During a recent clear out of my "mancave", I discovered an Arnold loco, which looks and behaves like new. So good and knowledgeable people, what would be a suitable 009 loco kit to fit on it please? I know I could bash a Dapol Pug or scratch build something, but I was thinking more in white metal medium to give it some weight naturally. Etched Brass or plastic need any cavity to be filled with lead, but if there is a suitable body kit out there, I would certainly consider it, a preference for a UK style rather than European or US.
I look forward to your thoughts/ideas.
Tod
Tod, Langley make a few white metal kits have a look at them. Remove the centre axel and your 0-6-0 becomes a 0-4-0.
I've only built one white metal kit and it was a lot of work to get the parts to fit together well. I glued the kit. I have white metal solder but was not brave enough to take the plunge.
Robin.
Thanks Robin for your suggestion. I hadn't thought to remove the centre wheels. With no con rods, will that not interfere with the drive train gears?
I have made many white metal kits, so very familiar with that medium. I too have used cyno glue every time and shied away from soldering, though I can do it. Some of my early efforts are 50 years old and still hold together, except one, a tram, which took a nose dive off a layout onto a wood floor! Even so, it was rebuilt to survive to this day. Only some of the more delicate parts were written off.
But back to subject, I have a Parkside Dundas loco on a Minitrix chassis, built again, many years ago. I believe that kit may still be available, but I will have a look at your suggestion. The chassis is such a nice runner, it deserves a decent body on it. Mind you, I could say that about me!!!!? Actually, I don't run, but the latter is true!
Tod
Quote from: Tod Sloan on May 02, 2020, 09:37I hadn't thought to remove the centre wheels. With no con rods, will that not interfere with the drive train gears?
No.
If you turn the loco upside-down you can spin the centre axle round, also you will see that the gears are only on the outer two axles, the middle axle freewheels. Hence you can take it out without affecting the running of the loco.
https://www.spurweite-n.de/NDBPics/Arnold/5501--4.jpg
Quote from: Tod Sloan on May 02, 2020, 09:37
Thanks Robin for your suggestion. I hadn't thought to remove the centre wheels. With no con rods, will that not interfere with the drive train gears?
I have made many white metal kits, so very familiar with that medium. I too have used cyno glue every time and shied away from soldering, though I can do it. Some of my early efforts are 50 years old and still hold together, except one, a tram, which took a nose dive off a layout onto a wood floor! Even so, it was rebuilt to survive to this day. Only some of the more delicate parts were written off.
But back to subject, I have a Parkside Dundas loco on a Minitrix chassis, built again, many years ago. I believe that kit may still be available, but I will have a look at your suggestion. The chassis is such a nice runner, it deserves a decent body on it. Mind you, I could say that about me!!!!? Actually, I don't run, but the latter is true!
Tod
Hi tod
Here is a link to my remotored old armnold. You are fortunate yours is a good runner.
https://youtu.be/LZDP8dy6ZSk
Hello Tod,
Regarding your original question about what kits might be suitable for this chassis, which I don't think has been answered yet (!) I don't know about current whitemetal kits but of the older ones, which still turn up both made (in many variations of quality!) and unmade in Society Sales, the Gem Varikit (original type) was made to suit either this chassis or the smaller Minitrix dock tank/T3 and both the original Peco Jeanette and James were made for this chassis. Any of these 3 suggestions would provide a good "home" for your chassis if you are able to source the kits!
There will be loads more I'm sure, but this is offered as a starter - and possibly to get your thread back onto the intended topic!
It might be worth dropping an email to Society Sales (see 009 News page 2) asking if they have what you are after in stock. I realise they are no longer able to to run "wish lists" but I'm sure you will get a response to a straight query if they have anything in stock that will meet your requirement for the chassis.
Good Hunting!
Mick
Thanks Mick, very useful info. I should have thought that myself, so I have a few avenues to search now, the more the merrier!
Tod
The Arnold 5501 should be the version with the plastic valve gear that looks like this:
(https://www.spurweite-n.de/NDBPics/Arnold/5501--1.jpg)
(Originating web page: https://www.spurweite-n.de/ncontent/ndb/ndb-artdetails.asp?ID=614&ToShow=0&ShowState=2)
There were earlier versions with more basic metal valve gear and a later version with improved valve gear, all but the first version made in 1964 have the same chassis, it is just the valve gear that is changed.
Unfortunately you will find that the wheel flanges on all but the vary last ones produced are too large for Peco 009 points. The result is the loco will lift up slightly on the plastic at the base of the point frogs causing the loco to stall at slow speeds. To cure this problem I always turn the wheel flanges down on these chassis and the Arnold 0-4-0's, others file the points a bit deeper. However some have no problems at all so it is worth testing your chassis in the points you have at slow speed to see how it gets on first, if it runs ok and does not stall then there is no need to do anything.
I would also avoid using feedback controllers, KPC's for example, with these Arnold chassis as when run at slow speeds for a period of time the motors tend to overheat and can burn out as a result.
The following White Metal kits were designed to use the Arnold 0-6-0 Chassis:
Chivers Finelines/Five79 RC14 NWNGR 'Snowdon Ranger'.
Langley L1 Darjeeling Himalayan B Class Tank 0-4-0. (Remove the unpowered centre wheels.)
GEM 9006 Talyllyn Railway 'Dolgoch' 0-4-0 (Remove the unpowered centre wheels.)
Peco 'James' kits made before 1998. (I think?) (Later kits were modified to use the GF 0-6-0 chassis.)
Peco 'Janette' Kits made before 1998. (I think? ) (Later kits were modified to use the GF 0-6-0 chassis.)
Peco 'Varikit' Older version in Peco packaging. (The version B that is available now is for the Minitrix 0-6-0.)
There was also a very nice Merker & Fisher H0e kit that used this chassis, but they came complete with the chassis. These went out of production over 20 years ago now.
Thanks Brian, that's the one I have. Your comments regarding Peco point frogs is something I hadn't thought about, not having a working layout yet. However I have the means to set up a test rig that includes pointwork. I've only run it on a straight piece of track so far. So once I've tested it fully I can report back. I have a few other projects on the go, not to mention "domestic interruptions" from SWMBO! So priorities will dictate progress.
Tod
I have given it a good test at variable speeds through Peco points, both the long and shorter types and the loco had no problems at all. Happy with performance out of the way, the onward search for a body kit can be progressed now. Thanks for all the advice folks, much appreciated.
Tod