mickoo
Western Thunderer
A UK replacement in 1:43.5 (approx ) scales out at 2'-6" or 30" for US 1:48th 33" wheels.
Roxey do some steel diesel wheels at 2'-8" with a thread width (code) of 0.145...ish which scale out in 1:48 to 35" wheels (approximately).
Given the cheapness, local (in a global sense) availability, lack of VAT/customs/postage from the US, then the extra 2" in diameter is something I might just be able to live with. In real terms an extra 1.06 (rounded up) mm in diameter.
I already have a set of ball races but the I/D is 2.0 mm and Roxey steel wheels (there's five sizes in their range with the screw on wheel) have axle ends at 1.96 mm. May opt to turn them down and sleeve with some thin bore tube.
The truck frames are fully articulated, too much in all honesty and the sides wobble and cant over, need to find a way to take a lot of the slack out, may even loose the springs (under nourished compared to 1:1) and fit more detailed ones, no need for the full five nest set up, the outer three should suffice visually.
The side frame twisting may well come from worn axle bearings, won't really know until I pull one apart shortly. The trucks are detailed enough as they stand to add more, they're quite exposed under the tender so some brake gear and rigging is in order, maybe not full rigging (tempting just for the hell of it).
Replacement truck wheels required are eight 33" wheels, one 36" wheel and one 45" wheel, the drivers I think I'm really stuck with, I don't see any realistic way of slimming them down and not damaging some detail, maybe a bit off the back face but that's your lot I reckon.
PSC do have some wheels, they do the 33" and 36" with blunt end axles but no idea of diameter, the added bonus is the tapered axle they have in the middle, easily seen on the tender axles as they are quite exposed.
I've not checked NWSL yet though, PSC was an idle check after looking for tender castings. I'm trying to find some oil (spade handle type) isolation valves.
The biggest priority now though is a layout, I've a rough idea in my head bouncing between a city type depot, typically LA in style for architecture, love that 30's look to bridges and buildings; or in the wilds, Dunsmuir, Keddie, Thistle with rocks, cliffs, fir trees etc.
Must have a bridge somewhere and water, hard asks given the small space I have.
Motive power is simple, SP, UP, DRG (not a big fan of ATSF) in the mid/laye 50's and location is probably fictional somewhere in California where everything is a mandatory oil burner, that simplifies your coal and ash facilities but limits any coal burners I'd like to add, UP nines or Big Boys spring to mind; it does also seriously limit your DRG fleet.
The turntable is limited to 100', primarily due to domestic space (plus its the only one I have drawings of) but also as a challenge and limit to larger locos, they can always be turned on a wye off scene.
Having said that I have seen photos of larger engines being turn with the use of track skates/jacks/ramps. Big boys were turned at Denver on their 100' table. I do have a cunning plan to fit something like that to the end of the table, a sort of lifting section right at the rear to tip the end of the tender up to clear the rail head.
Track plan is simple, depots are not complicated, anywhere from three to five straight lines converging toward the table pit but I want to add at least one crossover and a spur for the bypass line used by diesels. The quest now is what size switch to use #6 is too small for an articulated engine, a #8 or #9 is better but added length makes them hard to fit in confined spaces.
Right, time to sharpen the pencils
Roxey do some steel diesel wheels at 2'-8" with a thread width (code) of 0.145...ish which scale out in 1:48 to 35" wheels (approximately).
Given the cheapness, local (in a global sense) availability, lack of VAT/customs/postage from the US, then the extra 2" in diameter is something I might just be able to live with. In real terms an extra 1.06 (rounded up) mm in diameter.
I already have a set of ball races but the I/D is 2.0 mm and Roxey steel wheels (there's five sizes in their range with the screw on wheel) have axle ends at 1.96 mm. May opt to turn them down and sleeve with some thin bore tube.
The truck frames are fully articulated, too much in all honesty and the sides wobble and cant over, need to find a way to take a lot of the slack out, may even loose the springs (under nourished compared to 1:1) and fit more detailed ones, no need for the full five nest set up, the outer three should suffice visually.
The side frame twisting may well come from worn axle bearings, won't really know until I pull one apart shortly. The trucks are detailed enough as they stand to add more, they're quite exposed under the tender so some brake gear and rigging is in order, maybe not full rigging (tempting just for the hell of it).
Replacement truck wheels required are eight 33" wheels, one 36" wheel and one 45" wheel, the drivers I think I'm really stuck with, I don't see any realistic way of slimming them down and not damaging some detail, maybe a bit off the back face but that's your lot I reckon.
PSC do have some wheels, they do the 33" and 36" with blunt end axles but no idea of diameter, the added bonus is the tapered axle they have in the middle, easily seen on the tender axles as they are quite exposed.
I've not checked NWSL yet though, PSC was an idle check after looking for tender castings. I'm trying to find some oil (spade handle type) isolation valves.
The biggest priority now though is a layout, I've a rough idea in my head bouncing between a city type depot, typically LA in style for architecture, love that 30's look to bridges and buildings; or in the wilds, Dunsmuir, Keddie, Thistle with rocks, cliffs, fir trees etc.
Must have a bridge somewhere and water, hard asks given the small space I have.
Motive power is simple, SP, UP, DRG (not a big fan of ATSF) in the mid/laye 50's and location is probably fictional somewhere in California where everything is a mandatory oil burner, that simplifies your coal and ash facilities but limits any coal burners I'd like to add, UP nines or Big Boys spring to mind; it does also seriously limit your DRG fleet.
The turntable is limited to 100', primarily due to domestic space (plus its the only one I have drawings of) but also as a challenge and limit to larger locos, they can always be turned on a wye off scene.
Having said that I have seen photos of larger engines being turn with the use of track skates/jacks/ramps. Big boys were turned at Denver on their 100' table. I do have a cunning plan to fit something like that to the end of the table, a sort of lifting section right at the rear to tip the end of the tender up to clear the rail head.
Track plan is simple, depots are not complicated, anywhere from three to five straight lines converging toward the table pit but I want to add at least one crossover and a spur for the bypass line used by diesels. The quest now is what size switch to use #6 is too small for an articulated engine, a #8 or #9 is better but added length makes them hard to fit in confined spaces.
Right, time to sharpen the pencils
Last edited: