie instead. No problems with hauling power since.

Thanks folks
I've been trying to find some photos of real locos of a similar design to act as inspiration when adding details. Not many around as far as I can see.
Rik

My HGLW loco - an LB1 - was Moel Rhos' first is still the most used. Same chassis. I do really like that steeple cab, have been sorely tempted many times.

This is not that similar - not even narrow gauge - but it's one of my favourites:



The Hellingly Hospital loco will be my inspiration if I get one!

ge_rik wrote: ↑Thu Feb 22, 2024 5:21 pm
I've been trying to find some photos of real locos of a similar design to act as inspiration when adding details. Not many around as far as I can see.

Not overly keen on the blue one but the tatty looking greenish-grey one really grabs me...what is it's origin?

philipy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 22, 2024 6:24 pm
Not overly keen on the blue one but the tatty looking greenish-grey one really grabs me...what is it's origin?

It's German, from the 30s... Here's a page that has some info:
https://hansonmechanical.wordpress.com/ ... w2-planes/

The other one is French, a Coferna I think. I've seen it modeled once before in 16mm and I didn't care for it at first, but it's kind of grown on me.

The steeplecab electric also reminds me of this model on Thingiverse which has been on my to-print list for a while: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3849520

philipy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 22, 2024 6:24 pm

ge_rik wrote: ↑Thu Feb 22, 2024 5:21 pm
I've been trying to find some photos of real locos of a similar design to act as inspiration when adding details. Not many around as far as I can see.

Not overly keen on the blue one but the tatty looking greenish-grey one really grabs me...what is it's origin?

Yes, me too. The blue one looks a bit too slick for my railway.

I'm just trying to figure out what might be under the two bonnets. Presumably, a diesel engine will be under the front bonnet, so what would be under the rear one - a spare engine, fuel tank, gearbox, the driver's butties?

Rik

The only steeple cab IC locomotives I'm aware of were the two Crossleys used by Dorman-Long on the Sydney Harbour bridge contract. They only vaguely resemble the HGLW model, but there is a photo and drawing in the article in Light Railways #133 on this link.

http://media.lrrsa.org.au/kabo133/Light ... ys_133.pdf

Steeple cab locos were usually straight electrics, but English Electric built standard gauge battery electric locos that look a bit like the model and they could conceivably have built a narrow gauge version.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... bition.jpg

I'll leave you to come up with a reason why one of your online industries would need a battery powered locomotive....

A battery electric has the advantage you don't need to squeeze a sound system into the limited available space, as the drive already makes the right noises.

Graeme

Don't need a sound system?

I suppose you could animate the driver's arm, to ring a bell?


Phil.P

Phil.P wrote: ↑Thu Feb 22, 2024 11:55 pm Don't need a sound system?

I suppose you could animate the driver's arm, to ring a bell?


Phil.P

Not as silly as it sounds. I once made a small centre cab with the driver and lights that were directional.

I once saw a video of a Simplex loco where the driver's head swivelled when it changed direction. I think it must have been on the 16mm Assoc Facebook page - I can't find it on YouTube.

Rik

A few more centre cab diesels for inspiration

Rik

If there is a centre cab that a few people like then I "may" CAD one up and gift it on here? (maybe )

In the middle of doing a Hunslet Steam loco at the moment, similar to the Stephen one I did but in 32mm instead of 45mm.

ge_rik wrote: ↑Fri Feb 23, 2024 8:43 am A few more centre cab diesels for inspiration

RSSB+OK+centre+cab+diesel-750303465.JPG (348.12 KiB) Viewed 1135 times

Rik

I do kinda like this one so far, easy to do in 32m and 45mm

-steves- wrote: ↑Fri Feb 23, 2024 10:11 am If there is a centre cab that a few people like then I "may" CAD one up and gift it on here? (maybe )

In the middle of doing a Hunslet Steam loco at the moment, similar to the Stephen one I did but in 32mm instead of 45mm.

I've been playing about with the grotty looking German one that Rik posted a pic of at the beginning of this thread. More for intellectual (!!! ) interest than anything. I'm TRYING to see if AI can do anything to help convert the 2D pic to 3D, but don't hold your breathe, I'm not getting very far atm.

philipy wrote: ↑Fri Feb 23, 2024 10:39 am I'm TRYING to see if AI can do anything to help convert the 2D pic to 3D, but don't hold your breathe, I'm not getting very far atm.

I would fully expect the "AI" to give it an odd number of wheels

philipy wrote: ↑Fri Feb 23, 2024 10:39 am

-steves- wrote: ↑Fri Feb 23, 2024 10:11 am If there is a centre cab that a few people like then I "may" CAD one up and gift it on here? (maybe )

In the middle of doing a Hunslet Steam loco at the moment, similar to the Stephen one I did but in 32mm instead of 45mm.

I've been playing about with the grotty looking German one that Rik posted a pic of at the beginning of this thread. More for intellectual (!!! ) interest than anything. I'm TRYING to see if AI can do anything to help convert the 2D pic to 3D, but don't hold your breathe, I'm not getting very far atm.

I quite like that one too. See what happens with AI, but definitively not holding my breathe.