Hi Guys
I know Backwoods kits come with everything required, but there's no way I have the skills necessary to build the chassis and running gear. (Hell I might not even manage the rest of the kit ::) )
So I was wondering if there's a suitable RTR chassis out there that I could use instead? (I've not got the kit yet, just thinking ahead).
Failing that I guess it's find someone to build it for me. (Unless someone out there has one for sale? ;D )
Thanks
Regards, Brian.
Quote from: BrianP on January 14, 2012, 11:06
Hi Guys
I know Backwoods kits come with everything required, but there's no way I have the skills necessary to build the chassis and running gear. (Hell I might not even manage the rest of the kit ::) )
So I was wondering if there's a suitable RTR chassis out there that I could use instead? (I've not got the kit yet, just thinking ahead).
Failing that I guess it's find someone to build it for me. (Unless someone out there has one for sale? ;D )
Thanks
Regards, Brian.
Well it is technically possible, both the late David Rhind and Ian Turner built model NGG16's before the introduction of the Backwoods Kit. I don't wish to dampen your enthusiasm, but the necessary adaptations to two suitable commercial N gauge chassis will also require a high skill level. and are not to be undertaken lightly.
Subcontracting the building of a Backwoods NGG16 would also be expensive, and depending on the builder could cost anything from
Just a suggestion; if you wanted a Garratt that was not specifically a NGG 16 you could try Paul Windle, who has built several Garratts for 009 to order. From memory he has done a Sierra leone 2-8-0+0-8-2, the Arakan 0-6-0+0-6-0, a Celon 2-4-0 type and an NGG11. I can't recall what I paid for my Sierra Leone loco but by the time I had got the chassis it probably worked out the same as the Backwoods kit.
Thank you, you've both been very helpful.
On a related note. I understand for Paul Windle you need to own the chassis already? So what chassis would you recomend for a NG11 or Sierra leone 2-8-0+0-8-2?
Thanks again.
If you want to build a large Garratt and you don't trust yourself building one in brass, consider using styrene. I would compromise and use two six-coupled N gauge chassis. The Sierra Leone Garratts had inside frames, so that wouldn't be too difficult. You could use either two re-motored Minitrix 2-6-2 chassis, or two old style Graham Farish 08s as a start.
The tank and bunker units, especially with an NGG11, can be built up as square boxes using 1mm styrene, around the Farish body (cut short to allow for a pivot), which leaves the boiler/cab unit to be made rather like a conventional loco. The main challenge is to find a good point on the chassis for the pivots. I would put most of the weight in the tank and the bunker. I suggest to give it a try!
Many years ago I myself built a Garratt using mainly styrene, but with a brass boiler and some brass parts, using... the Minitrix dock tank chassis! If I'd do it again I'd go for something slightly larger wheeled. http://www.009dutch.nl/cdr/main/foto/motivepower/loco/pict2063.jpg (http://www.009dutch.nl/cdr/main/foto/motivepower/loco/pict2063.jpg).
Quote from: BrianP on January 18, 2012, 09:52
Thank you, you've both been very helpful.
On a related note. I understand for Paul Windle you need to own the chassis already? So what chassis would you recomend for a NG11 or Sierra leone 2-8-0+0-8-2?
Thanks again.
Oh dear! Both these designs utilised the "old" style Bachmann N gauge chassis, the American 2-6-2 and 2-8-0 tender locos respectively, the ones sold in the white cardboard boxes with red and black lettering. Because of the design of these chassis, Paul was able to devise a very cunning method of articulation, that is certainly not per the prototype but is cunning enough to fool most of the people most of the time.
Regretably it's just not possible with the redesigned ( and upgraded ) chassis from Bachmann as their design precludes repeating Paul's method of articulation. So unless you have these old style chassis in stock, it is unlikely that Paul will ever be able to build further NG11's or SLGR Garratts again.
All is not lost however. If you are prepared to accept a freelance Garratt, it is perfectly feasible for Paul to be build a 0-6-0+0-6-0 Garrattt inspired by the Ceylon Government 2-4-0+0-4-2 Garratt, using two of the Avalon Line 0-6-0 chassis. Paul did one for me last year, it's still awaiting painting so hasn't been on show much.
It would certainly be less expensive than having a Backwoods NGG16 built professionally. And Paul does an excellent job.
Oh dear indeed! Good advice Garry, many thanks. Those Avalon 0-6-0 chassis are excellent pieces of work; nicely engineered and smooth running. I bought two with this idea in mind as soon as they were available - I'd seen where the pivot could go! Unfortunately when I trialled then, I discovered very quickly that they hated my layout. The flanges would climb the rails on my tight corners and they'd derail so I had to re-cycle them through Brian. Darned shame but that's what you get if you design your railway around Egger rolling stock and you're not prepared to undertake track renewals... :-[
Must be some really fierce curves somewhere in the system then David! I also got 2 of the Avalon/Chinery 0-6-0 chassis a while ago when they first became available - intended for the power units for Meridian Kitson's. These go round 9 inch radius curves on my boards without protesting.
Mick
Gauge narrowing on old track? ;)
Ted's got it in one. Gauge narrowing on old track. The main problem is the bridge over the Nant Ffernol where the track is unballasted. I have two curves in the yard of 6 inch radius - they haven't budged over the last 36 years and are short enough to not give problems. Moral? A bit of gauge widening and cant are worth considering!
Quote from: garrywhiting on January 18, 2012, 10:47
Quote from: BrianP on January 18, 2012, 09:52
Thank you, you've both been very helpful.
On a related note. I understand for Paul Windle you need to own the chassis already? So what chassis would you recomend for a NG11 or Sierra leone 2-8-0+0-8-2?
Thanks again.
Oh dear! Both these designs utilised the "old" style Bachmann N gauge chassis, the American 2-6-2 and 2-8-0 tender locos respectively, the ones sold in the white cardboard boxes with red and black lettering. Because of the design of these chassis, Paul was able to devise a very cunning method of articulation, that is certainly not per the prototype but is cunning enough to fool most of the people most of the time.
Regretably it's just not possible with the redesigned ( and upgraded ) chassis from Bachmann as their design precludes repeating Paul's method of articulation. So unless you have these old style chassis in stock, it is unlikely that Paul will ever be able to build further NG11's or SLGR Garratts again.
All is not lost however. If you are prepared to accept a freelance Garratt, it is perfectly feasible for Paul to be build a 0-6-0+0-6-0 Garrattt inspired by the Ceylon Government 2-4-0+0-4-2 Garratt, using two of the Avalon Line 0-6-0 chassis. Paul did one for me last year, it's still awaiting painting so hasn't been on show much.
I know that the 'old style' Bachmann chassis are not easy to get, but I would have thought that a wants request to Brian Guilmant would turn some up eventually*, and Ian Turner's artcile in a recent 009 News suggests a cure for the dreaded "Bachmannitis" (aka "split muff disease") so I would not write the idea off totally if you are prepared to wait.
To answer your question BrianP, the Sierra Leone 2-8-0 uses a pair of the old style Bachmann 2-8-0 chassis (Paul fits a new front pony truck along with the articulating gear). As far as I know the NGG11 uses the same chassis (I have only seen the one that Paul did for Stan Williams or Roger Christian) and Paul removes one of the axles and extends the axles to make the 2-6-0 power units. He may even have swapped the cylinders from one end of the chassis to the other as new outside frames have been fitted - perhaps someone can confirm this, as I only saw the loco once.
The other thought with respect to the Avalone line chassis that has just occured is that the Sierra Leone 2-8-0 Garratts were built as 2-6-2 Garrats and I wonder if by adding pony trucks to the Avalon chassis one coud have one of the 'un-rebuilt' locos?...
* I have at least 3 of them in my stash which will probably find their way to Paul for something eventually ;D
Thanks everyone, you've been really useful.
You've got me thinking, which is never a good idea. ;D
Regards, Brian